Chemical characterisation of galena by ICP-AES/AAS after decomposition with various fluxes and acid leaching of the samples

摘要

Galena is the most widely distributed of the sulphide minerals and the most important of the lead minerals. Literature survey indicates lack of decomposition procedure yielding a single solution for estimation of major and minor constituents of this highly insoluble lead mineral. An attempt has been made to attain the same by using roiled phosphate fluxes and the results compared with the decomposition of the samples with sodium peroxide. The methods have been optimised with respect to most suitable leaching agent, time of leaching, temperature required etc. Aii acid leaching procedure for the estimation of the geochemically significant traces in the sulphide matrix has also been standardised yielding minimum dissolution of lead and quantitative leaching of the traces. Standard lead concentrate sample, CPB-I, was simultaneously analysed to validate the procedure. The accuracy of the proposed method has also been established by determination of some of the elements by two analytical techniques ICP-AES and flame AAS. The reproducibility studies carried out with (n = 5) show the RSD of 2 to 6%.