ABSTRACT
Environmental samples are often complex mixtures of organic and inorganic components that vary widely in their makeup depending on many factors, which include geological controls, geographical location, depth, climate, and anthropogenic inputs. Consequently, the chemical composition of environmental samples is very varied. For example, a major chemical component of one soil type can be a trace component of others. To provide a comprehensive elemental analysis of environmental samples it is therefore necessary to have an analytical method capable of determining most chemical elements over concentration ranges varying from percent to ultratrace.
