Dosage of inorganic compounds

The analysis of inorganic compounds allows for the identification and quantification of ions, minerals, and chemical species lacking organic carbon. These compounds play a central role in physicochemical equilibria, water quality, the conformity of industrial products, and compliance with environmental and health standards. Their analysis is essential in the environmental, agri-food, cosmetics, materials, and chemical sectors.

Inorganic compounds encompass a wide variety of families: major anions, trace metals, nutrients, regulated minerals, priority contaminants, and corrosion products. Their presence influences the stability of formulations, the safety of finished products, the bioavailability of nutrients, and environmental toxicity.

Industrial interests and regulatory challenges

This analysis addresses essential needs for:

• assess the conformity of the water (drinking, technical, process, discharge)
• to control the quality of raw materials or mineral ingredients
• monitor for trace metals or priority contaminants
• characterize technical formulations (detergents, fertilizers, treatment baths)
• measure the ions involved in the corrosion or aging of materials
• defining ionic profiles for environmental studies
• documenting regulatory files (REACH, water standards, cosmetics, agriculture)

Accurate identification of inorganic elements is a key step in controlling risks and securing industrial production chains.

Available analytical techniques

The assay relies on reference methods recognized for their reliability and sensitivity:

• ICP-OES (optical emission spectrometry): rapid multi-element analysis for minerals and metals
• ICP-MS (mass spectrometry): very high sensitivity for trace metals
• Ion chromatography: selective separation of major anions and cations
• AAS (atomic absorption spectroscopy): targeted measurement of specific elements
• Conductimetry or titrimetry: complementary analyses depending on the matrices

The choice of technique depends on the element sought, the expected concentration and the nature of the matrix.

Analyzed matrices

• drinking water, technical water, wastewater
• ultrapure waters of type P2 or D1
• cosmetics, lotions, rinse baths
• food products or mineral ingredients
• soils, sediments, leachates
• industrial solutions, chemical formulations
• materials capable of releasing ions

Examples of inorganic compounds analyzed

• anions: chlorides, nitrates, sulfates, phosphates, fluorides
• cations: sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, ammonium
• Metals: iron, copper, zinc, chromium, arsenic, nickel, cadmium, lead
• specific oxyanion species: chromates, molybdates, vanadates
• Regulated ions in water: aluminum, manganese, barium

Additional analyses

P2 type water analysis.
Suitable for verifying ionic purity in industrial processes.

Water analysis type D1
Essential control of technical or industrial utility water.

Conductivity measurement
allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of the ionic profile of a solution.

Why go through YesWeLab?

YesWeLab supports manufacturers in managing their inorganic analyses through a network of expert laboratories selected based on the matrices, standards to be met, and required techniques. Analyses are performed according to ISO 17025 standards or equivalent, with comprehensive monitoring via a single digital platform. Companies benefit from technical support, selection of the most suitable laboratory, and simplified management of all their analytical services.