Trace Elements
Trace elements including heavy metals, and cations in water and solid matrices.
Terra Scientific offer accurate and reliable trace metals analysis services. Our laboratory uses Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyse 27 elements in water, soils, and sludges in accordance with EPA methods.
Our expert team ensures the highest level of accuracy, efficiency, and reliability in our testing procedures to provide you with timely results and the information you need to make informed decisions.
Metals and Trace Elements
The analysis of elements in soil and water matrices are important in determining background concentrations and the toxicity impacts on human health and the environment. Heavy metals can be found in air, water, and soil, and can be a sign of pollution or contamination from human activities. Testing for trace elements can provide insight into the current state of the environment, helping to protect public health and safety.
Terra Scientific provides accurate and reliable analysis of trace elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and is accredited for 27 elements in water, soils, and sludges in accordance with EPA methods.
Terra Scientific is accredited for the following elements:
- Aluminium (Al)
- Antimony (Sb)
- Arsenic (As)
- Boron (B)
- Barium (Ba)
- Beryllium (Be)
- Calcium (Ca)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Chromium (Cr)
- Cobalt (Co)
- Copper (Cu)
- Iron (Fe)
- Lead (Pb)
- Lithium (Li)
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Manganese (Mn)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Molybdenum (Mo)
- Potassium (K)
- Nickle (Ni)
- Selenium (Se)
- Silver (Ag)
- Sodium (Na)
- Strontium (Sr)
- Uranium (U)
- Vanadium (V)
- Zinc (Zn)
The most common suites include:
- Comprehensive suite (Al, Ag, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, U, V, Zn)
- Cations (Ca, K, Mg, Na)
- National Environmental Standard (NES) Contaminants (As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg)
- Heavy Metals (10E – As, B, Be, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn)
- Heavy Metals (9E – As, B, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn)
- Heavy Metals (8E – As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn)
- Heavy Metals (7E – As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn)
- Heavy Metals (6E – As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Zn)
Samples should be submitted in plastic containers or bottles. The minimum sample size for water samples requiring measurement of dissolved or total recoverable metals is 100mL. If possible, submit water samples within 1 week of sampling, and chill until samples are submitted.
The minimum sample size preferred for soils and solids is 250g. To ensure the safety of yourself and our team, samples must be properly sealed prior to submission.
Terra Scientific offers soil and water containers for trace element analysis, both unpreserved and nitric acid preserved. We also offer kits for filtering water samples requiring analysis of dissolved elements. Chilly bins and icepacks can also be supplied if required. If you need any of these items, please get in touch with the laboratory.
Standard turnaround times for soil and water analysis are between 3-5 business days. Urgent turnarounds are available on request depending on the laboratory’s capacity and time of sample submission. A 50% surcharge applies to urgent chemistry analysis. Please contact us first if you require urgent analysis as these are dependent on laboratory availability.