The Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies (IMEDEA) and the Marine Science Institute of Andalusía (ICMAN) are prestigious research centers belonging to CSIC (Higher Council for Scientific Research) closely linked to the University of the Balearic Islands and the University of Cadiz.
The study of trace elements to ambient levels requires the use of high purity acid. Moreover, all the material used in the preparation of samples and subsequent analysis must be cleaned thoroughly with high purity concentrated acid. Therefore, buying high-quality acids is essential and it implicates high costs for the lab. Buying a sub-boiling distillation system, subPUR, and steam cleaning system, traceCLEAN, allowed the laboratory to produce their own high-purity acids and increased the overall efficiency of the cleaning materials being used. Furthermore, they led to a dramatic cost reduction and operation time.