Uranium, thorium, and potassium analyses using pXRF spectrometry / R.D. Knight, B.A. Kjarsgaard, E.G. Potter, and A. Plourde.: M183-2/8801E-PDF

"The application of portable XRF spectrometry (pXRF) for determining concentrations of uranium (U), thorium (Th) and potassium (K) was evaluated using a combination of 12 Certified Reference Materials, 17 Standard Reference Materials, and 25 rock samples collected from areas of known U occurrences or mineralization. Samples were analysed by pXRF in Soil, Mining Cu/Zn and Mining Ta/Hf modes. Resulting pXRF data were compared to published recommended values, obtained by total or near total digestion methods with ICP-MS and ICP-OES analysis. Results for pXRF show a linear relationship, for thorium, potassium, and uranium (<5000 ppm U) as compared to the recommended concentrations. However, above 5000 ppm U, pXRF results show an exponential relationship with under reporting of pXRF concentrations compared to recommended values. Accuracy of the data can be improved by post-analysis correction using linear regression equations for potassium and thorium, and samples with <5000 ppm uranium; an exponential correction curve is required at >5000 ppm U. In addition, pXRF analyses of samples with high concentrations of uranium (e.g. >1 wt.% U) significantly over-estimated potassium contents as compared to the published values, indicating interference between the two elements not calibrated by the manufacturer software"--Abstract, page 1.

Permanent link to this Catalogue record:
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Publication information
Department/Agency Geological Survey of Canada, issuing body.
Title Uranium, thorium, and potassium analyses using pXRF spectrometry / R.D. Knight, B.A. Kjarsgaard, E.G. Potter, and A. Plourde.
Series title Open file, 2816-7155 ; 8801
Publication type Series - View Master Record
Language [English]
Format Electronic
Electronic document
Note(s) Includes bibliographical references (pages 21-23).
Publishing information [Ottawa] : Geological Survey of Canada, 2021.
©2021
Author / Contributor Knight, Ross David, 1956- author.
Description 1 online resource (23 pages) : colour illustrations + 2 sets of graphs.
Catalogue number
  • M183-2/8801E-PDF
Subject terms Uranium -- Analysis.
Thorium -- Analysis.
Potassium -- Analysis.
Rocks -- Analysis.
Ores -- Sampling and estimation.
X-ray spectroscopy.
Uranium -- Analyse.
Thorium -- Analyse.
Potassium -- Analyse.
Roches -- Analyse.
Minerais -- Échantillonnage et estimation.
Spectroscopie des rayons X.
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