The Determination Of Major And Minor Ions In Brines By X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry: Comparison With Classical Wet Chemical Analysis

R. Wehausen*, B. Schnetger*, H.-J. Brumsack* and G. J. De Lange+

*ICBM, University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, D-26111 Oldenburg, Federal Republic of Germany

+Institute of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Abstract

A method is presented for the analysis of major and some minor ions (Cl^-, SO₄^2-, Br^-; Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Sr^2-) in marine pore waters. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry provides a possibility to analyse large num-bers of samples within a short time interval (5 min per sample) using a simple sample preparation. Calibration curves were obtained from dilut-ed salt or standard solutions. Precision and accuracy are presented and found to be comparable to those of common titrimetric and colorimetric methods which are generally used for such matrices.