Book reviews

Abstract

Like the author's previous book, "Rapid Methods of Trace Analysis for Geochemical Application," the present work is intended as a practical handbook for those engaged in the analysis of geochemical exploration samples. Its contents reflect the extensive replacement of colorimetric by instrumental methods that has taken place over the 10 years between the publication dates of the two works. Thus, chapters on atomic-absorption spectrophotometry, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and emission spectrography haw: been included, while colorimetric methods are retained only for bismuth, boron, molybdenum, palladium, platinum, thorium, tin, tungsten and vanadium. Further sections deal with the statistical control of analysis, reagents and coldextraction methods.Presumably the new work is not intended to be read in conjunction with the old, yet some important omissions might lead one to conclude that this was so. In the first chapter, the statistical control of analysis using the statistical series approach is presented in a concise and updated form, yet in the second chapter, on reagents, the list is so brief and selective as to appear complementary to that in the 1966 book. Furither, in the volume under review, no methods of any kind are offered for the important elements chromium, phosphorus, niobium and uranium, save for a mention of a spectrographic detection limit for chromium.The third chapter, on colorimetric methods, includes procedures for the determination of boron, palladium and platinum combined, and thorium, which did not appear in the earlier work, and the other methods have been updated. In view of discussion in the literature of the inadequacy of potassium hydrogen sulphate fusion for the dissolution of molybdenum in certain mineralogical forms, an alkaline fusion procedure might profitably have been included here. Cold-extraction methods are dealt with in the fourth chapter arid here the "handbook" style appears somewhat restrictive. The section would have been improved by some discussion of the particular mineral species dissolved by the recommended reagents.The selection of elements is sound and no exaggerated claims are made. In contrast to the chapter on colorimetric methods, the choice of suitable concentrations for calibration solutions is left to the user. Methods of analysis by X-ray fluorescence for arsenic, selenium, tellurium, bismuth, gold, palladium and platinum are outlined in Chapter 6. Chemical pre-concentration procedures are used in every instance so that a simple instrumental procedure can be used. This approach has certain advantages, although the potential multi-element capability of the technique is sacrificed.It is doubtful whether the final chapter, in which an attempt is made to deal with emission spectrography and direct-reading spectrometry in less than 6 pages, should have been included in such an essentially practical work, Certainly the claim on the back cover that "a technician with no detailed knowledge of the analytical processes involved can readily follow the directions" ...