Determination of major and minor ions in brines by x-ray fluorescence spectrometry: Comparison with other common analytical methods

A method is presented for the determination of major and some minor ions (C l-, SO42-, Br-; Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Sr2+) in marine pore waters. X-ray flu orescence spectrometry provides the possibility of analysing large numbers of samples within a short time interval (5 min per sample) using a simple s ample preparation. Calibration graphs were obtained from diluted salt or st andard solutions. The precision and accuracy were found to be comparable to those of common titrimetric, colorimetric, spectrometric and ion chromatog raphic methods which are generally used for such matrices. Copyright (C) 19 99 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.