Even ancient history books refer to mineral prospecting by qualitative testing of water from seeps, springs, streams, wells, and bores. Two basic problems, however, have hindered quantitative analysis in water samples in modern geochemical prospecting. The first problem is that the concentration levels of indicator elements (q.v.) in natural water samples are very low (usually a few parts per billion), thereby posing both analytical difficulties and a serious risk of contamination during sample processing (e.g., glass or plastic containers can either contribute elements to or subtract elements from the sample unless suitable precautions are taken). The second problem is that the chemistry of natural water is very sensitive to weather conditions and to its local environment. Consequently, geochemists have shown an understandable reluctance to use water samples in exploration. However, recent analytical advances have made it feasible to detect suitable indicators by using practical...
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© 1988 Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc.
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Joyce, A.S. (1988). Hydrochemical prospecting . In: General Geology. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30844-X_56
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30844-X_56
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