Analysis of powdered reference materials and known samples with a benchtop, field portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer: evaluation of performance and potential applications for exploration lithogeochemistry

摘要: Powdered international reference materials and samples with previously obtained conventional geochemical data were analysed using a benchtop portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer to test the abilities of pXRF in silicate rock lithogeochemistry. Results from illustrate that can provide very precise for many major, minor, trace elements, generally RSD values 2 O 3 , SiO K O, CaO, Fe TiO MnO±S), base metals (±20 % Cu, Zn), low field strength (LFSE) high elements (HFSE) (±15 RD Rb, Ba, Zr; ±20 Nb). Poor accuracy was MgO, P 5 transition (V, Cr, Ni); Sr shows variable accuracy. Comparison results independent analyses illustrates poor correlation V, Ni, suggesting they have by pXRF. Aluminum (Al ), Zn r c . 0.6–0.7 illustrating reasonable correlation, whereas most other (S, MnO, Co, Pb, Sr, Zr, Nb, U, As, Mo) good excellent between analysis (i.e. >0.80). In addition, >0.8 slopes are close 1 or within 20 ideal, indicating is replicating likely what be methods. Down-hole profiles element ratios replicate geometry ability discriminate type, alteration, mineralization unknown samples. Portable XRF fit-for-purpose useful discriminating lithogeochemical variations related lithology, mineralization. However, should considered preliminary screening tool sample selection not substitute methods (e.g. XRF, fusion ICP-ES ICP-MS), particularly when important economic decisions made such NI-43-101 resource calculations). Supplementary Material: Collated repeat Mining Plus (Table 1) Soil Beam 2) modes. Tables 3-9 contain plots comparing accepted various materials. All tables available at www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18735