Expanding Analytical Horizons and Efficiencies in Geoscience, Petrochemical and Environmental Research

Minor, trace and ultratrace elemental analyses in a variety of geological and petrochemical materials are characterized by difficulties, due to the complexity of their compositions, in obtaining a complete digestion. Traditionally, academic researchers have used a variety of analytical instruments and sample preparation techniques, including open vessel digestions, Parr Bombs, flux fusion, and combustion and closed-vessel microwave digestion to prepare samples for ICP or AA analysis. While these techniques have been somewhat effective, they do pose several limitations for multi-element analysis—temperature and pressure limitations, incomplete digestions, contamination, and time consumption.