Geology topics

R. F. Sanzolone

Publications and source records attributed to R. F. Sanzolone.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

USGS1978

Matrix effects on the determination of manganese in geological materials by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry under different flame conditions

Suppression caused by five of the seven matrix elements studied (Si, Al, Fe, Ca and Mg) was observed in the atomic-absorption determination of manganese in geological materials, when synthetic solutions and the recommended oxidizing air—acetylene flame were used. The magnitude of the suppression effects depends on (1) the kind and concentration of the interfering elements, (2) the type of acid medium, and (3) the concentration of manganese to be determined. All interferences noted are removed or alleviated by using a reducing nitrous oxide—acetylene flame. The atomic-absorption method using this flame can be applied to the determination of total and extractable manganese in a wide range of geological materials without interferences. Analyses of six U.S. Geological Survey rock standards for manganese gave results in agreement with the reported values.

Talanta↗

USGS1978

Flame and flameless atomic-absorption determination of tellurium in geological materials

The sample is digested with a solution of hydrobromic acid and bromine and the excess of bromine is expelled. After dilution of the solution to approximately 3 M in hydrobromic acid, ascorbic acid is added to reduce iron(III) before extraction of tellurium into methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). An oxidizing air-acetylene flame is used to determine tellurium in the 0.1–20 ppm range. For samples containing 4–200 ppb of tellurium, a carbon-rod atomizer is used after the MIBK extract has been washed with 0.5 M hydrobromic acid to remove the residual iron. The flame procedure is useful for rapid preliminary monitoring, and the flameless procedure can determine tellurium at very low concentrations.

Analytica Chimica Acta↗

USGS1978

Analyses of rocks and stream sediments of the Superstition Wilderness, Arizona

The geochemical investigation of the Superstition Wilderness, Maricopa, Pinal and Gila Counties, Arizona, consisted of the collection and analyses of 2269 samples. This included 1231 rocks and 1038 stream sediments. All samples were prepared and analyzed on location during two separate field seasons (fall of 1975 and 1976) by mobile laboratories of the U.S. Geological Survey. Sample localities and analytical results are listed in this report. Samples lie within the following U.S.G.S. topographic quadrangles: Goldfield, Mormon Flat Dam, Weavers Needle, Horse Mesa Dam, Iron Mountain, Pinyon Mountain, Haunted Canyon, and Two Bar Mountain. Locations for all samples are in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates, the X coordinate is the northing value, which ranges from 3,693,000 m to 3,720,000 m and the Y coordinate is the casting value, which ranges from 453,500 m to 500,000 m. Because of limitations of the computer program, the initial digit of the northing numbers has been dropped. Data of rocks are listed on Table 1 and stream sediments on Table 2. The analytical and geologic data were entered into a computer storage system (RASS II) by S. K. McDanal and retrievals were handled by T. M. Billings and George VanTrump. Geochemical sampling was carried out during geologic mapping by a U.S. Geological Survey field party consisting of D. W. Peterson, D. L. Gaskill, M. L. Sorenson, and W. E. Yeend, assisted by Kerwin Stark, N. H. Suneson, and G. D. Johnpeer. Analytical support was given by R. N. Babcock and D. G. Murrey.

Arizona↗

USGS1977

Chemical dissolution of sulfide minerals

Chemical dissolution treatments involving the use of aqua regia, 4 N HNO 3 , H 2 O 2 -ascorbic acid, oxalic acid, KClO 3 +HCl, and KClO 3 +HCl followed by 4 N HNO 3 were applied to specimens of nine common sulfide minerals (galena, chalcopyrite, cinnabar, molybdenite, orpiment, pyrite, stibnite, sphalerite, and tetrahedrite) mixed individually with a clay loam soil. The resultant decrease in the total sulfur content of the mixture, as determined by using the Leco induction furnace, was used to evaluate the effectiveness of each chemical treatment. A combination of KClO 3 +HCl followed by 4 N HNO 3 boiling gently for 20 min has been shown to be very effective in dissolving all the sulfide minerals. This treatment is recommended to dissolve metals residing in sulfide minerals admixed with secondary weathering products, as one step in a fractionation scheme whereby metals in soluble and adsorbed forms, and those associated with organic materials and secondary oxides, are first removed by other chemical extractants.

Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey↗

USGS1976

Atomic absorption spectrometric determination of copper, zinc, and lead in geological materials

An atomic absorption spectrometric method is described for the determination of copper, zinc, and lead in geological materials. The sample is digested with HF—HCl—H 2 O 2 ; the final solution for analysis is in 10 % (v/v) HCl. Copper and zinc are determined directly by aspirating the solution into an air—acetylene flame. A separate aliquot of the solution is used for determination of lead; lead is extracted into TOPO-MIBK from the acidic solution in the presence of iodide and ascorbic acid. For a 0.50-g sample, the limits of determination are 10–2000 p.p.m. for Cu and Zn, and 5–5000 p.p.m. for Pb. As much as 40 % Fe or Ca. and 10 % Al, Mg, or Mn in the sample do not interfere. The proposed method can be applied to the determination of copper, zinc, and lead in a wide range of geological materials including iron- and manganese-rich, calcareous and carbonate samples.

Analytica Chimica Acta↗

USGS1973

Atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of microgram levels of Co, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn in soil and sediment extracts containing large amounts of Mn and Fe

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of seven metal ions in the hydroxylamine extract of soils and sediments. Mn, Fe, and Zn are directly determined in the aqueous extract upon dilution. Co, Ni, Cu, and Pb in a separate aliquot of the extract are chelated with APDC (ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) and extracted into MIBK (methyl isobutyl ketone) before determination. Data are presented to show the quantitative recovery of microgram levels of Co, Ni, Cu, and Pb by APDC-MIBK chelation-extraction from synthetic solutions containing as much as 2,000 ug/ml (micrograms per milliliter) Mn or 50 ug/ml Fe. Recovery of known amounts of the metal ions from sample solutions is equally satisfactory. Reproducible results are obtained by replicate analyses of two sediment samples for the seven metals.

Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey↗