Variability of XRF and AAS analyses from the Rock Geochemical Laboratory of the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland

Abstract

Chemical analyses by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) have been monitored since 1990 by five internal standards. Diagrams of the variability over nine years show that analytical data for major elements, Cr, Cu and V have been stable over the entire period, while data for Ni, Rb and Sr have been stable since 1993. Results for Ba, Zn and Zr have lower precision, but have maintained the same general level. Analysis of international reference material shows that nine of the trace element determinations are accurate or can be adjusted by simple arithmetic to match the recommended values for the reference material.