This Guide compares methods used for the determination of trace elements in coal and coal ash. The trace elements include those elements listed in the Australian National Pollutant Inventory: arsenic, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chlorine, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium and zinc. Also included are vanadium and molybdenum; these trace elements are not listed in the National Pollutant Inventory Environment Australia,* but are listed as being of major or moderate concern by the United States Research Council. To this list can be added the radioactive trace elements, thorium and uranium.

* Environment Australia, http://www.environment.gov.au/epg/npi/index.html