ALUMINIUM SALTS
Mix equal quantities (about 1 gram) of the sample and sodium carbonate and burn to an ash. Extract with boiling water and filter. Add to this filtrate enough ammonium chlorid solution to cause a distinct evolution of ammonia. The formation of a flocculent precipitate shows the presence of aluminium. This test may be used when phosphates are present.
AMMONIA
Present in the Form of Ammonia Alum or Ammonium Carbonate
Make a cold water extract of the powder and boil it with sodium hydroxid. Test the steam with moist red litmus paper.
EARTHY MATERIALS
Treat the sample with warm potassium hydroxid. A residue indicates some earthy material.