AbstractA method was developed for the determination of major, minor and trace elements in a submarine polymetallic nodule by x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry. Fusion of the sample was performed in gfraphite crucibles using a 1:3 dilution ratio with an Li2B4O7Li2CO3LiNO3flux. Calibration was carried out with synthetic standards. The absorption‐enhancement effects for 28 analytes were each corrected using influence coefficients generated by the COLA equation. The results obtained were in relatively good agreement with the recommended values for the Chinese reference material GSPN‐1. The technique of sample preparation and the use of synthetic standards can also be extended to the analysis of other polymeta