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Testing laboratory to determine major and trace elements, as well as selected air pollutants STS 101

Analytical methods

The testing laboratory STS 101 specialises in the analysis of inorganic pollutants in environmental samples.

• Periodic table (PDF, 31 KB)of the chemical elements with method overviews STS 101. It details the methods used to analyse each given element.

Quality assurance

To control the accuracy of the procedure, matrix-equivalent and certified reference material (CRM), are also used, where possible, alongside sample material.

Sample preparation

Microwave pressure
decomposition techniques
to mineralise samples

Sample preparation is a decisive stage in any chemical analysis. The aim of sample preparation is to convert the analytes into a measurable form. The analyte must be extracted from the matrix or the matrix must be destroyed (mineralised = decomposed). In addition, modern and high performance sample preparation systems are used in environmental analyses.

Microwave pressure extraction to mineralise samples

The samples are mixed with reagents and heated at a controlled temperature and under high pressure (up to 100 bar). The matrix is destroyed and the analyte is extracted in soluble form.
The advantage of this (closed) system is that it ensures loss-free extraction.

Chemical reduction techniques (smelting)

Smelting equipment

DThe sample is mixed with a liquid medium in a platinum-gold crucible and melted over direct heat. The molten mass is then poured into a solution. The advantage of this approach over the microwave technique is that a larger sample quantity can be used, thereby improving the representativeness of the laboratory sample.

The Environmental Analysis Group uses this technique to measure arsenic, antimony, lead and tungsten (ammunition-specific elements found in firing ranges).

Measuring equipment

The Environmental Analysis Group has modern and high performance instruments at its disposal. To measure many parameters during a single procedure, the Environmental Analysis Group uses the following measuring technologies:

• ICP-MS (trace elements)
• ICP-OES (major and trace elements)
• Ion chromatography (anions)

Inductively Coupled Plasma
Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

ICP-MS facility

The ICP-MS is an effective and highly sensitive technology used to analyse inorganic substances.

It can simultaneously measure 70 elements. It also allows for screening analyses, which provide information on the chemical decomposition and composition of any given sample.

Typical detection limits are around 0.1 mg/L. This means that statements can be made on the provenance of the substance based on even the smallest impurity content (e.g. catalyst residues etc.).