RI 7861 Atomic Absorption Methods of Analysis of Oilfield Brines: Barium, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Lead., Lithium, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Sodium, Strontium, and Zinc

This Bureau of Mines report outlines the atomic absorption analysis of oilfield brines for barium, calcium, copper, iron, lead lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, strontium, and zinc, using the method of additions. The advantages of using atomic absorption are discussed. The method of additions was chosen to overcome large matrix interferences usually found in brines; techniques of overcoming chemical, ionization, and background interferences are also described. The method was used to analyze several hundred oilfield brines and found to be rapid and reasonably accurate. A solvent extraction method was used to concentrate lead, copper, zinc, and iron in low-level samples.