X-ray fluorescence determination of ore elements in ferromanganese formations

Elemental analysis of ferromanganese formations (first, determination of the ore elements) is a necessary stage in the development of ore deposits. A technique for X-ray fluorescence quantitative determination of iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc in oceanic ferromanganese formations (nodules and crusts) is proposed. The study was performed on wavelength-dispersive spectrometer S4 Pioneer (Bruker AXS, Germany) with LiF (200) crystal and scintillation detector. To plot the calibration curves, sets of certified reference materials of ferromanganese nodules, cobalt-bearing ferromanganese crusts and pelagic sediments, previously dried for 24 hours at 105°C to remove hygroscopic moisture were used. Two sample

preparation techniques were compared: pressing of powder samples on a boric acid substrate and homogenization by fusion with lithium tetraborate in a ratio of 1 : 30 in an electric furnace at 1050 °C. For each sample preparation technique spectral overlaps and matrix correction methods (theoretical and empirical) were considered and optimal calibration curves for determination of ore elements were selected. The accuracy of the X-ray fluorescence technique was assessed in analysis of a certified reference material FeMn-1 and reference ferromanganese nodule sample using atomic absorption spectrometry on an M403 spectrometer (PerkinElmer, USA). Both homogenization by fusion and analysis of pressed samples provide quantitative X-ray fluorescence determination of the main ore elements and can be used to assess the industrial significance of oceanic ferromanganese formations.

oceanic ferromanganese formations, Co-bearing ferromanganese crusts, ferromanganese nodules, X-ray fluorescence analysis, correction of matrix effects, fundamental parameter method, atomic absorption spectrometry

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