Digestion or Direct Solid Analysis – A Fast and Precise Technique for Trace and Ultra-trace Analytics

The main problem in modern trace analysis is to ensure correctness of data. Methods, which only require a small number of sample preparation steps, are extremely advantageous, as they minimise the risk of contamination. Besides time savings, one of the major advantages of determining trace elements directly as solids is the avoidance of contamination of the sample from the solvent during sample digestion. Analytik Jena makes this possible with the automatic solid sampler SSA 600 (Figure 1). The classical methods of sample preparation for atomic spectroscopy include various digestion techniques. The associated investment in time and personnel limits the sample throughput achievable in the analytical laboratory. Reagents are required, both for digestion and for the subsequent steps, such as dilution, which, along with the vessels and handling of the samples, can lead to contamination and inaccuracy.