Museum lead
Danielle Fuller
Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES
The Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES
Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) is an analytical technique routinely used to measure major, minor, and trace elements in various sample types and solution matrices. These include rock, mineral, and soil digests, brines, mining waste, plant and animal tissues, natural waters, and environmental and experimental solutions.
How it works
An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is used to excite the atoms and ions in a sample. As they relax from the excited state, they emit light at particular wavelengths characteristic of a specific element.
A spectrometer measures the intensity of these wavelengths to calculate the concentration of the elements in the sample.
The Agilent 5800 can measure concentrations from as low as parts per billion up to percent levels in solution. The instrument has fast analysis times and excellent sensitivity and can simultaneously measure up to 70 elements from as little as 5 mL of solution.
Examples of use
- Chemical analysis of meteorites and lunar rocks
- Quantification of silicon content in plants
- Complete chemical characterisation of rocks for geological studies
- Determination of trace metals in brines
- Ongoing monitoring of pond water chemistry
Key facts
- Chemical analysis at the Museum
- Technique: inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES)
- Solution volumes required for analysis: approximately 5 mL, depending on the application
- Elements routinely determined: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sc, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Y, Zn, Zr