extraction yield (see Sect. 3.2). However, it has to be noted that information on the
grain size distribution get lost during this process. Water samples are often filtrated
prior to analyses. Commonly a filtration with 0.45 μm mesh size is performed, since
this grain size defines the boundary between particulate matter and dissolved
species.
Sampling
Sample
material
Sterilizing
Cooling/
freezing
Darkness
Drying
Grinding
FiltraƟon
Analysis
Solids
Liquids
Storage
Pretreatment
Fig. 3.1 Schematic workflow of sample handling after sampling and prior to the main analytical
procedure. Note different pathways are possible (only pretreatment or storage (black), first storage
followed by pretreatment (blue), or storage after pretreatment (red))
16
3 Sample Treatment