Appalachian Laboratory

Analytes

Water Chemistry Analytical Laboratory

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Analytes

We have the capability to analyze a wide range of constituents in both aqueous and solid samples following conventional methodologies.  Solid samples can include soils, sediment, fish tissues, and plant tissues.  For aqueous samples, we employ EPA- and APHA-approved techniques.  For soil and sediment samples, we adhere to methods developed by the Soil Science Society of America.

The analytes that we can measure are provided below and is not a completely exhaustive list.  For additional information, please contact us.

Water Quality

  • Acidity - fixed endpoint potentiometric titration; mg/L CaCO3
  • Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC) - Gran multi-point potentiometric titration; µeq/L
  • Alkalinity - fixed endpoint potentiometric titration; mg/L CaCO3
  • Conductivity - conductivity cell and meter; µS/cm
  • Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) - UV-assisted persulfate; mg/L
  • Hardness - calculation from Mg and Ca concentrations; mg/L CaCO3
  • pH - open or closed system using potentiometry; pH units
  • Turbidity - turbidimeter; NTU
  • Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) - gravimetric; mg/L
  • Total Suspended Solids - gravimetric; mg/L

Nutrients

Nutrients are analyzed on filtered samples with the exception of TN and TP and the particulate fractions.  The difference between TN/TP and TDN/TDP is in how the sample is processed.  TN/TP are analyzed on unfiltered samples and can help to quantify the contribution from particulates in an aqueous sample.  TDN/TDP are analyzed on samples that have been filtered through either a 0.45 µm membrane or Whatman GF/F filter and should reflect the dissolved portion of that nutrient in the sample.  If you are interested in the particulate fraction of N or P in your sample, we recommend directly measuring the N and P particulate fractions, in which a measured volume of sample is collected on a GF/F filter and directly measured for nitrogen and phosphorus.

  • Nitrate (NO3-N) - cadmium reduction colorimetric; mg/L
  • Nitrite (NO2-N) - colorimetric; mg/L
  • Ammonia (Total Ammonia Nitrogen) - saclicylate colorimetric; mg/L
  • Orthophosphate (PO4 as P) - ascorbic acid colorimetric; mg/L
  • Total Nitrogen (TN)/Total Dissolved Nitrogen (TDN) - offline persulfate digestion followed by colorimetric analysis; mg/L
  • Total Phosphorus (TP)/Total Dissolved Phosphorus (TDP) - offline persulfate digestion followed by colorimetric analysis; mg/L

Ions

Ions are measured as a suite by either ion chromatography or flame atomic absoprtion spectrometry.  

  • Acid Anions (Chloride, Bromide, Nitrate-N, Sulfate) - ion chromatography; mg/L
  • Base Cations (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium) - flame atomic absorption spectrometry; mg/L

Metals by ICP-MS

Metals are reported in µg/L and analyzed by ICP-MS using EPA methods 200.8 or 6020 on an Agilent 7900 series system with reaction cell capabilities.  We offer two suites that provide a discount compared to a la carte metals.

We can measure dissolved metals, total metals, or total recoverable metals.  If you are interested in a metal not listed, contact us and we may be able to accommodate you.

  • Priority Metals Suite (Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, V, Zn)
  • Marcellus Shale Suite (Al, Fe, Mn, Ba, Sr)
  • Surface Mining Suite (Al, Fe, Mn)
  • Aluminum (Al)
  • Antimony (Sb)
  • Arsenic (As)
  • Barium (Ba)
  • Beryllium (Be)
  • Boron (B)
  • Cadmium (Cd)
  • Chromium (Cr)
  • Cobalt (Co)
  • Copper (Cu)
  • Iron (Fe)
  • Lead (Pb)
  • Manganese (Mn)
  • Molybdenum (Mb)
  • Nickel (Ni)
  • Selenium (Se)
  • Strontium (Sr)
  • Vanadium (V)
  • Zinc (Zn)

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