DETERMINATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN HUANGLONG TRAVERTINE AND EVALUATION OF UNCERTAINTY BY ICP-MS

ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) and perchloric acid hydrofluoric acid electrothermal plate digestion were used to determine 7 trace elements (aluminum, phosphorus, manganese, iron, copper, strontium, and barium) in Huanglong travertine. The internal standard element was chosen as I15In, and the detection limit of each element method (n=ll) wasO.003~0.2[ig g"1, relative standard deviation (n=7), RSD 6.1%. The measured values of rock and mineral standard samples (GSR-2, GSR-3, GSR-5) agree with the standard values, and the XRF results (n=4) show no significant differences. The uncertainty of travertine determination was assessed, the primary sources of error were highlighted, and the trace element uncertainty was assessed using iron as an example. In the Huanglong world natural heritage site, a new method for determining trace elements in travertine has been developed. The operation is straightforward and quick, with high sensitivity, repeatability, and accuracy. The outcomes are positive.