Soil Analysis
The analysis of the chemical and physical properties of soils and sediments is instrumental to our research in glaciated and non-glaciated catchments as well as in terrestrial environments from drylands to tropical peatlands. Our cutting-edge analytical equipment offers the following capabilities:
- CNS and OH Elemental Analysis (Elementar vario PYRO cube)
- Particle size distribution (MS3000 Mastersizer)
- Organic matter content (Loss on Ignition)
- Various customised extraction protocols for:
- Sequential Phosphorus extraction
- Sequential Sulphur extraction
- Silica extraction
- Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorous by persulfate oxidation
- Aqua regia extractable elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Zn, Zr)
- Water-soluble anions (Chloride (Cl-), Fluoride (F-), Nitrate (NO3-), Nitrite (NO2-), Phosphate (PO43-), Sulphate (SO43-))
- Exchangeable ammonium (NH4+)
Extracts are then analysed according to specific protocols using the analytical equipment described under the Water Analysis section.