EPA 3015A

EPA Method 3015A: Microwave Assisted Acid Digestion of Aqueous Samples and Extracts

Applicability: EPA Method 3015A is primarily applicable to the extraction or dissolution of metals from aqueous samples, including drinking water, mobility-procedure extracts, and wastes containing suspended solids, using microwave heating with nitric acid or a combination of nitric and hydrochloric acid. It’s important to note that this method is designed for leaching and may not achieve complete sample decomposition, meaning extracted analyte concentrations might not reflect the total content in the sample.

Purpose: EPA Method 3015A outlines a procedure for microwave-assisted acid digestion of aqueous samples and extracts, primarily for the preparation of samples for metal analysis. This method is not intended for complete sample decomposition but rather for extracting metals to assess their availability and potential toxicity.