Handbook of Exploration Geochemistry, Volume I: Analytical Methods in Geochemical Prospecting focuses on the principles, methodologies, approaches, and techniques employed in geochemical prospecting. The book first underscores quality control in the laboratory, sample preparation, sample decomposition-solution techniques, and colorimetry and related techniques. Discussions focus on colorimetry, turbidimetric methods, strong decompositions, partial extractions, preparation of rock samples, random and systematic errors, and quality control program. The publication then takes a look at atomic absorption spectrophotometry, emission spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence. Concerns cover instrumentation, operation of the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, flame emission spectroscopy, semi-quantitative DC-arc spectroscopy, and plasma sources. The text examines electrochemical methods, including determination of pH and specific ion electrodes. The publication is a dependable reference for researchers interested in the analytical methods in geochemical prospecting.

Written for the practicing analyst, Analytical Methods for Geochemical Exploration offers thoroughly tested chemical analysis methods for determining what base or precious metals are in geochemical exploration samples, such as rocks, soil, or sediment. Theory is kept to a minimum and complete procedures are provided so that no additional sources are needed to conduct analyses.

Written for the practicing analyst, Analytical Methods for Geochemical Exploration offers thoroughly tested chemical analysis methods for determining what base or precious metals are in geochemical exploration samples, such as rocks, soil, or sediment. Theory is kept to a minimum and complete procedures are provided so that no additional sources are needed to conduct analyses.

Analytical methods used in the Geologic Division laboratories of the U.S. Geological Survey for the inorganic chemical analysis of rock and mineral samples.

A compilation of trace and semimicroanalytical methods of yielding semiquantitative data on geologic materials useful in geochemical prospecting for ore deposits.

Handbook of Exploration Geochemistry, Volume 2: Statistics and Data Analysis in Geochemical Prospecting aims to survey the techniques available for the quality control of laboratory data, storage and retrieval of field and laboratory information, statistical analysis of single- and multi-element data, and presentation of geochemical data as maps. The selection first elaborates on data storage and retrieval, control procedures in geochemical analysis, and univariate analysis. Discussions focus on analysis of variance, density distribution, probability graphs, statistical basis of analytical quality control, laboratory control procedures, data storage media, data organization, programming considerations, and generalized data systems. The book then takes a look at sampling methodology, mapping, and multivariate analysis. Concerns cover correlation, cluster analysis, regression, partial correlation, class selection techniques, map filtering techniques, cross-correlation maps, strategies for optimum sampling design, and search techniques. The manuscript elaborates on examples of geochemical data processing in Africa, mathematical and statistical activity in North America, statistical models for geochemical anomalies, geochemical characterization of tin granites in northern Thailand, and use of pattern classification methods in till geochemistry. The selection is highly recommended for researchers interested in statistics and data analysis in geochemical prospecting.

Trace element analysis plays a prominent role in various fields, from mineralogy and geology to semiconductor manufacture and foods. In geochemical exploration, the analysis of trace elements assumes high significance due to the multifaceted role played by them. The analyte is at the detection limit of many instrumental techniques. This makes their determination difficult This book covers a wide spectrum of destructive and non-destructive analytical techniques and recent developments in them used all over the world, including developing countries, for quantitation of trace elements. With revolutionary progress in the last three to four decades in analytical techniques, several ICP-based techniques like ICP-OES and ICP-MS and other nuclear analytical techniques have enabled determination of trace elements at the ppb level. However, these methods require expensive instrumentation and cannot be made available everywhere. The quality of analytical data is dependent on valid reference standards. The book contains detailed sample preparation in varying matrices and an important chapter on statistical treatment of analytical data for the purpose of quality control and quality assurance. Pulling together, the book, containing the work carried out by the author’s group in India, will be useful to analysts involved in geochemical explorations.