Calcium

Location:  Group 2, Period 4
Atomic Weight:  40.078
Coordination Number:  6
Chemical Form in Solution:  Ca(H₂O)₆⁺²

Storage & Handling:  Keep tightly sealed when not in use. Store and use at 20 ± 4°C. Do not pipet from container. Do not return portions removed for pipetting to container.

Chemical Compatibility:  Soluble in HCl and HNO₃. Avoid H₂SO₄ HF, H₃PO₄ and neutral to basic media. Stable with most metals and inorganic anions forming insoluble silicate, carbonate, hydroxide, oxide, fluoride, sulfate, oxalate, chromate, arsenate, and tungstate in neutral aqueous media.

Stability:  2-100 ppb levels stable for months in 1% HNO₃ / LDPE container. 1-10,000 ppm solutions chemically stable for years in 1-10% HNO₃ / LDPE container.

Ca Containing Samples (Preparation & Solution):  Metal (best dissolved in diluted HNO₃); Ores (carbonate fusion in Pt⁰ followed by HCl dissolution); Organic Matrices (dry ash and dissolution in dilute HCl. Do not heat when dissolving to avoid precipitation of SiO₂). The oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, phosphate, and fluoride of calcium are soluble in % levels of HCl or HNO₃. The sulfates (gypsum, anhydrite, etc.), certain silicates, and complex compounds require fusion with Na₂CO₃ followed by HCl / water dissolution. Note that contamination is a very real problem when analyzing for trace levels.