ABSTRACT

We examined blanks during powdering processes for thirty-three trace elements using ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). Quartz sand was used as target of powdering with grinding mills of several kinds: an agate hand mill, agate ball mill, Fe hand mill, alumina ceramic hand mill and artificial crystalline quartz hand mill. The results show that the artificial crystalline quartz hand mill is the purest grinder among the analyzed ones. This grinder is suitable for soft rock samples such as limestone. The alumina ceramic hand mill can reduce contamination, except for Cs, W and Pb. The agate hand mill and the agate ball mill introduce contamination whose level is depending on the individual device due to heterogeneity of the natural agate. The Fe hand mill introduces contamination of some siderophile elements such as Mo and W. The results of this study emphasize careful choice of a grinding mill for sample pulverizing.