Analytical method development for major, minor and trace elements in geochemical and hydrogeochemical samples

During the last three decades, need based analytical methods for 15 elements of strategic importance, including uranium, thorium, rare earth elements (REE's), a host of major, minor and trace elements-some of which being the path finder elements for uraniumas well as certain anions in hydro geochemical samples have been suitably developed for their accurate determination by analytical instruments like, UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, Fluorimeter (both laser and conventional), Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (flame as well as non-flame), ICP-AES, etc. Analytical method have also been developed for Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺,Ti,Nb,Mn,U,Th, rare earth elements REE's (total), Au, V, Mo, Zr, F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ and NO₂⁻, for application to geological samples. The present paper encompasses a brief account of the methodologies developed in the present and earlier work for the rapid, selective and accurate determination of major, minor, and trace elements in geological/hydrogeochemical samples of diverse matrices.