Multielement analysis of basaltic rock using spark source mass spectrometry

Improvement in the analysis of ashes from coal by spark source mass spectrography

“…The spectral line width is dependent on the ion path length in the magnetic analyzer and is directly proportional to the square root of the m/z ratio. A correction in the calculation of ion intensities should be made for this phenomenon if only peak heights are measured (28,31,36,175,180,185,189,190). Errors caused by line width, space-charge broadening, and other variations in line shape can be minimized by using line area in the calculation of ion intensity (173,175,180,186,187).…”

“…Errors caused by line width, space-charge broadening, and other variations in line shape can be minimized by using line area in the calculation of ion intensity (173,175,180,186,187). The line transmittances should also be corrected for background (28,31,175,190). The sensitivity is limited for low mass ions and the +2 ions of the transition metals by the back ground fog caused by the sample matrix and the graphite in the electrodes (191).…”

“…The choice of the internal standard can affect the precision and accuracy (172,175,178,185,190). A number of criteria for the selection of internal standards have been published (172,175,178,190).…”

“…A number of criteria for the selection of internal standards have been published (172,175,178,190). The accuracy of the determination of the relative sensitivity of this method for elements in a certain sample matrix affects the precision and accuracy of the analysis (28,31,(34)(35)38,(171)(172)(173)(174)(175)(176)(177)(178)(180)(181)(182)185,(188)(189)(190)(192)(193)(194)(195)(196). The relative elemental sensitivity is dependent on the elemental ionization potential (36,38,172,175,176,180,185,189,192), volatility (35,36,38,172,175,176,180,182,185,…”

“…However, these empirical values can be in error by as much as 40-50% (196). Another method of determining the relative elemental sensitivities is by the analysis of standard samples (36,171,172,174,175,177,185,190,192,195,196,(198)(199)(200)(201)(202)(203)(204). The sensitivities are determined by comparison of the experimental values with the "true" values determined by independent methods.…”