Multi-Element Determination of Trace Elements in Natural Water Reference Materials by ICP-SFMS after Tm Addition and Iron Co-precipitation

We report on an improved method for determining trace element abundances in seawater and other natural waters. The analytical procedure involves co-precipitation on iron hydroxides after addition of a Tm spike, and measurement by inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS). The validity of the method was assessed through a series of co-precipitation experiments, using ultra-diluted solutions of a certified rock reference material (BIR-1). Results obtained for four natural water reference materials (NASS-5, CASS-4, SLEW-3, SLRS-4) are in agreement with published working values for rare earth elements, yttrium, vanadium and, when available, for hafnium, zirconium, thorium and scandium. A set of proposed values with uncertainties typically better than 8% RSD is proposed for Hf, Zr and Th.