Quantitative multielement analysis of geochemical and cosmochemical samples using spark source mass spectrometry

Spark source mass spectrometry is a useful method for the chemical analysis of geochemical and cosmochemical samples. The technique is highly sensitive (limit of detection between 0.001 ppm and 0.1 ppm) and allows the simultaneous determination of about 70 major, minor and trace elements. With the help of electrical ion detection and multielement isotope dilution on solid and dissolved samples, a precision of better than ±5 % is obtained for many elements. The measured concentrations are in good agreement with literature data.