[ExI] Ants to spike

[Brent Neal]

On 20 Oct, 2009, at 13:15, Eugen Leitl wrote:

> It is strange what a physicist considers easier. I think 18th/19th
> century qualitative analytics is hard to beat in speed and
> simplicity.



Clearly, you've never used an XRF. :) Less than 2 minutes of sample  
prep (load powder or flak into PP vial) and about 2 minutes of scan  
time. Look for lead peak. Done. XRF is widely used in industry for  
quick assay, especially in environmental analyses.  Just cause its  
"instrumentation" doesn't make it complicated! Spectroscopy is well- 
accessible to a citizen scientist.


Also, you need more than eye for lead chromate, because how will you  
tell it from other blue pigments?

B

--
Brent Neal, Ph.D.
http://brentn.freeshell.org
<brentn at freeshell.org>