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[Link] Geochemistry | Technical Note

ALS Method
Au-PATH14L
TM
Water Analysis
TM ALS offers a range of methods suitable for all types
ME-MS14L of naturally occurring water, from the cleanest
ME-MS14TM groundwaters to the saltiest brines. The choice of
ME-ICP15 analytical method is dependent on the elements of
interest and the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water.
a comprehensive element suite. The should be acidified with ultra-pure nitric
TM
ME-MS14 method is also analyzed on acid after filtration to maintain elements
the ICPMS but with higher detection in solution before analysis.
limits and is therefore not as sensitive
If samples are not able to be filtered
to the higher TDS content of waters. The and/or acidified prior to submission
TM
ME-MS14 method is not suitable for please make note of this on the
high metal content samples or those for submission form and select the
environmental monitoring. For brines appropriate preparation code.
the ME-ICP15 method is applicable as
samples are diluted before analysis as a If anions and alkalinity of the water
necessary step to reduce interferences need to be determined a second sample
to increase the method reporting upper should be collected without the addition
limits. This method needs to be used for of acid.
Multi-element package selection samples with TDS over 6%. Field readings
The super trace method ME-MS14L™ For other solutions which do not fall into Ideally water sampling should include
provides a suite of 53 elements and the previously mentioned groups, please physical parameter measurements
is suitable for most naturally occurring contact ALS for alternatives. made at the time of collection as
ground and surface waters with low TDS. these parameters will be useful
Sample preparation
Samples are not diluted before analysis for interpretation of results and
to produce the lowest detection limits Sample preparation requirements will identification of aquifers. Laboratory
possible. For this reason, only samples depend on the information that you physical parameter readings can be
with TDS lower than approximately want to obtain from the analyses. For taken on samples (see method list) but
1% can be introduced to the ICP-MS. concentrations of elements that are many of the parameters (temperature,
For higher TDS samples that are not present in solution, samples should be pH, Eh) change during storage and
brines, method ME-MS14TM provides filtered at the time of collection. Samples transport, even with short hold times.

Fresh Water (low TDS) Brine

ME-MS14LTM ME-ICP15

TM
ME-MS14
Transporting samples to ALS
Samples can be delivered to any ALS location and the samples will be dispatched
to the relevant laboratory for analyses. All water samples should be submitted
in securely sealed bottles (extra tape around lid if necessary) and enclosed in
individual bags to prevent leakage and contamination if spillage does occur.
Samples are best shipped in cooler boxes which are sturdy and allow samples to
be kept cool and out of direct light during transport. Cooler boxes, cold blocks
and sample bottles can be obtained from some ALS locations prior to sampling.
If brines are being used for Li exploration and resource estimation, please note
this on the submittal form so that Li specific reference materials are used. For
more details on the collection of hydrogeochemical samples please see the ALS
technical note: Hydrogeochemistry for Exploration.

ALS Method Code Description

Ultra-trace Au analyses on low (<1%) TDS waters.
Au-PATH14L™ This method uses specific ICP-MS tuning to
determine the lowest detection levels for Au.

Super-trace level analyses of low (≤1%) TDS water

ME-MS14L™ for 53 elements by a combination of ICP-MS and
ICP-AES.

Trace level analyses for moderate (<6%) TDS

samples. 47 elements are reported from 50ml
ME-MS14™
solutions run on ICP-MS. Overlimit samples are
analysed by ME-ICP14 on the ICP-AES.

Intermediate to high level analyses of 26 elements

in brine samples by ICP-AES. Brine samples can be
ME-ICP15 submitted either filtered or raw. This method is
used for all water types but is the only method for
water with >6% TDS.

Physical parameters (pH, conductivity, total

Li-BrPKG
dissolved solids) and alkalinity on brine samples.

Physical parameters (pH, conductivity, total

MS14L-ANPH™ dissolved solids), alkalinity and anions (Br, Cl, F, NO3,
SO4) on water.

Rare Earth Element analyses on surface and

MS14L-REE™ ground water. Only available as an add on to the
MEMS14LTM water method.

Pb isotopic analyses on water. Only available as an

MS14L-PbIS™
add on to the ME-MS14LTM water method.
 LOWER DETECTION LIMITS
ANALYTE Au-PATH14L™ ME-MS14L™ ME-MS14™ ME-ICP15
µg/L µg/L µg/L mg/L
Au 0.0002 0.002
Ag 0.005 0.005 0.06 0.5
Al 3 0.02 mg/L 5 Right Solutions • Right Partner
As 0.2 0.05 2 5 [Link]
B 3 20 5
Ba 0.05 0.5 0.5
Be 0.005 0.3 0.05
Bi 0.01 0.1
Ca 0.02 mg/L 0.2 mg/L 10 GEOCHEMISTRY CLIENT SERVICES
Cd 0.005 0.1 0.2
Australia/Asia — Brisbane
Ce 0.005 0.1
T +61 7 3243 7222
Co 0.005 0.005 0.1 1
E [Link]@[Link]
Cr 0.5 2 1
Cs 0.005 0.1
Australia/Asia — Perth
Cu 0.1 1 0.5
T +61 8 9347 3222
Fe 0.003mg/L 0.01 mg/L 50
Ga 0.05 1
E [Link]@[Link]
Hf 0.005 0.1
Hg 0.05 0.5
Africa — Johannesburg
In 0.01 0.3
T +27 11 608 0555
K 0.01mg/L 0.6 mg/L 100 E [Link]@[Link]
La 0.005 0.05
Li 0.1 10 0.5
Brazil — Belo Horizonte
Mg 0.005mg/L 0.04 mg/L 5 T +55 31 3045 8400
Mn 0.05 1 0.5 E [Link]@[Link]
Mo 0.05 1 0.5
Na 0.01mg/L 0.3 mg/L 100 Canada — Vancouver
Nb 0.005 0.05 T +1 604 984 0221
Ni 0.2 2 2 E [Link]@[Link]
P 0.005mg/L 0.8 5
Pb 0.05 1 5 Chile — Santiago
Pt 0.01 0.005 T +56 2 2654 6100
Pd 0.005 0.005 E [Link]@[Link]
Rb 0.01 0.3
Re 0.002 Europe — Loughrea
S 0.2mg/L 5 T +353 91 841 741
Sb 0.02 0.01 0.1 5 E [Link]@[Link]
Sc 0.01 1 0.05
Se 0.05 10 Europe — Seville
Si 0.03mg/L T +34 955 513 035
Sn 0.05 0.4 E [Link]@[Link]
Sr 0.05 0.4 2
Ta 0.01 0.2 Mexico — Hermosillo
Te 0.01 10 T +52 662 260 7586
Th 0.005 0.05
E [Link]@[Link]
Ti 0.2 10 0.5
Tl 0.005 0.002 0.05 Peru — Lima
U 0.002 0.05
T +51 1 574 57 00
V 0.05 4 0.5
E [Link]@[Link]
W 0.02 0.01 0.2
Y 0.005 0.1
Ecuador-Quito
Zn 0.5 5 0.5
T: +593 2 513 0891
Zr 0.02 5
E: [Link]@[Link]
TDS range <1% 0-1% <6% ANY

USA — Reno
ALS provides a wide range of specialised testing services covering all stages of your T +1 775 356 5395
project’s life cycle. E [Link]@[Link]

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