Sodium analysis method

Abstract

A method of measuring sodium ion concentration in a sample including: providing an analysis sample; processing the analysis sample through an analysis device that vaporizes the analysis sample and provides emission spectra; measuring a first emission intensity at 589 nm and a second emission intensity at 819 nm for sodium ions; if the first emission intensity at 589 nm is not saturated, obtaining a sodium ion concentration from the first emission intensity at 589 nm; and if the first emission intensity at 589 nm is saturated, obtaining the sodium ion concentration from the second emission intensity at 819 nm.

Description

SODIUM ANALYSIS METHODCROSS REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 63 / 675398, filed 25 July 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Periodic soil testing is an important aspect of the agricultural arts. Test results provide valuable information on the chemical makeup of the soil such as plant-available nutrients and other important properties (e.g. levels of nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, pH, etc.) so that various amendments may be added to the soil to maximize the quality and quantity of crop production.

[0003] In some existing soil sampling processes, collected samples are dried, ground, water is added, and then filtered to obtain a soil slurry suitable for analysis. Extractant is added to the slurry to pull out various plant available nutrients (analytes). The slurry is then analyzed to ascertain the levels of the various plant available nutrients so that soil amendments may be made where necessary to replenish depleted nutrients in certain regions of the agricultural planting field.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] This summary is intended merely to introduce a simplified summary of some aspects of one or more implementations of the present disclosure. Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. This summary is not an extensive overview, nor is it intended to identify key or critical elements of the present teachings, nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure. Rather, its purpose is merely to present one or more concepts in simplified form as a prelude to the detailed description and brief description of the drawings provided below.

[0005] Aspects of the disclosure are generally directed toBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present invention may become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are labeled similarly and in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the emission intensity of sodium at 589 nm versus the concentration.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a graph showing the emission intensity of sodium at 819 nm versus the concentration.

[0009] It should be understood that the various aspects are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] For illustrative purposes, the principles of the present invention are described by referencing various exemplary embodiments thereof. Although certain embodiments of the invention are specifically described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to, and can be employed in other compositions and methods. Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of any particular embodiment disclosed herein. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

[0011] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context dictates otherwise. The singular form of any class of the ingredients refers not only to one chemical species within that class, but also to a mixture of those chemical species. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” may be used interchangeably herein. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” may be used interchangeably. The term “include” should be interpreted as “include, but are not limited to”. The term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but are not limited to”.

[0012] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. Thus, a range from 1-5, includes specifically 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, as well as subranges such as 2-5, 3-5, 2-3, 2-4, 1-4, etc.

[0013] The term “about” when referring to a number means any number within a range of 10% of the number. For example, the phrase “about 2 wt.%” refers to a number between and including 1.8 wt.% and 2.2 wt.%.

[0014] All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

[0015] The abbreviations and symbols as used herein, unless indicated otherwise, take their ordinary meaning. The abbreviation “wt.%” means percent by weight with respect to the extractant composition. The abbreviation ppm can either be based on mass (mg / kg) or volume (mL / L). The symbol “°” refers to a degree, such as a temperature degree or a degree of an angle. The symbols “h”, “min”, “mL”, “nm”, and “pm” refer to hour, minute, milliliter, nanometer, and micrometer, respectively. The abbreviation “UV-VIS” as referring to a spectrometer or spectroscopy, means Ultraviolet- Visible. The abbreviation “rpm” means revolutions per minute.

[0016] When referring to chemical structures, and names, the symbols “C”, “H”, and “O” mean carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, respectively. The symbols “=” and “=” mean single bond, double bond, and triple bond, respectively.

[0017] ‘ ‘Volatile”, as used herein, means having a flash point of less than about 100° C. “Nonvolatile”, as used herein, means having a flash point of greater than about 100° C.

[0018] Any member in a list of species that are used to exemplify or define a genus, may be mutually different from, or overlapping with, or a subset of, or equivalent to, or nearly the same as, or identical to, any other member of the list of species. Further, unless explicitly stated, such as when reciting a Markush group, the list of species that define or exemplify the genus is open, and it is given that other species may exist that define or exemplify the genus just as well as, or better than, any other species listed.

[0019] The phrases, “a mixture thereof,” “a combination thereof,” or a combination of two or more thereof’ do not require that the mixture include all of A, B, C, D, E, and F (although all of A, B,C, D, E, and F may be included). Rather, it indicates that a mixture of any two or more of A, B, C,D, E, and F can be included. In other words, it is equivalent to the phrase “one or more elements selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, and a mixture of any two or more of A, B, C, D, E, and F.” Likewise, the term “a salt thereof’ also relates to “salts thereof.” Thus, where the disclosure refers to “an element selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, a saltthereof, and a mixture thereof,” it indicates that that one or more of A, B, C, D, and F may be included, one or more of a salt of A, a salt of B, a salt of C, a salt of D, a salt of E, and a salt of F may be included, or a mixture of any two of A, B, C, D, E, F, a salt of A, a salt of B, a salt of C, a salt of D, a salt of E, and a salt of F may be included.

[0020] All components and elements positively set forth in this disclosure can be negatively excluded from the claims. In other words, the extractant compositions of the instant disclosure can be free or essentially free of all components and elements positively recited throughout the instant disclosure. In some instances, the extractant compositions of the present disclosure may be substantially free of non-incidental amounts of the ingredient(s) or compound(s) described herein. A non-incidental amount of an ingredient or compound is the amount of that ingredient or compound that is added into the extractant composition by itself. For example, an extractant composition may be substantially free of a non-incidental amount of an ingredient or compound, although such ingredient(s) or compound(s) may be present as part of a raw material that is included as a blend of two or more compounds.

[0021] Some of the various categories of components identified may overlap. In such cases where overlap may exist and the extractant composition includes both components (or the composition includes more than two components that overlap), an overlapping compound does not represent more than one component. For example, certain compounds may be characterized as both an acid and a chelating agent. If a particular extractant composition includes both an acid and a chelating agent, such a compound will serve only as either an acid or a chelating agent — not both. ‘

[0022] For readability purposes, the chemical functional groups are in their adjective form; for each of the adjectives, the word “group” is assumed. For example, the adjective “alkyl” without a noun thereafter, should be read as “an alkyl group.”

[0023] Aspects of the disclosure are generally directed to analysis of extractant compositions for sodium ion concentration, e.g., extractant compositions adapted for soil analysis. For example, the extractant compositions may be adapted for combination and / or mixing with a soil slurry comprising at least one soil particle and water. The extractant compositions may be adapted to extract one or more analytes and / or nutrients from the soil in the soil slurry. For instance, the extractant compositions may be adapted to extract sodium from soil and / or a soil slurry.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the extractant compositions may be specifically adapted for soil analysis using flame photometry, inductively coupled plasma, atomic emission spectroscopy or any energy source that may be used to transfer electrons to an excited state.

[0025] As a solution containing cations passes through a plasma or high energy source, the electrons are energized to an excited state. When the electrons return to the ground state, they emit different wavelengths of light that are characteristic of the specific elements in the solution. Because the electronic configuration of elements allows different quantum levels of excited states, the elements will emit light at different wavelengths with different emission intensities. The intensity of the light emissions is proportional to the concentration of the cations in the solution.

[0026] A UV / Vis detector is only capable of measuring up to a specific intensity for each wavelength. Once that intensity is reached, higher concentrations of cations will not produce a higher intensity reading in the detector. This is referred to as saturation of the detector.

[0027] For sodium, the main emission occurs at 589 nm which has a high intensity. At this wavelength, the detector can become saturated with low sodium concentrations. Sodium has a second emission line at 819 nm that emits a much lower emission intensity. Analysis at this wavelength allows analysis of higher sodium concentrations. However, emissions at 819 nm do not have enough resolutions to read samples with lower sodium concentrations.

[0028] Sodium is not normally measured using 819 nm because the optics configuration of commercially available Inductively Coupled Plasma instrumentation does not have the ability to measure wavelengths above 785 nm. The detector described in the applications listed below has a range of 200 to 900 nm, which allows the intensity of the 819 nm sodium emission line to be measured.

[0029] Previously, if a sample is analyzed at 589 nm for sodium, and the detector is saturated, the sample would be diluted to reduce the concentration of sodium ions and then measured again. The measured amount would then be adjusted by the dilution factor. Depending on the sodium ion concentration, multiple dilutions may be needed. Alternatively, the integration time of the spectrophotometer may be reduced to lower the measured emission intensity by reducing the time the detector is allowed to record emissions. The reduction in integration time, however, also reduces the emission intensity of cations. The integration time needs to be selected to still provide a measurable intensity of cations.

[0030] Measuring intensities at 589 nm and 819 nm in combination can provide a measurement of the sodium ion concentration across a range of low to high sodium ion concentrations without the need for dilution or altering the integration time. In one embodiment with certain optical configurations, a solution with a concentration between 0 to 5 ppm sodium (e.g., low concentration), the emission at 589 nm is measured, and or solutions with concentrations higher than 5 ppm, the emission at 819 nm is measured.

[0031] Sodium ion concentration can be measured using a UV / Vis spectrophotometer to measure emission lines generated from electrons that are moved to an excited state using a high energy source such as a plasma or flame photometry. In one embodiment, discharge plasma described in the applications below is used.

[0032] In one embodiment, the slurry is mixed with extractant and water to achieve a final extraction of 1 : 10 soil: extractant ml. The extracted soil is filtered through a 0.45 micron filter.

[0033] After extraction and filtration, the sample is diluted with a nitric acid solution. Examples of extractants are described below. In one embodiment, the sample is diluted in a weight ratio of extracted sample to diluent in a range of 1 to 20. In one embodiment, the diluent is a 0.1M nitric acid. This forms an analysis sample.

[0034] The analysis sample is processed through the system described in the applications listed below, and the emission intensity is measured at both 589 nm and 819 nm. If the emission intensity at 589 nm is not saturated, the sodium concentration is determined from the emission intensity at 589 nm. If the emission intensity at 589 nm is saturated, the sodium concentration is determined from the emission intensity at 819 nm.

[0035] A calibration of the system can be performed using standards of known concentrations and running the system with these standards to measure intensities at 589 nm and 819 nm. Any number of standards with concentrations of 1 to 25 ppm sodium or concentrations greater than 25 ppm sodium can be processed in the inductively coupled plasma system to create a calibration curve of emission intensities to concentration of sodium. In one embodiment, a selection of four standards can be processed through the inductively coupled plasma system. Three standards each with a concentration of 1 to 7 ppm can be processed through the inductively coupled plasma system. A fourth standard with a concentration of 7 to 25 ppm can be processed through the inductively coupled plasma system. Once the saturation at 589 nm is determined, the calibration curve switches to 819 nm.EXTRACTANT

[0036] An extractant composition can include about 0.03 M or more of a strong acid; about 0.001 M or more of a chelating agent; about 5 ppm or more of a metal; optionally, an exchangeable salt extractant selected from ammonium nitrate, ammonium fluoride, calcium chloride, Sikora buffer, BaCh, SrCh, LiCl, and a combination of two or more thereof; and optionally, a fluoride source, wherein the extractant composition has a pH of about 6 or less. In some embodiments, the extractant composition is a concentrated extractant composition.

[0037] An extractant composition can include one or more acids comprising hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, citric acid, or a combination of two or more thereof; a chelating agent; a metal; optionally, an exchangeable salt extractant; and optionally, a fluoride source, wherein the extractant composition has a pH of about 2 or less and the chelating agent is stable over a period of at least 3 months.

[0038] The extractant composition disclosed herein may have a pH of about 6 or less. In certain embodiments, the pH of the extractant composition is about 5 or less, about 4 or less, about 3 or less, about 2.75 or less, about 2.5 or less, about 2.25 or less, about 2 or less, about 1.75 or less, about 1.5 or less, about 1.25 or less, or about 1 or less. For instance, the extractant composition may have a pH from about 1 to about 4, about 1 to about 3, about 1 to about 2.75, about 1 to about 2.5, about 1 to about 2.25, about 1 to about 2, about 1 to about 1.75, about 1 to about 1.5; from about 1.25 to about 4, about 1.25 to about 3, about 1.25 to about 2.75, about 1.25 to about 2.5, about 1.25 to about 2.25, about 1.25 to about 2, about 1.25 to about 1.75; from about 1.5 to about 4, about 1.5 to about 3, about 1.5 to about 2.75, about 1.5 to about 2.5, about 1.5 to about 2.25, about 1.5 to about 2, about 1.5 to about 1.75; from about 1.75 to about 4, about 1.75 to about 3, about 1.75 to about 2.75, about 1.75 to about 2.5, about 1.75 to about 2.25, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0039] Preferably, the extractant composition is stable for a period of time of at least 3 months. For instance, the extractant composition may be stable for a period of at least 2 months, at least 3 months, at least 4 months, at least 5 months, at least 6 months, at least 8 months, at least 10 months, and / or at least 12 months. In some embodiments, the stability of the extractant composition is based on chelating agent not precipitating over the period of time if the composition is maintained at a temperature of about 20°C (e.g., without mixing, shaking, and / or stirring the extractant composition). In further embodiments, the stability of the extractant composition is based on noneof the dissolved compounds and / or suspended compounds precipitating over the period of time if the composition is maintained at a temperature of about 20°C (e.g., without mixing, shaking, and / or stirring the extractant composition). As mentioned above, in certain preferred embodiments, the extractant composition has any of the foregoing pH values while maintaining stability for any of the above listed periods of time.

[0040] Suitable components, such as those listed below, may be included or excluded from the formulations for the extractant compositions depending on the specific combination of other ingredients and the concentration or ratio of other ingredients. While the extractant composition is typically in the form of a single component composition, the extractant composition may have two phases in some embodiments.

[0041] The extractant compositions typically comprise one or more acid. Preferably, the one or more acid is a strong acid, such as a strong Lewis acid and / or Bronsted-Lowry acid. Examples of strong acids include chloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, perchloric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid. In some embodiments, the one or more acid comprises hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, or a combination of two or more thereof. In another embodiment, the acid(s) comprises nitric acid, or a combination thereof. In yet a further embodiment, the acid(s) comprises nitric acid. The one or more acid may be in the form, or added to the extractant in the form, of a salt. For instance, the extractant composition may include or have any of the aforementioned acids disclosed herein (e.g., chloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, perchloric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and / or citric acid) incorporated into the extractant composition in the form of a salt.

[0042] The extractant composition may, preferably, include at least one strong Bronsted-Lowry acid. In some embodiments, the acid(s) may consist of strong Lewis acids and / or strong Bronsted- Lowry acids. For example, the one or more acids consist of strong acids, such as those selected from chloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, perchloric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and a combination of two or more thereof. In some instances, the acid(s) consists of an acid selected from hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, citric acid, a salt thereof, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0043] The one or more acid (e.g., strong acid(s), such as strong Lewis acids and / or strong Bronsted-Lowry acids) may be present in the extractant composition in an amount of about 0.03 M or more. For example, the one or more acid may be present in a molar concentration from about0.03 to about 0.6 M, about 0.03 to about 0.5 M, about 0.03 to about 0.4 M, about 0.03 to about 0.3 M, about 0.03 to about 0.2 M, about 0.03 to about 0.1 M; from about 0.05 to about 0.6 M, about 0.05 to about 0.5 M, about 0.05 to about 0.4 M, about 0.05 to about 0.3 M, about 0.05 to about 0.2 M, about 0.05 to about 0.1 M; from about 0.07 to about 0.6 M, about 0.07 to about 0.5 M, about 0.07 to about 0.4 M, about 0.07 to about 0.3 M, about 0.07 to about 0.2 M, about 0.07 to about 0.1 M; from about 0.1 to about 0.6 M, about 0.1 to about 0.5 M, about 0.1 to about 0.4 M, about 0.1 to about 0.3 M, about 0.1 to about 0.2 M; from about 0.15 to about 0.6 M, about 0.15 to about 0.5 M, about 0.15 to about 0.4 M, about 0.15 to about 0.3 M; from about 0.2 to about 0.6 M, about 0.2 to about 0.5 M, about 0.2 to about 0.4 M, about 0.2 to about 0.3 M; from about 0.3 to about 0.6 M, about 0.3 to about 0.5 M, about 0.3 to about 0.4 M; from about 0.4 to about 0.6 M, about 0.4 to about 0.5 M, about 0.5 to about 0.6 M, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, the extractant composition may have a reduced amount, be substantially free of, or free of weak acids (other than chelating agents), such as weak Lewis acids and / or weak Bronsted-Lowry acid. For example, the extractant composition may have a molar concentration of about 0.6 M or less, about 0.4 M or less, about 0.2 M or less, about 0.1 M or less, about 0.05 M or less, about 0.01 M or less, about 0.005 M or less, about 0.001 M or less, or about 0.0001 M or less of weak acids and / or salts thereof, such as weak Lewis acids and / or weak Bronsted-Lowry acids. In at least one embodiment, the extractant composition may have about 0 M or 0 M of weak acids, including, e.g., weak Lewis acids and / or weak Bronsted-Lowry acids.

[0045] In certain embodiments, the extractant composition may have a reduced amount, be substantially free of, or free of acetic acid and / or a salt thereof. For example, the extractant composition may have a molar concentration of about 0.6 M or less, about 0.4 M or less, about 0.2 M or less, about 0.1 M or less, about 0.05 M or less, about 0.01 M or less, about 0.005 M or less, about 0.001 M or less, or about 0.0001 M or less of acetic acid and / or salts thereof. In at least one embodiment, the extractant composition may have about 0 M or 0 M of acetic acid and / or a salt thereof.

[0046] In certain embodiments, however, it was unexpectedly discovered that citric acid may be suitably utilized in certain embodiments of the extractant composition. Without being limited to any particular theory, citric acid in combination with the other components and / or ingredients of the extractant composition achieves enhanced extraction properties / characteristics.

[0047] The extractant composition can include one or more chelating agent(s). Non-limiting examples of chelating agent(s) include hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), trisodium HEDTA, tripotassium HEDTA, trisodium HEDTA monohydrate, disodium HEDTA, ethylene glycol-bis(P-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and / or a salt thereof, di ethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid and / or a salt thereof, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (ED TA), monosodium EDTA, EDTA disodiumsalt, tetrasodium EDTA, or a combination of two or more thereof. For instance, the chelating agent(s) may be selected from hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), ethylene glycol-bis(P-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, a salt thereof, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0048] The chelating agent(s) disclosed herein may be in the form of a salt. In some embodiments, the chelating agent(s) comprises trisodium HEDTA, tripotassium HEDTA, trisodium HEDTA Monohydrate, disodium HEDTA, a salt of ethylene glycol-bis(P-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'- tetraacetic acid, a salt of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, or a combination of two or more thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the chelating agent may be selected from hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid, trisodium HEDTA, tripotassium HEDTA, trisodium HEDTA monohydrate, disodium HEDTA, ethylene glycol-bis(P-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'- tetraacetic acid and / or a salt thereof, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid and / or a salt thereof, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0049] The extractant composition may include the chelating agent(s) in an amount of about 0.001 M or more. For example, the chelating agent(s) may be present in a molar concentration from about 0.001 to about 0.03 M, about 0.001 to about 0.025 M, about 0.001 to about 0.02 M, aboutO.001 to about 0.015 M, about 0.001 to about 0.01 M, about 0.001 to about 0.0075 M, about 0.001 to about 0.006 M, about 0.001 to about 0.005 M; from about 0.003 to about 0.03 M, about 0.003 to about 0.025 M, about 0.003 to about 0.02 M, about 0.003 to about 0.015 M, about 0.003 to about 0.01 M, about 0.003 to about 0.0075 M, about 0.003 to about 0.006 M; from about 0.005 to about 0.03 M, about 0.005 to about 0.025 M, about 0.005 to about 0.02 M, about 0.005 to about 0.015 M, about 0.005 to about 0.01 M, about 0.005 to about 0.0075 M; from about 0.007 to about 0.03 M, about 0.007 to about 0.025 M, about 0.007 to about 0.02 M, about 0.007 to about 0.015 M, about 0.007 to about 0.01 M; from about 0.01 to about 0.03 M, about 0.01 to about 0.025 M, about 0.01 to about 0.02 M, about 0.01 to about 0.015 M; from about 0.015 to about 0.03 M, about 0.015to about 0.025 M, about 0.015 to about 0.02 M, about 0.02 to about 0.03 M, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0050] In some embodiments, however, the extractant composition has a reduced amount, is substantially free of, or is free of diethylenetriamene pentaacetate (DTPA) and / or a salt thereof. For example, the extractant composition may have a molar concentration of about 0.6 M or less, about 0.4 M or less, about 0.2 M or less, about 0.1 M or less, about 0.05 M or less, about 0.01 M or less, about 0.005 M or less, about 0.001 M or less, or about 0.0001 M or less of DTPA and / or salts thereof. In at least one embodiment, the extractant composition may have about 0 M or 0 M of DTPA and / or a salt thereof.

[0051] Additionally or alternatively, the extractant composition may have a reduced amount, be substantially free of, or be free of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (ED TA) and / or a salt thereof. For example, the extractant composition may have a molar concentration of about 0.6 M or less, about 0.4 M or less, about 0.2 M or less, about 0.1 M or less, about 0.05 M or less, about 0.01 M or less, about 0.005 M or less, about 0.001 M or less, or about 0.0001 M or less of ED TA and / or salts thereof. In at least one embodiment, the extractant composition may have about 0 M or 0 M of ED TA and / or a salt thereof.

[0052]

[0053] The system for analyzing an agricultural sample disclosed herein is usable with and may form part of an overall agricultural sampling and analysis systems, such as but not limited to those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018 / 0124992A1, US20210123836A1,US20210123936A1, US20210131917A1, US20210131929A1, US20210208035A1,US20210208036A1, US20210208037A1, US20210208123A1, US20210268456A1,US20210285869A1, US20210341442A1, US20210341452A1, US20220196628A1,US20230133335A1, US20230144670A1, US20230151810A1, US20230173415A1,US20230243792A1, US20230243801A1, US20230243802A1, US20230243804A1,US20230266289A1, US20230266290A1, US20230273130A1, US20230273171A1,US20230273172A1, US20230273173A1, US20230304987A1, US20230417363A1,US20230417635A1, US20240189743 Al, US20240189744A1, US20240192112A1,US20240192708A1, US20240198331A1, US20240200547A1,Publication Nos.W02021 / 171120, WO2021 / 171121, WO2022 / 243792, WO2022 / 243797, WO2022 / 243806,WO2022 / 243807, WO2022 / 243809, WO2022 / 259071, WO2022 / 259073, WO2022 / 259074,WO2023 / 031725, WO2023 / 031726, WO2023 / 031727, W02023 / 042032, W02023 / 042033,W02023 / 042035, W02023 / 042036, W02023 / 042037, W02023 / 042038, W02023 / 042039,WO2023 / 161727, WO2023 / 161728, WO2023 / 170480, WO2023 / 170482, WO2023 / 227959,WO2023 / 227960, WO2023 / 248015, WO2023 / 248016, WO2024 / 023728, WO2024 / 023729,W02024 / 023730, and WO2024 / 023731, PCT Application Nos. PCT / IB2024 / 051283, filed 12- Feb-2024 and PCT / IB2024 / 051820, filed 26-Feb-2024, U.S. Application Nos. 63 / 551120, filed 08-Feb-2024, 63 / 552730, filed 13-Feb-2024, 63 / 552739, filed 13-Feb-2024, 63 / 559305, filed 29- Feb-2024, 63 / 559308, filed 29-Feb-2024, 63 / 559312, filed 29-Feb-2024, 63 / 559316, filed 29-Feb- 2024, 63 / 586486, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586489, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586497, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586500, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586504, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586510, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586514, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586524, filed ll-Oct-2023, 63 / 586529, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586545, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586551, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586555, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586562, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586608, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586619, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586630, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586638, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586656, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586672, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586702, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586726, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586955, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586966, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586978, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586984, filed 29-Sep-2023, 63 / 586990, filed 29-Sep-2023, and 63 / 646070, filed 13-May-2024.

[0054] The following are nonlimiting examples

[0055] Example 1 - a method of measuring sodium ion concentration in a sample comprising: providing an analysis sample; processing the analysis sample through an analysis device that vaporizes the analysis sample and provides emission spectra; measuring a first emission intensity at 589 nm and a second emission intensity at 819 nm for sodium ions; if the first emission intensity at 589 nm is not saturated, obtaining a sodium ion concentration from the first emission intensity at 589 nm; and if the first emission intensity at 589 nm is saturated, obtaining the sodium ion concentration from the second emission intensity at 819 nm.

[0056] Example 2 - the method of Example 1, wherein the analysis device is a flame photometry device, a device that generates a plasma, an inductively coupled plasma device, an atomic emission spectroscopy device, or a device with an energy source that transfers electrons to an excited state.

[0057] Example 3 - the method of any preceding Example, wherein the analysis sample is a soil extract.

[0058] Example 4 - the method of any preceding Example further comprising calibrating the analysis device before processing the analysis sample.

[0059] Example 5 - the method of Example 4, wherein calibrating comprises creating a calibration curve by processing standards of sodium ion concentrations each in a range of 1 to 25 ppm sodium ions.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is Claimed is:

1. A method of measuring sodium ion concentration in a sample comprising: providing an analysis sample; processing the analysis sample through an analysis device that vaporizes the analysis sample and provides emission spectra; measuring a first emission intensity at 589 nm and a second emission intensity at 819 nm for sodium ions; if the first emission intensity at 589 nm is not saturated, obtaining a sodium ion concentration from the first emission intensity at 589 nm; and if the first emission intensity at 589 nm is saturated, obtaining the sodium ion concentration from the second emission intensity at 819 nm.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the analysis device is a flame photometry device, a device that generates a plasma, an inductively coupled plasma device, an atomic emission spectroscopy device, or a device with an energy source that transfers electrons to an excited state.

3. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the analysis sample is a soil extract.

4. The method of any preceding claim further comprising calibrating the analysis device before processing the analysis sample.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein calibrating comprises creating a calibration curve by processing standards of sodium ion concentrations each in a range of 1 to 25 ppm sodium ions.

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