Optimization of digestion parameters for analysing the total sulphur of mine tailings by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry |
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Authors: | Raquibul Alam Julie Q Shang Xiangrong Cheng |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada |
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Abstract: | The oxidation of sulphidic mine tailings and consequent acid generation poses challenges for the environment. Accurate and
precise analysis of sulphur content is necessary for impact assessment and management of mine tailings. Here, the authors
aim at developing a rapid and easy digestion procedure, which may analyse and measure the total amount of sulphur in mine
tailings by using inductively coupled plasma. For evaluating effects of several variables, the researchers used a univariate
(analysis of variance (ANOVA)) strategy and considered factors such as composition of the acid mixture, heating time, and
refluxing device to optimize the performance. To do the experiment, the researchers have used two certified reference materials
(KZK-1 and RTS-2) and samples of tailings from Musselwhite mine. ANOVA result shows that heating time is the most influencing
factor on acid digestion of the reference materials whereas in case of a digestion of tailings sample, hydrochloric acid proved
to be the most significant parameter. Satisfactory results between the measured and referenced values are found for all experiments.
It is found that the aqua regia (1 ml HNO3 + 3 ml HCl) digestion of 0.1 g of samples after only 40 min of heating at 95°C produced fast, safe, and accurate analytical
results with a recovery of 97% for the selected reference materials. |
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