ABSTRACT
Samples containing particulate or organic material generally require pretreatment before analysis.
Colorless, transparent samples (primarily drinking water) containing a turbidity of less than 1 NTU (nephelometric turbidity unit), and single-phase samples can be analyzed directly via atomic absorption spectroscopy or inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy for total metals without digestion. For further verification or to determine changes in existing matrices, compare digested and undigested samples to ensure comparable results. Digest all other samples before determination of total metals.
