DETERMINATION OF PLATINUM, PALLADIUM, RUTHENIUM, RHODIUM, AND IRIDIUM IN ULTRABASIC ROCK FROM THE GREAT DYKE OF ZIMBABWE BY INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA-OPTICAL EMISSION SPECTROMETRY

Platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, and iridum were determined in ultrabasic rock from the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The limits of detection for these elements were less than 7 ng/g. The samples were fused at 1100 degrees C to separate the noble metals which were enriched into a nickel sulfide button and dissolved in hydrochloric acid. The insoluble noble metals were filtered, dissolved in aqua regia in a boiling water bath, and determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. This method was employed for the characterization of large quantities of ultrabasic rock from the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe.