Quantitative analyses of major and trace elements in geological samples using a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer at Tono Geoscience Center; An Analytical method of whole-rock geochemical composition by 3-mm diameter small spot measurements

Yamamoto, Yusuke; Watanabe, Takahiro   ; Niwa, Masakazu   ; Shimada, Koji   

A long term geosphere stability for geological disposal is evaluated by the past geological environmental changes and modern conditions. Whole-rock geochemical compositions in rocks and sediments are useful information to estimate the past environmental changes and modern conditions. Recently, the portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were installed in the Tono Geoscience Center for rapid and simple whole-rock geochemical analyses (original specification; 8 mm-diameter analysis). In particular, the 3 mm-diameter small spot analysis using the portable XRF was performed for quantitative analyses of small-weight geological samples. In this study, we reported a quantitative method for major and trace elements using calibration curves by standard reference materials, as well as evaluation tests of uncertainty by repeated analyses of the standards measured by the portable XRF (3 mm-diameter small spot analysis). Furthermore, the small spot quantitative analyses by the portable XRF were also applied to fault rock samples that have been analyzed in previous studies.