Laser ashing: an alternative decomposition method. Part 1. Determination of Ca, Mg and K in plant material by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

The decomposition of plant material by a CO2 laser ashing method is described. To evaluate the usefulness of the method Ca, Mg and K were determined in pine needles (NBS 1575), hay (IAEA V-10) and spruce needles by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after decomposition of the samples by the laser technique, acid digestion and acid leaching. The laser technique was found to be more rapid for a small number of samples than acid digestion and of satisfactory precision and accuracy.