Most trace elements can be analysed from powdered samples with the Agilent 4500 ICP-MS. Several digestion methods are employed for different rock types: for basalts and easily dissolved samples an open vessel HF/HNO3 digestion is used (with an additional aqua regia step when sulphides are present), and for granites and samples with refractory minerals a HF/H2SO4 digestion is used with the PicoTrace high pressure digestion equipment. Solution ICP-MS is often complimented with XRF analyses to analyse a wide range of major and trace elements.
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