X-RAY-FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS OF SUBMARINE SEDIMENTS BY LOW DILUTION FUSIONS AND MATRIX CORRECTION USING THEORETICAL ALPHA-COEFFICIENTS

X-Ray fluorescence spectrochemical analysis of submarine sediments (Si , Ti, Al, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, K, P, Cr, Sr, Pb, Ni, Zn, Rb, Cu, Y, Mo) usi ng bead samples of low dilution fusion has been performed. Two grams o f sample was fused with 82.2% Li2B2O7, 15% Li2CO3, 2% NaNO3, and 0.8% Nal as a flux. The low dilution ratio {(sample + flux)/sample} of 1.2 was achieved by preoxidation of organic materials in the sediments by heating at 600 degrees C for 5 min. Afterwards, the temperature was ra ised at 1050 similar to 1100 degrees C for 7 min to permit the complet e dissolution of sample in the flux. Limits of detection (3 sigma of b ackground) were Mn 5.3/1.5, Cr 7.0/2.1, Sr 4.2/1.5, Pb 4.7/1.9, Ni 4.6 /1.2, Zn 4.1/1.6, Cu 3.2/2.4, respectively. Exact dilution ratios were able to be obtained from ignition loss and ignition gain without any complicated calculation. The effect of coexisting elements was correct ed with the theoretical alpha coefficient correction method. Accuracy (sigma(d)) was improved in comparison with uncorrected data. The analy tical results of standard samples of Lake Sediment (JLk-1) and Stream Sediment (JSd-1) for the Geological Survey of Japan were in good agree ment with the recommended values. Accuracy with the fundamental parame ter correction (FP) method using one sediment standard sample was a li ttle worse in the determination of trace elements, but the FP-method w as adequate for rapid analysis. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of various submarine sediments and the analytical values wer e satisfactory.