Spectrochemical method for the determination of selenium

Selenium can be determined in pyrite, chalcocite, and marcasite by a simple and rapid spectrochemical method that requires no complicated arrangement of spectrographic equipment or chemical pretreatment of samples. Advantage is taken of the new short wave length radiation plates (Eastman) and the addition of copper oxide to enhance the selenium lines 2039.85 and 2062.78 A. The possibility exists of determining many other elements on the same exposure of the sample. The method is applicable in the range of 0.0015 to 2% selenium. Tests indicate an average difference from the chemical results of 0.07% in the few per cent range, 0.03% in the 0.1 to 1.0% range, 0.005% in the 0.01 to 0.1% range, and 0.00075% in the 0.001 to 0.01% range. The relative accuracy over the entire range is to about 7% of the concentration.