Laboratories: Analytical Facilities

School of Geography, University of Leeds

Ion chromatography

For further information please contact Rachel Gasior.

Instrumentation

Dionex DX500 Ion chromatograph

Purpose

This chromatograph is currently set up for measuring a range of anions (normally at low ppm levels) in natural waters and aqueous soil extracts. It has also been used for the measurement of PAHs using USA EPA method 550, but interfering background compounds have caused problems with this determination.

Spectrometry

For further information please contact Rachel Gasior.

Instrumentation

Hitachi Z-5300 AAS

Perkin Elmer 5300DV ICP-OES

Purpose

The Perkin Elmer 5300DV ICP-OES is a simultaneous analyser with the capability to view in axial or radial mode. It provides fairly rapid multi-elemental analysis of a range of materials from low ppb to percent levels.

The Hitachi Z-5300 is a atomic absorption spectrometer with polarised Zeeman background correction. It is inexpensive to run and requires a minimum of setting-up but the analysis is time- consuming. This analyser provides single element determination of a variety of elements with good ranging and accuracy.

Laser Diffraction Particle size analysis

For further information please contact David Ashley.

Instrumentation

Beckman Coulter LS230 Particle Size Analyser

Purpose

Laser diffraction particle size analysis is a technique for characterising the particle size distribution of a sample. This analyser used this technique to measure the grain size of particles between 0.4 mm and 2 mm in diameter in aqueous suspension. It has an additional detector system (PIDS) to measure particles from 0.04mm to 0.4 mm in diameter.

Continuous Flow Auto-Analyser

For further information please contact David Ashley.

Instrumentation

Skalar SAN++ Auto-analyser

Purpose

This colorimetric auto-analyser allows the determination of Nitrite, Total Oxidised Nitrogen, Ammonia and Phosphate to sub-ppm levels in natural waters and a range of extracts.

Elemental Thermal Oxidation Analysis

For further information please contact David Ashley.

Instrumentation

Analytical Sciences Thermalox CN analyser for liquids

EurovectorTurboflash CNS analyser for solids

Purpose

Analytical Sciences Thermalox is suitable for the determination of carbon (total, total inorganic and non-purgeable organic carbon) and total nitrogen in aqueous samples to ppm levels. The EurovectorTurboflash is suitable for determination of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur in solid samples such as soil and plant material. Analytical range is typically from 100 ppm to percent levels.

Sample Preparation

For further information please contact Rachel Gasior.


Retsch SM100 Cutting Mill
Retsch RM100 Mortar Grinder

Workshop

For further information please contact David Ashley.

Equipment
Purpose

The workshop is a multi-user facility with a variety of basic equipment used for simple repairs and fabrication.


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