Geothermal Fluid Analysis by ICP Spectroscopy and Ion Chromatography: a Preliminary Assessment

Abstract

Two new instrumental techniques described in the literature of the mid-seventies, appear to be ideally suited for the analysis of geothermal fluids. Inductively-coupled argon plasma spectroscopy and ion chromatography (IC), are both capable of rapid multi-element analyses on small sample volumes over a wide concentration range. Ion chromatography, which borrows heavily from the technology of high pressure liquid chromatography, is the only method available for multi-element anion analysis. ICP is an emission spectroscopy technique and is more suited for the analysis of metal ions and metalloids B and Si). techniques are described in detail. A preliminary assessment using a variety of New Zealand geothermal waters indicates that ICP and IC, under the proper operating conditions, are capable of providing rapid analyses for all but a few of the components normally determined in geothermal samples.