Dissolution of soils and geological materials for simultaneous elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A method has been developed using hydrogen peroxide, 6 M HCl and dilute HF for the dissolution of soils and geological materials. Boron, Si, Se, As and other elements often volatilised by other methods were retained by using closed containers at relatively low temperatures and by avoiding the use of perchloric acid. Six United States Geological Survey (USGS) standard rock samples and additional soil and sediment samples were dissolved and analysed by simultaneous multi-element inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry to test the effectiveness of the method. The results compared favourably with other methods used for the analysis of USGS standards. Analyses of soil and sediment samples indicated that Se and As were retained and measured accurately.