ABSTRACT
Today the geoanalyst is extremely fortunate to have a plethora of analytical techniques and methods available; in fact, the choice is perhaps becoming daunting. The gravimetric and colorimetric methods dating mainly from the first half of this century have been superseded by the introduction of instrumental techniques, such as atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and ICP mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). An historical perspective of this instrumental revolution can be gleaned from Potts et al. (1993), who discuss major events, discoveries, and publications related to the development of modern inorganic geochemistry. In this chapter, the so-called “wet-chemical” techniques of AAS, ICP-AES, and ICP-MS are reviewed as they relate to the determination of trace elements in aquatic sediments. The literature cited comes from the traditional journals read by the geoanalyst working in the fields of environmental studies and exploration geochemistry, disciplines that merge in their common goal of gaining further understanding of the geochemical processes occurring in the surficial environment.
