This laboratory serves as the Groundwater Geochemistry and Remediation Research Group’s field-sample processing location. Our investigations include inorganic and organic samples of various scales such as water samples, cores, sediments, sludges, and various rock and mineral samples that may range from individual minerals to a tonne of rock. At this location and the adjacent loading dock, we can receive all samples and process them without introducing contaminants into the analytical laboratories. Additionally, within this laboratory, we have the capability to perform pre-analytical processing such as aqueous field measurements, milling and pressing for x-ray fluorescence/diffraction, or soil water removal from cores along with experimental areas to conduct weathering experiments in cold and ambient temperatures.
Instruments
Carbon sulfur analyzer
- ELTRA CS 2000 with auto sampler
- determination of carbon and sulfur in organic and inorganic samples
- equipped with an induction and a resistance furnace (ELTRA Dual Furnace Technology)
- covers the full range of carbon and sulfur analysis
Meters and probes for measurement of field parameters
- Meters capable of measuring pH, Eh, EC, DO, alkalinity, temperature
Sample preparation facilities
- Drying oven, 0 to 300 ºC
- Precision balance, 0.5 to 6,100 g scale
- -20 ºC chest freezers used for storage and archiving of samples and materials
- Over 900 cubic feet of walk-in cold room space, variable temperature control, used for experimental studies, storage and archiving of environmental samples
- 10,000 psi hydraulic press, used for preparation of solid samples for x-ray fluorescence analysis
- Two fully operational fume hoods, outfitted with sinks and gas valves, used for short-term sample preparation
- Four fully outfitted core presses, equipped with 4-6 tonne hydraulic jacks, used for the compression of core samples for pore water removal
- Riffle-type sample splitter for sample homogenization
- ASTM E-11, 3-inch and 8-inch pan sieves for particle distribution analysis
Experiments
Humidity test cells
- Humidity cell tests are designed to mimic weathering of environmental samples at the laboratory scale.