Determining multi-elemental composition is a relatively new technique in the origin tracing of timber. A large set of elements (such as Mg, Ca, K) is measured simultaneously by dissolving a small amount of wood and measuring it through mass spectrometry. Differences may occur in the multi-elemental composition of wood through differences in soil characteristics for example. Like stable istope ratios this method has already been used in a variety of commodities, from capers to asparagus. In these commodities it has shown a high potential at small spatial scales. We were the first to apply this method to timber and results are starting to appear.
