School of Engineering and Science - Jacobs University

1.50 BHVO-2 (n=7)
1.25
JUB / reference average
1.00
0.75
0.50
0.25
0.00
Sc Ti Co Ni Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Cs Ba La Ce Pr Nd Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu Hf Ta W Pb Th U
Figure 22. Accuracy estimation for ICPMS analysis of basalt BHVO-2, where n equals the number of
separate HF-HClO 4 sample decompositions and ICPMS analyses in 0.5 M HCl. Grey bars represent
variability in the calculated ratio that is due solely to uncertainty in the reference average. Vertical
lines represent the variability in the calculated ratio due to the uncertainty of the JUB data, and all data
are presented in App. 1. Of all the CRMs analyzed at JUB, data for BHVO-2 basalt most closely
matches the average reference values, and does so for the greatest number of elements.
interferences would be expected on Co and Ni (from MgCl, AlCl, and CaO(H)), and
to a lesser extent on Nb from FeCl. However, concentrations of Co, Ni, and Nb in
BHVO-2 are significant (46.0, 119, and 17.5 mg/kg, respectively), and major element
interferences do not appear to affect analytical accuracy for Co, Ni, and Nb (Figure
22).
Of the various CRMs analyzed at JUB, data for BHVO-2 most closely
matches the average reference values, and does so for the greatest number of
elements. Of the 32 elements measured, 30 are within ±10% of the reference value,
and 26 are within ±5% (Fig. 22). The excellent agreement between measured and
reference data is attributed to the fact that BHVO-2 contains significantly higher
concentrations of many elements that display ‘poor’ accuracy for a number of CRMs
(e.g., Co, Ni, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Th), and these higher concentrations facilitate
geochemical analyses. Additionally, the numerous published studies for a large
number of trace metals in BHVO-2 ensures a robust dataset for calculating an average
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