Laboratory Instrumentation

The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and equipment to address the analysis matrices of all environmental matrics. The instrumentation laboratories are segregated by discipline [organics analysis, inorganics analysis, sample preparation, and wet chemistry] and are provided with separate recirculating air conditioning systems to reduce cross-contamiation from common laboratory solvents [methylene chloride, acetone, hexane and toluene] used in sample extractions. All supplies, devices and instrumentation purchased by BC Laboratories, Inc. must meet requirements set by ASTM, the laboratory, and the suppliers as to their intended use. Methods for acceptance include:

  1. Review of manufacturing process control data
  2. Source verification
  3. Receipt inspection
  4. Pre-installation and post installation testing
  5. Review of certificates and conformance
  6. Pilot runs

Below are some of the instrumentation and example of its application in the laboratory:

Image descriptionGC

Gas Chromatography

Gas chromatography is a chromatographic technique that can be used to separate volatile organic compounds. A gas chromatograph consists of a flowing mobile phase, an injection port, a separation column containing the stationary phase, and a detector. The organic compounds are separated due to differences in their partitioning behaviour between the mobile gas phase and the stationary phase in the column. Please see complete line of our GC, GC-MS

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Image descriptionGC-MS

Gas Chromatography-mass spectrometry

Gas Chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a method that combines the features of gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify different substances within a test sample. Appications of GC-MS include drug detection, fire investigation, environmental analysis, explosives investigation, and identification of unknown samples. GC-MS can also be used in airport security to detect substances in luggage or on human beings. Additionally, it can identify trace elements in materials that were previously thought to have disintegrated beyond identification. Please see complete line of our GC, GC-MS

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Image descriptionVarian

Varian 4000/GC-MS

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Image descriptionDionex IC25 Ion Chromatograph

Dionex Ion Chromatograph

The Dionex IC25 Ion Chromatograph performs isocratic ion analyses using conductivity detection. The IC25 integrates pump and detector functions in a single instrument. The microprocessor-based, dual-piston, variable-speed, delivery system pumps eluents at precisely controlled flow rates. The IC25 electronics provide sensitive, accurate detection and quantification of ionic analytes in liquid and ion chromatography. This is especially useful for analytes that lack UV chromophores and cannot be determined with adequate sensitivity by UV absorbance. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) provides high speed control of pump flow and pressure.

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Image descriptionPerkin Elmer Elan 6100

IPC/MS

Aqueous sample, digestates, leachates, etc. are nebulized into a spray chamber where an argon stream carries the sample aerosol through a quartz torch and injects it into a radio frequency plasma. Acid digestion is require for groundwater, aqueous samples, industrial wastes, soils, sludges, sediments and for other solid wastes for which total (acid leachable) elements are required.

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Image descriptionPerkin Elmer Optima 4300DV

ICP

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Image descriptionSmart Chem 200

Phenolics

Smartchem detects ammonia, phenolic in drinking, waste or surface water. Alkaline phenol and hypochlorite react with ammonia to form indophenol blue that is proportional to the ammonia concentration. Nitrate is reduced quantitatively to nitrite by cadmium metal in the form of an open tubular cadmium reactor (Cadmium OTCR Coil).

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Image descriptionKonelab

Scope and Application

Konelab detects cyanide and nitrite in surface and saline waters, and domestic and industrial wastes. The cyanide as hydrocyanic acid (HCN) is released by regluxing the sample with strong acid and distillation of the HCN into an absorber-scrubber containing sodium hydroxide solution. The nitrite in the sample is determined by diazotizing with sulfanilamide and coupling with N-(1-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine to form a highly colored azo dye which is measured colorimetrically at 540 nm.

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Image description855 Robotic Tritrosampler

Semi-Volatiles

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Image descriptionTOC

ID No.

TOC system that measures total organic carbon (TOC).

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Image descriptionAutomated Mercury Analyzer

Metals

Automated Mercury Analyzer provides accurate, reliable mercury determinations. Growing environmental concerns, including those for wastewater and drinking water, have expanded the need for mercury analysis. The method includes: SW-7470 and SW-7471

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Please contact us for more information or email us.