A rapid method for the determination of uranium, thorium and vanadium in calcareous samples by ICP-AES

A rapid method for the determination of uranium, thorium and vanadium in calcareous samples of western Rajasthan by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) after HNO₃ leaching and ammonia precipitation was developed. Analytes were quantitatively leached out and pre-concentrated by ammonia precipitation reaction. The effect of various experimental parameters such as acidity, sample amounts and leaching time on the recovery and determination of these elements were investigated in detail. A number of calcareous samples were analysed by the present method. Results were found in good agreement with 5-10% RSD variation with the pre-analysed calcrete samples prepared by usual method of sample preparation using HF and HNO₃. (author)