Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES)

ICP-OES is an analytical technique that introduces a liquid sample into an argon plasma at high temperatures.  The atoms and ions present in the plasma emit light at a specific wavelength when excited in the plasma. This light is detected by an optical detector.  The NWQL uses ICP-OES to analyze for major cations and trace metals in waters, sediments, and tissues.