The analytical equipment of the Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry allows to determine the concentrations of major, minor and trace elements in abiotic (rocks, soils, stream sediments, surface water and groundwater, particulate matter) and biotic (vegetable and animal organisms) samples, as well as in foods (i.e., honey, grapes and wine).
The laboratory consists of four sections: "Mass Spectrometry", "Optical Spectrophotometry", "X-Ray Fluorescence", "Sample Preparation".
ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS
- Elan 6100 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), Perkin-Elmer-Sciex.
- Optima 2000DV inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), Perkin Elmer.
- MagiX X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRFS), Philips.
- Compact IC 761 ion chromatograph, Metrohm.
The laboratory is also equipped with: Hach DR/4000U UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Perkin-Elmer S2000 fluorometer, Milestone Ethos 900 microwave digester, microanalytical and analytical scales, centrifuge, muffle, fume hoods and ultra-pure water purification unit.
MAIN ANALYTICAL DETERMINATIONS
- physico-chemical and chemical properties of soil: particle size, pH, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon and carbonate content;
- total content of major, minor and trace elements in rocks, soils, stream sediments and particulate matter;
- concentrations of chemical elements in soil fractions (soluble, exchangeable, extractable, reducible, oxidable and residual fractions);
- concentrations of major ions and trace elements in natural waters;
- concentrations of macro and micronutrients and non-essential trace elements in vegetable and animal organisms and in foods.
Lead Scientist
Technicians
- Baroni Fabio
- Di Lella Luigi Antonello