Trace elements are chemical elements that are present in very small amounts in a material or substance. They are typically found in concentrations of less than 0.1% by weight.
Trace element analysis is important because trace elements can have a significant impact on the properties and behavior of a material. They can also provide valuable information about the origin and history of a material.
Some common techniques used for trace element analysis include atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy.
AAS measures the absorption of light by the atoms of a sample to determine the concentration of specific elements. ICP-MS uses high-energy plasma to ionize and atomize a sample, allowing for the detection and quantification of trace elements. XRF spectroscopy measures the fluorescent X-rays emitted by a sample when exposed to high-energy X-rays.
Trace element analysis is used in a wide range of fields, including environmental science, geology, forensics, and materials science. It is used to analyze samples such as soil, water, rocks, metals, and biological tissues to understand their composition and identify potential contaminants or sources.