Water

The mobility of water makes it an excellent exploration tool.

As water contacts an ore deposit, major changes occur in its chemical composition. This can occur as rain causing weathering on rocks or flowing underground water. These water soluble weathering products and suspended matter can then be compared to background levels of chemical elements in the water to aid in determining the dispersion pattern.

The sensitivity of the ICP-Mass Spectrometers at AcmeLabs provides the ultra low detection limits required to determine background and anomalous levels.

The mobility of water makes it an excellent exploration tool. As water contacts an ore deposit, major changes occur in its chemical composition. This can occur as rain causing weathering on rocks or flowing underground water. These water soluble weathering products and suspended matter can then be compared to background levels of chemical elements in the water to aid in determining the dispersionpattern.The sensitivity of the ICP-Mass Spectrometers at AcmeLabs provides the ultra low detection limits required to determine background and anomalous levels.

Preparation

Samples received by AcmeLabs are run as received. In order to ensure the most accurate readings of samples submitted it is recommended that the following handling procedures be considered when planning your sampling and choosing a method of delivery for samples.

Sampling

In order to ensure a representative sample, samples should be collected in pre-cleaned, HDPE plastic bottles that have been rinsed with sample three times prior to use. Keep in mind that if dissolved metals are required the sample should be filtered through a 0.45 um filter prior to acidification.

Preservation

If anions, pH alkalinity or conductivity are required samples should be kept refrigerated. For metals analysis due to the problems of absorption or precipitation the sample should be acidified to pH <2 as soon as possible after collection with environmental grade (ultra pure) nitric acid. Pre-acidifying sample bottles before a sampling program is not recommended as this can result in leaching of metals from the bottle. Unacidified filtered samples can be acidified at the laboratory but must sit for seven days to dissolve any absorbed or precipitated metals.

Important: Acidified water samples can not be analysed for anions and a second unacidified sample should be sent if required.

The following table summarizes the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection’s recommendations for sample preservation and holding times which should be considered when planning your sampling and choosing a method of delivery for samples.