Questa Rock Pile Stability Study SOP 30v8 Page1

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE NO. 30

ICP-OES ANALYSIS

REVISION LOG

Revision Number Description Date

30v0 Original SOP (Bonnie Frey author) 02/01/05

30v1 Preliminary edits LMK 02/02/05

30v1 Comments-GMLR 02/10/05

30v2 Edits and comments LMK 2/21/05

30v3 Final edits, changes incorporated, LMK 3/4/05

Sent to J. Hamilton and uploaded to Granite FTP 3/4/05

server

30v4 Incorporated GMLR comments, 3/8/05

30v5 Incorporated GMLR comments (phone) and Bonnie 39/05

Frey edits; Fixed gaps, reposted to Granite FTP, Resent
to Jack Hamilton - LMK

30v6 Edits from Bonnie Frey, + edits by LMK 01/26/06 – 2/20/06

30v7 Further edits by Bonnie Frey and LMK 04/20/06

Note: Send Bonnie these edits, then Hold until Bonnie

finalizes before posting to Grannite and sending to
Jack Hamilton

30v7 Finalized by LMK for posting to project website and to 3/29/07

send to George Robinson for lab audit

30v8 Editorial by SKA 10/23/08

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Questa Rock Pile Stability Study SOP 30v8 Page2

1.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) provides technical guidance and procedures
for the analysis of solid and water samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical
Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), specifically on a PerkinElmer Optima 5300 DV.
This SOP addresses sample preparation, equipment used, laboratory and instrument
procedures, personnel responsibilities, and quality control.

The primary purpose for conducting metals analysis by ICP-OES for this project is
because it provides a stable instrument that can handle complicated matrices of up to 5%
dissolved solids as is expected for many of the Molycorp rock pile samples. A secondary
purpose for analyzing these samples by ICP-OES is to screen them before trace element
analysis that will be conducted by ICP-MS. This screening process is necessary to
prevent overloading the ICP-MS detector and to reduce the amount of maintenance
required when analyzing high-solids samples.

Analysis by ICP-OES will follow US EPA Method 6010 – Inductively Coupled Plasma-
Atomic Emission Spectrometry. Sample digestion will follow Briggs method (see
References section). Any deviations from these methods will be noted in this SOP.

Currently 39 elements are targeted for ICP-OES analysis. US EPA Method 6010b
provides details for analysis of 30 of these elements: aluminum, antimony, arsenic,
barium, beryllium, cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, lithium,
magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorus, potassium,
selenium, silica, silver, sodium, strontium, thallium, tin, titanium, vanadium and zinc.
The NMBMMR Chemistry Lab (hereafter referred to as the Chem Lab) has added the
following elements for analysis by ICP-OES: bismuth, gallium, sulfur, tungsten, yttrium
and zirconium. Boron, lithium, mercury and thallium are included in Method 6010b but
will not be included in the Chem Lab ICP-OES analysis package. The following target
analytes will be analyzed by ICP-MS additionally or instead of ICP-OES: arsenic,
beryllium, cobalt, gallium, lead, molybdenum, nickel, rubidium, silver, tellurium,
thorium, uranium, vanadium and the rare earth elements. Because of the volatile nature
of silica during open-vessel digestion, no silicon analyses will be completed on solids by
ICP-OES. Table 1 (Appendix 1) lists the target analytes, their wavelengths, their
expected method detection limits (MDLs), and their plasma viewing positions.

2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Laboratory Manager, under the direction of the Team Leader and Characterization
Team, will have the overall responsibility for implementing this SOP. They will be
responsible for assigning appropriate staff to implement this SOP and for ensuring that
the procedures are followed accurately.
All personnel performing these procedures are required to have the appropriate health and
safety training. In addition, all personnel are required to have a complete understanding
of the applicable procedures described within this SOP and to receive specific training

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regarding these procedures, if necessary. Personnel trained to use the Environmental

Express HotBlock and the associated hazardous acids will undertake the procedures
outlined in the sample preparation section of this SOP. Qualified personnel include the
Chem Lab manager, lab technicians, and selected student workers. The Chem Lab
manager and lab technicians will undertake the procedures outlined in the ICP-OES
section of this protocol when conducting analyses on the PerkinElmer Optima 5300 DV.
All environmental staff and assay laboratory staff are responsible for reporting deviations
from this SOP to the Team Leader.

3.0 DATA QUALITY OBJECTIVES

This SOP addresses the following objectives in the data quality objectives outlined in the
"Geological and Hydrological Characterization work plan at the Molycorp Questa Mine,
Taos County, New Mexico”:
1. To provide principle investigator (PI) researchers with quality analytical
laboratory data that have been verified and validated.
2. To provide PI researchers with analytical data that have appropriate detection
limits and that have been conducted in accordance with acceptable procedures.
3. To provide PI researchers with confidence that the data have been generated and
transferred to the centralized database utilizing the procedures outlined in the
project SOPs.

4.0 RELATED STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

The procedures for providing analyses by ICP-OES set forth in this SOP are intended for
use with the following SOPs:

• SOP 1 Data management (including verification and validation)

• SOP 2 Sample management (including chain of custody)
• SOP 5 Sampling outcrops, rock piles, and drill core (solids)
• SOP 8 Sample preparation (solids)
• SOP 15 Surface water and seep sampling
• SOP 16 Ground-water sampling
• SOP 22 Analytical data validation
• SOP 31 ICP-MS analysis
• SOP 36 Sample preservation, storage, shipping and custody
• SOP 68 Water analyses
• SOP 78 Humidity cell testing

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• SOP 79 Humidity cell sample preparation

5.0 EQUIPMENT LIST

The following materials and equipment are needed for sample preparation and analysis
by ICP-OES:
5.1 Preservation of water samples:
• Dropper bottle filled with concentrated, ultra-high-purity nitric acid (HNO3) to be
added by laboratory personnel 16 hours prior to performing the sample analysis.

5.2 Briggs four-acid digestion for solid samples (hereafter referred to as the Briggs
method)

• Environmental Express 36-well HotBlockTM SC100

• Two 18-place polycarbonate racks for HotBlock
• 36 60-mL Teflon HotBlock vessels with caps
• Digital plastic coated temperature probe
• perchloric acid (HClO4) fume hood
• Milestone Duopur acid distillation unit
• Milestone TraceClean acid washer
• Ohaus Voyager balance accurate to four decimal places
• Stainless steel laboratory scoops
• Trace-element grade HNO3, HClO4, hydrofluoric acid (HF) and hydrochloric acid
(HCl)
• Water purified to 18.2 MOhm by reverse osmosis, hereafter referred to as RO water
• Safety gear (Safety goggles, lab coat, etc.)
• Whatman ashless filters (grade 40)
• Polypropylene funnels
• Funnel holders
• 50-mL graduated centrifuge tubes
• 14-mL graduated centrifuge tubes
• 60-place plastic centrifuge tube rack
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Material
(SRM) 2780 (Appendix 2), Hard Rock Mine Waste
• Molycorp Capulin sample 104, to be treated as an ongoing laboratory control sample
• Standard solutions for matrix spikes
• Laboratory notebook and indelible pens

5.3 Analysis for metals and other cations

• PerkinElmer ICP-OES Optima 5300 DV
• Computer-controlled emission spectrometer with background correction
• Echelle grating optical system
• Radial and axial viewing capability

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• Radio-frequency generator compliant with FCC regulations

• High purity argon gas
• Volumetric flasks and pipettes
• Ultrapure HNO3 and HCl
• RO water
• Single element standard solutions, mixed calibration standards, calibration blank (for
establishing calibration curve), method blank (used to identify contamination from
sample preparation), initial calibration verification, continuous calibration
verification, internal standard (scandium), interference check solution, and spiking
standards

6.0 PROCEDURES

Analysis by ICP-OES will follow US EPA Method 6010b – Inductively Coupled Plasma-
Atomic Emission Spectrometry. Sample digestion will follow Briggs method. Any
deviations from these methods will be noted in this SOP.

6.1 Sample preservation and preparation

Sample collection, preservation, and preparation techniques are critical for successful
analysis on any laboratory instrument. For this reason, criteria in SOPs 5, 8, 15, 16, 36,
78, and 79 must be accurately followed and documented during sample preservation and
preparation.

6.1.1 Preparation of water samples

Water samples must be filtered to less than 0.45 um and preserved in the field by cooling
to less than 4 degrees C within four hours of sampling. Lab personnel will acidify water
samples to a pH less than 2 with ultrapure HNO3 16 hours before ICP-OES analysis
(USEPA Method 200.7). Acid preservation is not necessary in the field. Acid
preservation will be done in the laboratory as described above. Water samples will be
analyzed initially without dilutions. If concentrations are found to be above the highest
calibration standards, subsequent dilutions will be required and appropriately
documented.

Preparation of samples from humidity cells need alternative and additional handling that
is detailed in SOPs 78 and 79.

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6.1.2 Preparation of solid samples

Solid samples will be digested by HotBlock following the Briggs digestion method, a
four-acid method requiring HCl, HClO4, HNO3 and HF. The procedure takes
approximately two days and must be completed under a perchloric-acid fume hood.
Details of each digestion will be recorded in a laboratory notebook designated for
Molycorp digestions.

Prior to digestion, solid samples must be ground to a powder following SOP 8. Samples
are then dried overnight at 110 degrees C, and 0.200 g of sample is weighed into a Teflon
HotBlock vessel. The sample names and weights are recorded in the laboratory notebook.

The sides of the sample vessels are rinsed down with RO before adding reagents. The
initial reagent mixture is 3 mL HCl, 2 mL HNO3, 1 ml HClO4, and 2 ml HF. The
sample mixtures are heated on the HotBlock at 110 degrees C under an HClO4 fume
hood until the solution is dried completely. The samples are then removed from the heat
until they are cool to touch. Another milliliter of HClO4 and 2 mL of RO water are
added to each sample, and the solution is evaporated to dryness at 160 degrees C. The
samples are cooled again, then 1 mL of aqua regia (3 parts HCl to 1 part HNO3) is added
to each sample and allowed to react for 15 minutes. A solution of 9 mL 1% HNO3 is
added to each sample, the vessel is capped, and the vessel is heated in a drying oven for 1
hour at 95 degrees C. The solution is cooled again. If there is no evidence of remaining
solids, the samples are rinsed into 50-mL graduated centrifuge tubes and brought to
volume. These tubes will also serve as the permanent storage containers for the samples .

Digested samples are then diluted at least 1:5 for ICP-OES analysis and at least 1:20 for
ICP-MS analysis. Subsequent dilutions may be required if analyte concentrations are
above the instrument’s linear range.

6.2 ICP-OES Procedures

Prior to sample analysis, interference corrections will be established and an initial

instrument performance demonstration must be documented and kept on file. This
laboratory document will include instrument detection limits (IDLs), method detection
limits (MDLs), and the linear dynamic range of the instrument. A list of MDLs are
included in Table 1, Appendix 1. These tasks are detailed in Method 6010b, but a review
is provided in the quality control section of this SOP. QA/QC procedures are conducted
in accordance with SOP 22 Analytical Data Validation.

The following solutions must be prepared prior to analysis:

• A sample probe rinse solution of 1% ultrapure HNO3
• An internal standard solution of 10 ppm Sc in 1% ultrapure HNO3
• A calibration blank and calibration standards for a three-point calibration
• A calibration check blank solution

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• Calibration verification solutions made from stock solutions independent of the

calibration standard stock solutions
• An interference check solution, when necessary (see quality control section)
• Water samples preserved with 1% ultrapure HNO3 can be analyzed directly unless
earlier analyses suggest dilutions are necessary. Solid samples digested by Briggs
method must be diluted at least 1:5 with RO water.

All samples will be analyzed with a Scotts spray chamber and a gem cone nebulizer.

7.0 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance is completed on daily and periodic levels. Although occasional users of the
ICP-OES will only conduct daily maintenance, they must be aware of how recently
periodic maintenance tasks have been conducted.
Immediately after installation of the ICP-OES, the wavelengths were aligned by a
PerkinElmer technician. This maintenance item will be repeated by a PerkinElmer
technician whenever the spectrometer is serviced.

Periodic maintenance includes an argon purge after the argon tank has been disconnected
from the spectrometer. When running the instrument for the first time after the argon
tank has been reconnected, an argon purge is necessary and the spectrometer must be
warmed up for 70 minutes. After this warm-up, turn on the pump to flush the lines. If a
month has passed since last firing the torch, purge the plasma, auxiliary and nebulizer gas
lines before lighting the plasma. If the last firing occurred within the last month, the gas
lines will be purged automatically when the plasma is turned on.
Several other periodic tasks are required after lighting the torch; however, the plasma must
be allowed to equilibrate for about 30 to 60 minutes before proceeding with these tasks. The
nebulizer flow and plasma power must be optimized every month, especially when high salt
solutions are analyzed on a regular basis, and whenever maintenance on the sample
introduction section has been conducted. A solution of As (5 ppm), Mn (1 ppm), Sc (0.1
ppm), K (5 ppm), and Ba (0.1 ppm) is pumped through the torch during optimization.
Optimization involves the adjustment of the plasma power between 1300 and 1400 W while
observing the element’s signal strength in the continuous graphics window. Each of these
five elements will react differently to the power adjustments. The power that provides the
best signal for all five elements must be established and that wattage used during analysis.
Next, adjust the nebulizer flow incrementally between 0.90 and 0.60 L/min for radial and
axial plasmas, in that order. After observing each element’s change in intensity, the best
flow will be established and used for the analyses.

Once a month or after torch maintenance, the plasma view must be realigned. The torch
is first aligned in the radial view while pumping a 10 ppm solution of Mn. The “align-
view” command is given from the spectrometer control window. Record the alignment
settings and peak intensity upon completion of the alignment. Repeat this procedure for
the axial view while pumping a 1 ppm solution of Mn.

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All pump tubing must be changed on a weekly basis.

The Background Equivalent Concentration must be checked daily.

The mercury lamp must be realigned daily. Pump a solution of 1% ultrapure HNO3
through the sample introduction system and give the “Hg realign” command from the
spectrometer control window. The final intensity, which must be at least 7 million counts
per second, must be recorded upon completion of the realignment.

8.0 LABORATORY SAFETY

Several safety aspects must be observed by all laboratory personnel: the proper and safe
handling of acids, especially perchloric acid and hydrofluoric acid, and all other general
safe laboratory practices detailed in New Mexico Tech’s Laboratory Safety Manual.
Hydrofluoric acid and perchloric acid are among the most dangerous chemicals used in
the Chem Lab. Special precautions must be taken during their use. The most important
and basic of these precautions are posted in the vicinity of the perchloric acid fume hood,
which will be used for all HotBlock procedures. Basic first aid (instruction posted near
fume hood) should be administered if any personnel become exposed to these acids
through skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, or ingestion.

9.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

The analyst must make an initial demonstration of the ability to generate acceptable
accuracy and precision following EPA Method 6010b. This demonstration will result in
the documentation of detection limits, initial precision and recovery, linear dynamic
range for each wavelength used, and the first analysis of an ongoing laboratory control
sample with a reference sample.

In addition, quality control samples will be analyzed including:

 samples used to evaluate solid sample preparation methods.

 samples to evaluate analytical precision.

9.1 Interference corrections

Two techniques will be employed to correct interferences on the PerkinElmer Optima

5300 DV. The first is a multi-component spectral fitting (MSF) file. To develop this file,
a single element standard of each element of interest is diluted with 1% ultrapure HNO3
and analyzed on the instrument. After the run, the peaks and baselines are reset, the
blanks are identified as global blanks, any interfering elements are identified for

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subsequent subtraction, and the elements of interest are identified as analytes. These
corrections are tested with interferent-check standards for five consecutive days to within
20 percent of the target concentration. These checks must be completed every six months
(EPA Method 6010B). After this file has been tested sufficiently, an inter-element
correction (IEC) file may be developed. An interference check solution will be run every
six months.

The second interference correction test used is a dilution test and post-digestion spike
described in Method 6010B. This test will be performed periodically to check for matrix
interferences:

1. When completing initial analyses of the Molycorp laboratory control sample and
NIST SRM 2780 (Appendix 1).

2. When completing the first analyses of Questa samples.

3. When analyzing an unusual sample.

9.2 Detection limits

Instrument detection limits (IDLs) and method detection limits (MDLs) will be calculated
for the ICP-OES following the USEPA SW-846 manual, Chapter 1, and USEPA Method
6010b and kept as in-house documentation. Only the MDLs will be reported in an
updated draft of SOP 30.

The IDL is estimated by taking the average standard deviations of three runs of seven
blank measurements each on three nonconsecutive days. An IDL analysis will be
conducted annually.

MDLs will be calculated for all elements from standards that are 3 to 5 times the
expected MDLs. Calculations of this parameter will follow US-EPA Manual SW-846,
Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods Chapter 1.
Subsequent sample concentrations below the reported MDL will not be reported as data
points, but as less-than values. New MDLs will be determined annually.

9.3.1 Internal standard

Scandium is the internal standard being used on this instrument. If the intensity of the
internal standard falls below 30 percent for a particular sample, a matrix effect must be
suspected. To correct the problem, first recalibrate the instrument and reanalyze the
sample to be sure the problem was not the result of instrument drift. If the problem has

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still not been corrected, dilute the sample 1:5 and reanalyze, repeating analysis with
increasing dilutions until the internal standard is within 30 percent of the blank intensity.

9.4 Quality control samples

Reagent blanks, sample duplicates, matrix spikes, and NIST standards will be prepared at
the digestion level for solids. For each HotBlock batch, one reagent blank will be
prepared per every 10 samples and one duplicate and one NIST standard will be prepared
per every 20 samples. The Molycorp ongoing control sample will be analyzed once a
month to monitor sample precision throughout the project. Sample spikes will be
prepared before any Molycorp samples are analyzed and whenever a particular samples
does not digest easily or produces unusual data. The following guidelines should be met
for these quality control solutions:

• Reagent blanks should be less than the method detection limit.

• The relative percent difference of duplicates and standards should be within 15

percent.

• The percent recovery of matrix spikes should be within 25 percent.

Reagent blanks, sample duplicates and matrix spikes will be prepared for the analysis of
water samples and should meet the guidelines listed above.

ICP-OES runs will include an initial calibration verification solution and a blank solution
at the beginning and end of every run. A calibration verification solution will be
analyzed after every 10 samples throughout the run. The verification measurements must
be within 10 percent of the expected value. If they are not, the problem should be
corrected before continuing with analyses.

During the analysis, every element will be analyzed in triplicate for every sample and
used by the instrument to calculate relative standard deviation (RSD) automatically.
Analyses above the method detection limit with a RSD greater than 5 % should be
discontinued and the problem corrected before continuing with the analyses.

From these quality control samples, the following parameters can be calculated to
evaluate precision and accuracy within the parameters listed above:

1) Relative percent difference (RPD) = 100 * [(A-B)/((A+B)/2)], where A = measured

concentration of a sample and B = measured concentration of sample replicate.

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2) Percent recovery (%R) of spiked samples = 100 * (xs-xu) / K, where xs = measured

concentration of the spiked sample, xu = measured concentration of the unspiked sample,
and K = known concentration of spike.

3) Percent recovery (%R) for standard reference materials = 100 * (x) / K, where x =
measured concentration of the NIST standard or ICV, and K = known concentration of
NIST standard or ICV.

4) Standard deviation – calculated from the NIST standard in the case of solid analysis
and calculated from the ICV in the case of water samples.

9.5 Ion balance for water samples

Major and minor cations analyzed by ICP-OES and ICP-MS (SOP 31) will be used in
conjunction with anions analyzed by IC (SOP 68) to calculate ion balance as described in
SOP 22. The ion balance calculations will be performed within the database. An ion
balance report will be provided to the lab manager, project manager and auditor.

10.0 DOCUMENTATION

 Documentation to track samples through the laboratory will be as follows:

 Upon sample delivery to the Chem Lab, a chain of custody form will be signed by
the person delivering the samples and by the person receiving the samples. In
addition to the samples and the chain of custody form, a copy of the conductivity,
pH, and alkalinity field data will be delivered to the lab.

 Samples will be logged in to the Chem Lab's log book detailing the date received,
Molycorp sample ID, lab ID and required analyses.

 The lab ID will be written on sample bottles and bags with black Sharpie
(indelible pen).

 Throughout the digestion process, the lab ID for solid samples will be transferred
to the Prep Lab notebook, to the bottles containing the digested sample, and to the
bottles containing the diluted sample.

 The sample ID and lab ID will be entered into the sample introduction file on the
ICP-OES software before analysis begins.

 The numeric results of the analyses are reported to three significant figures.

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 After analysis, an electronic version of the data will be transferred to the

Molycorp Project database.

 In addition, an analysis report detailing the samples transferred and the quality of
the analyses will automatically be sent to the project manager, the Chem Lab
manager and the project auditor.

 Any unused solid sample material will be returned to the sampler with the proper
chain of custody forms filled out and signed.

 Water samples and sample digestate will be stored in the Chem Lab for a period
of 12 months after digestion. After that period, they will be disposed of following
the protocols of the New Mexico Tech safety office.

11.0 FORMS

Forms are not applicable to this SOP as the data is output by the machinery in the form of
Excel spreadsheets that are directly entered into the Molycorp Database.

12.0 DATA ANALYSIS AND VERIFICATION

In addition to the checks conducted by the analyst during and after an ICP-OES run to
assure proper calibration and instrument stability, an automated analysis report will be
generated during the data transfer to the project database. This report will be sent
automatically by email to the lab manager, project manager and auditor. A filter will be
set up to flag and hold any analyses that do not meet project specifications so the sample
can be reanalyzed, if necessary. The report will include failures of the calibration checks,
blanks, duplicates, and standard reference materials, as well as failures of relative percent
difference, percent recovery, and relative standard deviations.

Data provided to the customer will include a data quality report documenting that all
accepted data has met the quality protocols detailed in this SOP. All NIST standard and
ICV data will be entered into the Molycorp Project database as samples and will be used
to generate standard errors on solid and water data tables. Standard deviation errors will
be included with all data reports.

The database technician will be responsible for verifying that the data has transferred to
the database correctly.

13.0 REFERENCES

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1996, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic

Emission Spectrometry, Method 6010B, Revision 2.0, SW-846 Manual, 3rd edition,
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.

Briggs, P.H., (2001 version) The Determination of Forty Elements in Geological and
Botanical Samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry, U.S.
Geological Survey Open File Report 02-223-G, Analytical Methods for Chemical
Analysis of Geologic and Other Materials, U.S. Geological Survey.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1987, Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste,
Physical/Chemical Methods, SW-846 Manual, 3rd edition, Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2001, Trace Elements in Water, Solids, and
Biosolids by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry, Method 200.7,
EPA-821-R-01-010, Revision 5.0.

Certificate of Analysis, Standard Reference Material 2780, Hard Rock Mine Waste,
National Institute of Standards & Technology, January 31, 2003.

Boss, C.B., Fredeen, K.J., Concepts, Instrumentation and Techniques in Inductively

Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry, PerkinElmer, 2004.

New Mexico Tech Safety Manual.

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APPENDIX 1. Table 1

Table 1. Analytes and their associated wavelengths,

detection limits (ppm), linear dynamic ranges (ppm)
and plasma viewing positions on the PerkinElmer
Optima 5300 DV.

Method Method Linear Plasma

Wavelength
Analyte detection detection dynamic viewing
(nm)
limits (water) limits (solids) range position
Ag 328.068 0.003 5.36 50 Axial
Al 396.153 0.008 4787 1000 Radial
As 188.979 0.006 25.1 100 Axial
Ba 455.403 0.0004 73.4 10 Radial
Be 313.107 0.0006 0.163 100 Radial
Ca 317.933 0.020 108 3000 Radial
Cd 214.440 0.0005 1.50 50 Axial
Co 228.616 0.0005 1.15 50 Axial
Cr 205.560 0.001 6.68 100 Axial
Cu 324.752 0.008 11.9 50 Axial
Fe 238.204 0.022 1984 1000 Radial
Ga 294.364 0.003 2.94 1000 Axial
K 766.490 0.048 1762 3000 Radial
Mg 279.553 0.013 370 100 Radial
Mn 257.610 0.002 35.3 500 Radial
Na 589.592 0.054 105 100 Radial
Ni 231.604 0.001 4.18 500 Axial
P 177.434 0.056 112 1000 Axial
P 213.617 0.037 66.6 1000 Axial
Pb 220.353 0.002 467 1000 Axial
S 180.669 0.012 904 1000 Axial
S 181.975 0.019 888 1000 Axial
Sb 206.836 0.004 9.81 100 Axial
Se 196.026 0.010 8.95 100 Axial
Si 212.412 0.014 NA Axial
Si 251.611 0.014 NA Axial
Sr 421.552 0.0007 18.3 10 Radial
Th 401.913 0.0014 2.07 10 Axial
Ti 334.940 0.0003 654 100 Axial
V 292.402 0.0002 20.7 500 Axial
W 239.708 0.0026 14.4 10 Axial
Zn 202.548 0.0009 91.9 100 Axial
Zn 213.857 0.0017 100 Axial
Ar 420.069 plasma gas plasma gas Radial
Sc 361.383 internal standard internal standard Axial
Sc 361.383 internal standard internal standard Radial

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APPENDIX 2. Certificate of analysis, NIST Standard Reference

Material 2780

National Institute of Standards & Technology

Certificate of Analysis
Standard Reference Material 2780
Hard Rock Mine Waste
This Standard Reference Material (SRM) is intended for use in the evaluation of methods
and for the calibration of apparati used to determine heavy metals and other elements in
hard rock mine waste and materials of a similar matrix. SRM 2780 is composed of
material collected from a waste pile of an abandoned mine site near Silverton, CO. A unit
consists of approximately 50 g of material of which 90 % passes a 150 µm (No. 100)
sieve.
Certified Values and Uncertainties: Certified mass fraction values for 12 elements are
listed in Table 1. A NIST certified value is a value for which NIST has the highest
confidence in its accuracy in that all known or suspected sources of bias have been
investigated or accounted for by NIST. All values are reported as mass fractions [1], on a
dry mass basis (see Instructions for Drying), and are based on measurements using a
sample mass of at least 250 mg.
Reference Values and Uncertainties: Reference mass fraction values for seven
elements are given in Table 2. Reference values are noncertified values that are the best
estimate of the true value; however, the values DO NOT meet the NIST criteria for
certification and are provided with associated uncertainties that may not include all
sources of uncertainty. Mass fraction values are on a dry mass basis.
Information Values: Information mass fraction values for 28 elements are provided in
Table 3. An information value is considered to be a value that will be of interest and use
to the SRM user, but insufficient information is available to assess the uncertainty
associated with the value.
Expiration of Certification: The certification of this SRM lot is valid within the
measurement uncertainties specified until 31 December 2012, provided the SRM is
handled and stored in accordance with the instructions given in this certificate (see
Instruction for Use section). However, the certification will be nullified if the SRM is
contaminated or modified.
Stability: This material is considered to be stable. NIST will monitor this material and
will report any substantive changes in certification to the purchaser. Return of the
attached registration card will facilitate notification.

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The overall direction and coordination of the technical measurements leading to the
certification of this SRM were performed by G.C. Turk of the NIST Analytical
Chemistry Division.
Analytical measurements from NIST were performed by C.M. Beck II, W.R. Kelly, S.E.
Long, J.L. Mann, A.F. Marlow, J.R. Sieber, R.D. Vocke, Jr., and L.L. Yu of the
Analytical Chemistry Division.
Statistical consultation was provided by S.D. Leigh and D.D. Leber of the NIST
Statistical Engineering Division.
Mine waste sample collection, preparation of the SRM, and contributing chemical
analyses were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the direction of
S.A. Wilson. Details are described [4] in USGS Open-File Report 99-370, which is
available from USGS Information Services, Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, CO
80225 (telephone: (303) 202-4210; e-mail: infoservices@usgs.gov).
The support aspects involved in the preparation, certification, and issuance of this SRM
were coordinated through the Standard Reference Materials Program by B.S.
MacDonald.
Willie E. May, Chief
Analytical Chemistry Division
Gaithersburg, MD 20899 John Rumble, Jr., Chief
Certificate Issue Date: 31 January 2003 Measurement Services Division
SRM 2780 Page 1 of 4
Partial financial support for the development of this SRM was provided by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the direction of project manager B.A.
Schumacher of the EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory, Characterization
Research Division, Las Vegas, NV.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
To relate analytical determinations to the certified values on this certificate, a minimum
sample mass of 250 mg should be used. Sampling and sample preparation procedures
should be designed to avoid material segregation on the basis of particle size. It is
recommended to mix the contents of the bottle prior to sampling by turning the bottle end
over end for two minutes. The sample should be dried according to the Instructions for
Drying. If particle size reduction is performed, it is the user’s responsibility to prevent
contamination or loss of material. This SRM must be stored in an air-conditioned or
similar cool and dry environment away from light and fumes.
Instructions for Drying: Analyses should be performed on samples as received; separate
samples should be weighed before and after drying to obtain a correction factor for
moisture. Samples may be dried in an oven at 107 ºC under clean, dry inert gas, or in a
dessicator over fresh anhydrous Mg(ClO4)2, or by other equivalent method which reaches
a constant dry weight.

Table 1. Certified Mass Fractions

Element Mass Fraction k (%)
Aluminum 8.87 ± 0.33 2.3
Calcium 0.195 ± 0.020 2.6
Iron 2.784 ± 0.080 2.4
Lead 0.577 ± 0.041 2.4

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Magnesium 0.533 ± 0.020 2.8

Potassium 3.38 ± 0.26 2.8
Sodium 0.221 ± 0.018 2.8
Sulfur 1.263 ± 0.042 2.6
Zinc 0.257 ± 0.016 2.6

Element Mass Fraction k (mg/kg)

Arsenic 48.8 ± 3.3 2.0
Cadmium 12.10 ± 0.24 2.8
Mercury 0.710 ± 0.042 2.6

The certified values for mercury and sulfur are the means of results obtained by NIST
using isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). The expanded uncertainty is calculated
as U = kuc, where uc is intended to represent, at the level of one standard deviation, the
combined standard uncertainty calculated according to the ISO Guide [2]. The coverage
factor, k, is determined from the Student’s t-distribution for the appropriate degrees of
freedom to yield 95 % confidence. The certified values and uncertainties for the
remaining elements are derived from the results of at least one analysis performed at
NIST and independent results from one or more methods provided by the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) using the approach described by Levenson et al. [3] for
combining results for multiple methods. Multiple method results from USGS were first
combined to give a single value and uncertainty before being combined with the NIST
results. The certified value is an unweighted mean of the results from NIST and USGS.
The uncertainty listed with each value is an expanded uncertainty about the mean, U =
kuc, with a coverage factor, k, determined from the Student’s t-distribution for the
appropriate degrees of freedom to yield 95 % confidence. Each uc is calculated by
combining a between-method variance [3] with a pooled, within-method variance
following the ISO/NIST Guide [2]. Analytical methods are listed in Table 4.
SRM 2780 Page 2 of 4

Table 2. Reference Mass Fractions

Element Mass Fraction k (%)
Titanium 0.699 ± 0.019 2.8

Element Mass Fraction k (mg/kg)

Barium 993 ± 71 2.1
Copper 215.5 ± 7.8 2.4
Manganese 462 ± 21 2.6
Phosphorus 427 ± 40 2.3
Strontium 217 ± 18 2.2
Vanadium 268 ± 13 2.4

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The reference values are based on the results of a single NIST method and one or more
USGS methods. Reference values and uncertainties were derived from multiple results in
the same manner as was done for the certified values and uncertainties. Analytical
methods are listed in Table 4.
Table 3. Information Mass Fractions
Element Mass Fraction (%)
Silicon 31

Element Mass Fraction (mg/kg)

Antimony 160 Niobium 18
Cerium 64 Rubidium 175
Cesium 13 Scandium 23
Chromium 44 Selenium 5
Cobalt 2.2 Silver 27
Gallium 26 Tellurium 5
Gold 0.18 Terbium 0.58
Hafnium 4.4 Thallium 5
Holmium 0.84 Thorium 12
Lanthanum 38 Thulium 0.4
Lithium 18 Tungsten 24
Molybdenum 11 Uranium 4
Neodymium 28 Zirconium 176
Nickel 12

SRM 2780 Page 3 of 4 SRM 2780 Page 4 of 4

Table 4. Methods Used in Elemental Determinations

Method Elements Determined

Cold Vapor Isotope Dilution Inductively Hg
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (CV-ID-ICP-MS) at NIST
Isotope Dilution Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ID-TIMS) at NIST S
Standard Additions Inductively Coupled Plasma As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn
Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) at NIST
Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Al, As, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn,
Spectrometry (WDXRF) at NIST Na, P, Pb, Sr, Ti, V, Zn, Zr
Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Ti
Spectrometry (WDXRF) at USGS
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg,
Spectrometry (ICP-AES) at USGS Mn, Na, P, Pb, Sr, V, Zn
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) at USGS As, Ba, Cd, Fe, Na, Zn
Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HGAAS) at USGS As

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REFERENCES
[1] Taylor, B.N.; Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI); NIST
Special Publication 811, 1995 Ed. (April 1994).
[2] Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement; SBN 92-67-10188-9, 1st Ed.
ISO, Geneva, Switzerland (1993); see also Taylor, B.N.; Kuyatt, C.E.; Guidelines for
Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement Results; NST
Technical Note 1297, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC (1994);
available at http://physics.nist.gov/Pubs/.
[3] Levenson, M.S.; Banks, D.L.; Eberhardt, K.R.; Gill, L.M.; Guthrie, W.F.; Liu, H.K.;
Vangel, M.G.; Yen, J.H.; Zhang, N.F.; An Approach to Combining Results from
Multiple Methods Motivated by the ISO GUM; Res. Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol. 105,
pp. 571-579 (2000).
[4] Wilson, S.A.; Briggs, P.H.; Brown, Z.A.; Taggart, J.E.; Knight, R.; Collection,
Preparation and Testing of NIST Hard Rock Mine Waste Reference Material SRM
2780; SGS Open-File Report 99-370, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (1999).
Users of this SRM should ensure that the certificate in their possession is current. This
can be accomplished by contacting the SRM Program at: telephone (301) 975-6776; fax
(301) 926-4751; e-mail srminfo@nist.gov; or via the Internet http://www.nist.gov/srm.

Rev. 30v1 10/30/2008