Mwanza Laboratory: Mon to Sun 08:00 to 17:00

Four-Acid or Aqua Regia Digestion?

Laboratory glassware for sample digestion

Dissolving the sample

Before many instrument analyses, a sample has to be dissolved. The acids used decide how much of the sample goes into solution.

Aqua regia

Aqua regia is a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids. It is a partial digestion, ideal for mobile metals in soils and sediments and widely used in exploration geochemistry.

Four-acid digestion

A four-acid digestion uses four acids to achieve near-total recovery of elements from complex mineral matrices, including many silicate minerals.

Choosing

The right choice depends on the elements you want and the type of sample. Contact us if you would like advice. See our aqua regia and four-acid services.