Purpose

The Analytical Services Laboratory provides analytical support for the research faculty, staff and graduate students of the North Carolina State University research community.

The laboratory is a university approved service center providing routine and special analyses for a variety of sample matrices including plant tissue, solids, solid wastes, liquid extracts, water and waste water.

Analytical Instrumentation

The Analytical Services Laboratory houses a variety of modern analytical instruments including:

• ICP-Emission Spectrometer
• Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometers
• CHN Elemental Analyzer
• Multi-Channel Auto-Analyzers
• Ion Chromatography Systems
• Scanning Spectrophotometer
• Organic Carbon Analyzer
• Gas Chromatograph
• Automatic Diluters
• Digestion Racks
• Muffle furnaces, steam plates, steam distillation units and other assorted supporting laboratory equipment.

Ion Chromatography System

Analytical Services

The Analytical Service Laboratory has extensive experience in handling a variety of sample matrices.

Elemental Content

Wet digestion or dry combustion techniques are used to determine the elemental content (C, N, macronutrients, micronutrients and trace and heavy metals) of solid samples.

Liquid Extracts

The laboratory will analyze the elemental content of various liquid extracts including soil extracts, plant extracts, industrial processing fluids, etc.

Unknown Sample Matrices

When possible, the laboratory will work closely with research faculty, staff and graduate students in the analysis of unknown sample matrices, including handling and preparation, development of written protocols, and completion of analyses. There is a separate fee for development of protocols for unknown samples.

Water and Waste Water

The laboratory makes available an extensive set of routine analyses for water and waste water samples using a variety of techniques.

FIA AutoAnalyser System

Grinding Facilities

The laboratory maintains a plant tissue grinding facility to assist research faculty, staff and graduate students in the preparation of their samples for analysis. A nominal fee is charged for access to this facility.

Training

Graduate students are especially encouraged to conduct their own analyses after appropriate instruction in the use of the insturmentation and laboratory safety protocols. Students and research staff using laboratory instrumentation are expected to supply their own reagents and standards. A nominal fee is charged for use of the instrumentation.

Sample Submittal

All requested analyses require an analysis request form with account number and signature of Department Head. Anyone requesting an analysis is encouraged to contact the laboratory before submitting a request form to discuss the nature of their request, possible safety issues dealing with their sample material and selection of proper sample storage vials.

Analyses are generally done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Early submittal of sample analytical requests is critical if analyses are required to meet project deadlines or completion of student thesis research.

Sample Digestion Room