Elemental and trace metal analysis

The elemental and trace metal analysis lab is fully equipped with a range of instruments to trace elements and metals in environmental samples. We support many different projects in a range of fields: environmental, health, minerals and materials research.

Element and trace metal lab Brett and Jason

The facility is equipped with a triple-quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (qqqICPMS), a simultaneous inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICPAES), an ion chromatography (IC) system. In addition, we operate a seaFAST trace metal concentration system and laser ablation unit that can be coupled to the qqqICPMS for chemical and isotopic composition of liquid and solid samples (respectively).

The lab is capable of analysing many different sample matrices, such as water, vegetation, sediment, geological and biota.

Notes:
1. Limits of detection may vary depending on sample size & matrix. Only environmental samples may be submitted for analysis to ERTG laboratories. Please contact us to discuss submission of other sample types.
2. Please inform us if you are submitting samples with concentrations above the upper limit, so we can avoid instrument contamination
3. Precision my vary for small samples sizes and atypical matrices
4. Prices may vary depending on how the samples are provided, solid samples must be provided dried and ground
5. ICPAES analysis pricing is based on 5 elements per sample, with each additional element charged at $2.5
6. ICPMS analysis pricing is based on 5 elements per sample, with each additional element charged at $3.5
Capability	Typical¹ Limits of Detection²	Precision³	Contact Person	Pricing Unit	Commercial Price⁴
Anions via Ion Chromatography	0.01-1 ppm lower limit, 1000 ppm upper limit	5 - 10%	Chris Vardanega	sample	$66
Elements via ICPAES	5-100 ppb lower limit, 1000 ppm upper limit	5 - 10%	Chris Vardanega	Sample⁵	$47 (first 5 elements)
Sr:Ca, Mg:Ca ratios by ICPAES	n/a	5%	Chris Vardanega	sample	$28
Elements via Triple Quadrapole ICPMS	0.01 - 1 ppb lower limit, 10 ppm upper limit	5 - 10%	Chris Vardanega	Sample⁶	$82 (first 5 elements)
Elements via SeaFast Triple Quadrapole ICPMS (ultra-trace Rare Earth Elements)	<10 ppt lower limit, 10 ppm upper limit	5%	Chris Vardanega	sample	$129
Laser Ablation ICPMS	discuss before submission	discuss before submission	Chris Vardanega	day	Project specific
Physical measurements - pH, Conductivity	n/a	10 - 20%	Chris Vardanega	sample	$26
Alkalinity	n/a	10 - 20%	Chris Vardanega	sample	$56
Sample Preparation - microwave digestion	0.1- 0.2 grams	n/a	Chris Vardanega	sample	$66
Sample preparation - fusion	0.1 grams	n/a	Chris Vardanega	sample	$75
Freeze drying	discuss before submission	n/a	Chris Vardanega	day	$427