Study and Application of Geochemical Reference Materials in the Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration (IGGE), China

In order to meet the needs of geochemical mapping and geochemical exploration, 125 geochemical reference materials have been successively prepared by the Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration (IGGE) since 1978. They include certified reference materials of stream sediments (GSD1-14), soils (GSS1-16; ASA 1-6, for analysis of available elements), various rocks (GSR1-6, GSR13-15), biological material (GSV1-4 and GSB 1-10), synthetic silicates (GSES I 1-11) and limestones (GSES II 1-9 for spectral analysis). They also include geochemical reference materials for ore analysis: Cu-Pb-Zn ores (GSO1-4), Cu-Pb-Zn concentrates (GSO5-7), platinum-group element (PGE) ores (GPt5-6 and GPt9-10), silver ores (GAg1-6) and geochemical reference materials for Au (GAu8-14) and PGE determination (GPt1-4, and GPt7-8). A multi-laboratory collaborative analysis scheme was adopted in the certification procedure of the IGGE. Dozens of competent laboratories with hundreds of senior analysts in China participated in the certification analysis. These samples have been supplied to more than thirty countries and more than 4000 customers from national industrial, agricultural, environmental, scientific and educational fields. Most of the geochemical reference materials are used for the calibration of measuring apparatus, evaluation of analytical methods, certification studies, quality control and laboratory accreditation programmes.