Instrumental neutron and photon activation analyses of selected geochemical reference materials

Ten selected rock reference materials (USGS diabase W-1, basalt BCR-1, andesite AGV-1, granite G-2, granodiorite GSP-1, and CRPG basalt BE-N, granite GS-N, trachyte ISH-G, serpentine UB-N, glass standard VS-N) were analyzed by instrumental neutron and photon activation analyses. The results have been evaluated on average for the entire set of samples to detect possible systematic deviations of the determined values from the reference values. Out of 47 elements determined, 43 elements have been determined with reasonable agreement (deviation < 10% on average) with the reference values. Au could not be determined because of a high blank from packaging polyethylene foil. Systematically higher Dy and lower Ho and Tm (by about 20% on average) in the present results require further investigation. In several cases, reasons for greater differences between the determined and recommended values could not be traced in the procedures used within the study. The most suspect is the recommended value for W in the CRPG BE-N basalt, which is twenty-five times higher than the present value, probably due to inconsistent contamination from a W carbide mill used in production of this reference material.