Environmental LaboratoryEnvironmental Laboratory Central Analytical Facility - Stellenbosch University

Victoria Street, Lombardi Building, Room 3016

The Environmental laboratory undertakes analysis of soil, sediment, rock, water and plant materials for environmental, ecological, geological and agricultural investigations. The laboratory is equipped with a range of sophisticated modern equipment, such as atomic absorption spectrometry, ion chromatography, elemental combustion analysis, UV-visible spectrometry, titrimetry, pH, Redox, electrical conductivity measurements, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

Soil AnalystMr M W GordonTel: (021) 8084788Fax: (021) 8084791Email: mgord@sun.ac.za

Sample Preparation TechnicianMr H AchillesTel: (021) 8084788Fax: (021) 8084791e-mail: hjachill@sun.ac.za

Laboratory managerXRF analystEsmé SpicerTel: (021) 8084788Fax: (021) 8084791Email: spicer@sun.ac.za

Water AnalystMe Wernich FoitFood Science Water laboratoryTel: (021) 8084788Fax: (021) 8084791Email: foitw@sun.ac.za

Flame Atomic Absorption Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)Spectrometry (AAS)

The lab is equipped with two dedicated AAS instruments: the Varian Spectra AA-250 PLUS and the more modern Varian AA 240FS. The latter is fast sequential, meaning that it can determine more than one element in a sample before moving to the next sample. One instrument is dedicated to trace elements (e.g. zinc, copper, lead) and the other to major elements such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. Calibrations are performed with certified standard reference materials from Riedel-de Haen®. Detection limits are in the ppm range, depending on the method and matrix. International reference materials are used for precision tests.

Sample requirements: liquid samples 20 ml, solid soils 1 kg, plant materials 20-100 g (confirm with Matt Gordon)

Some sample preparation is required, prior to the final analysis, for soil and plant samples. This involves drying, crushing, milling, extraction and digestion of the samples. The sample preparation and pre-preparation for the ICP-MS laboratory can be undertaken by the laboratory if clients do not have their own facilities.

VARIAN AA-240FS

Elemental analysis (carbon, Elemental analysis (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen)hydrogen, nitrogen)

The EA Euro 3000 is a compact, fully automatic elemental analyzer for the determination of total wt% C, H and N in soil, plant and solid samples. It is based on innovative turbo-flash combustion technology employing pressurized oxygen injection and represents a quantum leap in the art of dynamic flash combustion as well as high temperature (HT) pyrolytic oxygen and hydrogen analysis for elemental and isotopic analysis. Detection limits are typically 0.01 wt%, depending on the material. Calibration is performed with certified standards from Eurovector® and these are also used for routine quality control.

Sample requirements: solid samples 10 g

EA Euro 3000

Ion chromatographyIon chromatography

The DX-120 ion chromatograph is used for a multitude of water-soluble anions in aqeous matrices. The instrument combines efficient isocratic separations with digital conductivity detection to provide highly selective and sensitive analyses of soil water extracts and water samples. This instrument is fully automated allowing a large sample throughput. Typical analytes are nitrate (NO3-), nitrite(NO2-), chloride(Cl-), sulfate (SO42-), Phosphate (PO43-) and fluoride (F-). Detection limits are typically in the ppm range and calibration is performed with certified reference materials from Dionix® and these standards are used for routine quality control.

Sample requirements: Liquid 10 ml, solids 20g

DX-120 Ion Chromatograph

X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF)X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF)

XRF is ideal for rapid and accurate whole bulk elemental analysis in rock or soil samples. The gas-flow proportional counting detector and scintillation detector, or a combination of the two, are used to cover the elements fluorine to uranium. Major elements are analysed on a fused glass bead and trace elements are analysed on a powder briquette. A wide range of international (NIST®) and national (SARM®) standards is used in the calibration procedures and quality control (precision and accuracy) for both major and trace element analyses. Detection limits for the elements quoted, depending on the matrix (combination of elements present), are typically 0.5 ppm.Loss on Ignition (LOI) is a test used in XRF major element analysis which consists of strongly heating a sample of the material at a specified temperature, allowing volatile substances to escape or oxygen is added, until its mass ceases to change. The L.O.I. is made of contributions from the volatile compounds H2O+, OH-, CO2, F, Cl, S; in parts also K, Na (if heated for too long); or alternatively added compounds O2 (oxidation, e.g. FeO to Fe2O3), later CO2 (CaO to CaCO3). Sample requirements (Milled)Major elements: 5 gTrace elements:10 g

Other analysesOther analysesand services offered to environmentalistsand services offered to environmentalists

Routine determinations of pH, EC (electrical conductivity), redox potential and spectrophotometry are also performed on aquous samples. Other specialized extractions and analysis (acid dissolutions, ammonium-acetate extractions, water extractions, EDTA extractions) of plants, soil, water, effluents and fertilizers can be carried out on request. Detection limits are strongly method dependant. Known certified reference materials are used for pH EC, Redox potential analysis and extractions calibration and routine quality control.

Sample requirements: confirm with Matt Gordon

Environmental Laboratory Analyses user pricelist (prices quoted Environmental Laboratory Analyses user pricelist (prices quoted per sample, VAT excl for industry projects )per sample, VAT excl for industry projects )

Services offered Method/RangeProjects for

academics in SAProjects for external

clients

Standard Soil analysis pH, AAS (Na, K, Ca, Mg), spectrophotometer 80 90

Standard Soil analysis with additional trace elements

pH, AAS (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, P, Zn), spectrophotometer 100 110

Standard Plant analysis AAS (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, P, Zn) 100 110

Light elements analysis Elemental analyser (C, N, H) 70 110

Anion analysis (additional R22.00 for Soil samples) Ion Chromatography 60 83

pH or Ec or Redox potential or spectrophotometry pH or Ec or Redox potential or spectrophotometry 20 25

Titrations for carbonates and bicarbonates wet chemical titration 35 50

Walkley Black titration wet chemical titration 55 100

XRF major element fused bead analysis on rocks or soils

XRF (SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Total Fe2O3, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, CaO, P2O5, Cr2O3, LOI determination) 160 230

XRF trace element pressed pellet analysis on rocks or soils

XRF (Zn, Ni, Cr, V, Ga, Ba, Rb, Sr, Y, Nb, Zr, U, Th, Pb, Ce, La, Nd) 130 200

XRF major element on pressed pellet (Cu Matte) Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, Fe, S 100 120XRF calibration for additional element analysis on rocks or soils (price per additional element)

XRF method determined by element abundance and sample type 250 350

Environmental Laboratory sample preparation pricelist (prices quoted per sample, Environmental Laboratory sample preparation pricelist (prices quoted per sample, VAT excl for industry projects )VAT excl for industry projects )

Services offered Technique used for sample preparationProjects for

academics in SAProjects for external

clientsXRF crushing Jaw crusher 15 30XRF milling Zibb milling 40 50XRF fused bead for ICP analysis Fusion disc (milled powder supplied by client) 50 70Rock/soil acid digestion Digestion in water bath 100 120

Sample preparation pricelist (if samples are not handed in to the laboratory in the form ready for analysis)

Environmental Laboratory Water division

The Environmental laboratory serves the water community by offering the following analyses: Basic Drinking water tests Basic Sewage water tests Basic and Specialised microbiological testing (MPN+MUG

method, Colilert, Pseudomonas spp., Klebiella spp., Surface counts, Microcystis toxicity / toxins)

Eutrophication test package (including Chlorifil a content)

Trace and ultra-trace element analysis (ICP Laboratory, Riana Rossouw, tel 3114, rrossouw@sun.ac.za)

Water analysis prices Microbiological indicators

Projects for academics in SA

Projects for external clients

Aerobic colony count Plate count agar 20 35Heterotrophic plate count bacteria R2A agar 50 80Total coliforms (Not Drinking Water) Petrifilm (Membrane filter) 60 90Faecal coliforms (Not Drinking Water) Petrifilm (Membrane filter) 60 90Escherichia coli (Not Drinking Water) Petrifilm (Membrane filter) 60 90Total coliforms and E.coli (Not Drinking Water) VRB agar + MUG 55 100Pseudomonas spp. Membrane filtration 60 90Klebsiella Membrane filtration 60 90Faecal coliforms and E.coli (Not drinking water) Multiple Tube Fermentation (MPN) 90 120

Faecal coliforms and E.coli (Not drinking water)Multiple Tube Fermentation + MUG supplement (MPN + MUG) 110 140

Total coliforms and E.coli (Drinking water) Colilert 180 220Total coliforms and E.coli (Not Drinking Water) Colilert 220 250

TestPrice / sample in SA rand, excl. VAT

Method/Range

Water analysis prices: Physical and Chemical testsWater analysis prices: Physical and Chemical tests

Projects for academics in SA

Projects for external clients

Ammonium 0.01 - 2.00 mg/l 40 60Ammonium 0.20 - 8.00 mg/l 40 60Biological oxygen demand (BOD) 0.5 - 3000 mg/l 70 90Chemical oxygen demand (COD) 4 - 40 mg/l 60 100Chemical oxygen demand (COD) 10 - 150 mg/l 60 100Chemical oxygen demand (COD) 25 - 1500 mg/l 60 100Chemical oxygen demand (COD) 500 - 10 000 mg/l 60 100Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) 5 - 80 mg/L 100 200Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) 50 - 800 mg/l 120 180Nitrogen 0.5 - 15 mg/l 70 100Nitrogen 10 - 150 mg/l 45 55Phosphate (PO4-) 0.05 - 5.00 mg/l 70 90Total cyanide 0.002 - 0.5 mg/l 80 200Total organic carbon (TOC) 5 - 80 mg/L 100 200Total organic carbon (TOC) 50 - 800 mg/l 120 180Dissolved oxygen (On site service) All 45 70Turbidity All 16 25K AAS 15.00 50.00Na AAS 15.00 50.00Ca AAS 15.00 50.00Mg AAS 15.00 50.00SO42-

ICCl- ICNitrate, Nitrite ICF-, Br- ICConductivity (Ec) Probe with calibration solution 15.00 20.00pH Probe with calibration solution 15.00 20.00Alkalinity Titration 30.00 50.00Total Dissolved Solids Probe with calibration solution 15.00 20.00Suspended Solids Physical method 45.00 70.00Settleable solids Physical method 15.00 23.00

50.00 100.00

Test Method/Range

Price / sample in SA rand, excl. VAT

Water analysis prices: Eutrophication testsWater analysis prices: Eutrophication tests

Test pack for Eutrophication USOther

academics

Other academics Incl. VAT

IndustryIndustry Incl. VAT

Total Organic Carbon (TOC):Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC):Total Nitrogen (N)Total Phosphorus (P)Dissolved OxygenpHConductivityTemperatureAerobic plate countChlorophyll a contentTOTAL

R 872.10 R 477.00 R 540.00 R 615.60 R 765.00