High Resolution ICP-MS Determination of Trace Amount of Germanium in Geological Samples

High resolution ICP-MS was applied to the determination of trace amount of germanium in geological samples. Effect of different methods of acid digestion and extraction in geological samples on determination of germanium was discussed. Modes of LR, MR and HR in high resolution ICP-MS were also discussed for the determination of germanium. The sample was decomposed with HF-HNO3 and extracted with HNO3, then determined by MR mode. Detection limit (3s) of the method found was 10 ng·g-1. In the analysis of 10 CRM′s by the proposed method, the results obtained were in consistency with the certified values, with RSD′s (n=10) less than 4.5%.