A comparative study of analytical methods of trace elements in bauxites and red muds

摘要

Analyses of the bauxites and red muds for this study of trace elements were carried out using different analytical approaches: X-ray fluorescence (XRF), ICP-MS, ICP-MS and NAA, as well as selenium analysis by pre-concentration method followed by neutron activation analysis (NAA). The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the trace element results obtained by these various methods as well as the chemical signatures of several different types of bauxites and some resulting red muds obtained from simulated Bayer extraction. Chemical elements including Rare Earth Elements (REE) and radioactive elements that could be analyzed and their corresponding analytical methods as well as known specific detection limits are described and discussed in this study. The analytical information gathered in the study complements data for Rio Tinto Alcan reference materials available commercially.