Emission Spectrometric Determination of Barium, Boron, Iron, Manganese, and Strontium in Oilfield Waters Using a Plasma Arc

Abstract

Studies of the concentration and distribution of the mineral content in subsurface oilfield waters aid in locating water-pollution sources, determining water compatibilities, determining the origin and distribution of oilfield waters and petroleum, and exploring for petroleum and other minerals. An emission-spectrographic method using a plasma arc to determine B, Ba, Fe, Mn, and Sr in oilfield waters was developed. Variations in brine composition were reduced by use of a synthetic brine solution. Less than 1 mg/liter of each ion can be detected. Synthetic and natural oilfield waters containing the subject ions were mixed with various organic solvents and the internal standard. Relative intensities of their emission lines were determined using each of 10 solvent systems.