What method can be used to expose metals in soil into solution for analysis.

Answer 1

One common method used to expose metals in soil into solution for analysis is the extraction method.

In this method, a soil sample is first dried and ground to a fine powder. The powdered sample is then mixed with a suitable extracting solution, such as nitric acid or aqua regia, in a beaker or vessel. The mixture is stirred or shaken to ensure proper contact between the soil and the extracting solution.

The beaker containing the mixture is then subjected to various extraction techniques, such as heating, digestion, or ultrasonic agitation, to facilitate the release of metals from the soil particles. The choice of extraction method depends on the type and concentration of metals being analyzed.

Once the extraction process is complete, the resulting solution is filtered to remove any solid particles or debris. The filtered solution, known as the extract, is then ready for analysis using techniques like atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the concentration of metals present in the soil.