Enrichment by what mechanism? The answers you get depend quite a bit on what information you provide, and you haven't left many clues for us to help you.

Your ResearchGate card shows you to work in geochronology and oceanography, so I'm guessing you are looking at geological processes, but it could be kelp, plankton, volcanic vents, trophic levels or something else.

Ivan E. Biamont-Rojas

Enrichment factor (EF) calculations are a common method used in environmental science to assess the degree of contamination by comparing the concentration of a particular element in a sample to its concentration in a reference material. While Al, Fe, Ti, Mn, and Zr are frequently used as reference elements due to their relative stability and abundance, other stable elements can also be used for EF calculations depending on the specific context and objectives of the study. Here are a few examples:

1. Silicon (Si): Silicon is abundant in the Earth's crust and is commonly used in geochemical studies. It can serve as a good reference element, particularly in studies of silicate materials and sediments.

2. Calcium (Ca): Calcium is another abundant element that can be used in EF calculations, especially in studies involving carbonate rocks or marine sediments.

3. Magnesium (Mg): Magnesium is stable and often used in geochemical analyses. It is particularly useful in studying mafic and ultramafic rocks or soils.

4. Potassium (K): Potassium is stable and abundant in many geological materials. It can be a suitable reference element in studies involving clay minerals and sediments.

5. Sodium (Na): Sodium is commonly found in natural waters and geological materials. It is often used in studies of marine and estuarine environments.

6. Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus is stable and can be used in EF calculations, particularly in studies of nutrient cycles and agricultural runoff.

7. Barium (Ba): Barium is relatively stable and is used in geochemical studies, especially those involving sediments and marine environments.

8. Strontium (Sr): Strontium is stable and is often used in studies of geological materials and hydrological processes.

9. Lithium (Li): Lithium is stable and can be used in EF calculations in studies of geological materials, especially in hydrothermal and geothermal contexts.

10. Nickel (Ni): Nickel is stable and is used in geochemical and environmental studies, particularly in the context of ultramafic rocks and soils.

When selecting a reference element for EF calculations, it's important to consider the specific context of the study, including the type of materials being analyzed, the geochemical background of the study area, and the potential sources of contamination. The chosen reference element should ideally be relatively stable, abundant, and unaffected by anthropogenic activities to ensure that the EF values accurately reflect the degree of enrichment or contamination.

Matthew Wheal I was talking about EF in sediment analysis, mainly freshwater environments.

Khawaja Muhammad Iftikhar Would it be possible to mention some references for Ba and Ni?

Ivan E. Biamont-Rojas

Matthew Wheal

Certainly! Here are some references that discuss the use of Barium (Ba) and Nickel (Ni) in geochemical and environmental studies:

Barium (Ba)

1. Mason, B., & Moore, C. B. (1982). "Principles of Geochemistry". Wiley.

o This book provides a comprehensive overview of geochemical principles and includes information on the use of various elements, including barium, in geochemical studies.

2. Ludwig, K. R., & Marsh, B. D. (2001). "Barium and Strontium in River Sediments: A Method of Dating and Correlation of Sediment Discharge". Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 65(10), 1635-1647.

o This paper discusses the use of barium in sediment studies and its application in dating and correlation.

3. Rudnick, R. L., & Gao, S. (2003). "Composition of the Continental Crust". In Treatise on Geochemistry (Vol. 3, pp. 1-64). Elsevier.

o This chapter provides detailed information on the composition of the continental crust, including the role of barium.

Nickel (Ni)

1. Hodge, V. F., & Vasiliev, A. (1996). "The Role of Nickel in Environmental Pollution and its Biogeochemical Cycling". Environmental Science & Technology, 30(6), 1745-1751.

o This paper explores the role of nickel in environmental pollution and its biogeochemical cycling, providing context for its use in environmental studies.

2. Sharma, S. K., & Gupta, S. K. (2000). "Use of Nickel and Cobalt as Reference Elements for Geochemical Exploration of Ultramafic Rocks". Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 68(1), 47-58.

o This study discusses the application of nickel as a reference element in the geochemical exploration of ultramafic rocks.

3. Harris, D. C. (2010). "Quantitative Chemical Analysis". Freeman.

o This textbook includes sections on the use of various elements, including nickel, in quantitative chemical analysis and environmental studies.

These references provide a solid foundation for understanding the use of barium and nickel in geochemical and environmental research.

Certainly! To perform enrichment factor (EF) calculations using Barium (Ba) and Nickel (Ni), you can refer to the following sources that discuss their applications and methodologies in geochemical and environmental studies:

Barium (Ba)

1. Mason, B., & Moore, C. B. (1982). "Principles of Geochemistry". Wiley.

o This book provides a fundamental overview of geochemistry, including the role of elements like barium in various geochemical analyses.

2. Ludwig, K. R., & Marsh, B. D. (2001). "Barium and Strontium in River Sediments: A Method of Dating and Correlation of Sediment Discharge". Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 65(10), 1635-1647.

o This paper discusses the use of barium in sediment studies and highlights its utility in dating and correlation, which can be relevant for EF calculations in sedimentary contexts.

3. Rudnick, R. L., & Gao, S. (2003). "Composition of the Continental Crust". In Treatise on Geochemistry (Vol. 3, pp. 1-64). Elsevier.

o This comprehensive chapter details the composition of the continental crust, including barium, and is useful for understanding its background concentration levels for EF calculations.

Nickel (Ni)

1. Hodge, V. F., & Vasiliev, A. (1996). "The Role of Nickel in Environmental Pollution and its Biogeochemical Cycling". Environmental Science & Technology, 30(6), 1745-1751.

o This paper explores nickel's role in environmental pollution and its biogeochemical cycling, providing context for its use in EF calculations.

2. Sharma, S. K., & Gupta, S. K. (2000). "Use of Nickel and Cobalt as Reference Elements for Geochemical Exploration of Ultramafic Rocks". Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 68(1), 47-58.

o This study discusses the use of nickel as a reference element in geochemical exploration, which can be directly applied to EF calculations for ultramafic rocks.

3. Harris, D. C. (2010). "Quantitative Chemical Analysis". Freeman.

o This textbook provides detailed methodologies for quantitative chemical analysis, including the use of various elements like nickel in environmental and geochemical studies.

These references offer a solid foundation for using barium and nickel in enrichment factor calculations, providing both theoretical background and practical applications in environmental and geochemical contexts.

Khawaja Muhammad Iftikhar None of the reference you indicate are correct, or do not exist.

Ivan E. Biamont-Rojas

Wiley is the best source, I and all other masters always use and get information from Wiley. You can check more.