Metal Digestion

Metal digestion is a laboratory process used to break down samples containing metals into a form that can be accurately measured. It involves treating the sample with strong acids, often heated under controlled conditions, to dissolve the metals completely. This process ensures that metals are released from complex materials—like soils, rocks, or biological tissues—allowing precise analysis using techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Metal digestion is essential for environmental testing, quality control, and research, providing reliable data on metal concentrations in various samples.