Statistical summary of geochemical data furnished by 85 laboratories for for six geochemical exploration reference samples

Evaluation of the methods of analysis used in geochemical exploration is the concern of both the chemists producing the geochemical data and the geologists interpreting the data. This mutual concern resulted in the formation of the Committee on Geochemical Analysis of the Association of Exploration Geochemists. This committee recommended the preparation of several reference samples to be used in evaluating methods of analysis useful in geochemical exploration. Six reference samples--three soil samples and three rock samples--were distributed to 176 participating laboratories around the world.

This report summarizes data, on fifteen elements (table 1), which have been furnished by 85 laboratories. The amount of data furnished by an individual laboratory varies from one element analyzed by one method to twelve elements, some analyzed by several methods.

Fourteen variables for each element were taken from the reports of analyses submitted by individual laboratories. This report only considers four variables--geochemical reference samples, method of analysis, element, and concentration; that is, the report summarizes the variation in concentration for 15 elements by method of analysis for each of the six geochemical exploration reference samples. There are no restrictions on the remaining variables.