The classic aqua regia and EPA 3051A methods can mislead environmental assessments and certifications: Potentially harmful elements resorption in short-range order materials.

EPA 3051A and Aqua Regia (AR) are widely adopted by global environmental agencies to assess soil quality in relation to potentially harmful elements (PHE). However, previous study has shown the formation of large amounts of short-range order materials (SRO) in the residues of these extractions. Residues obtained from the 3051A and AR were recovered from filter papers.