Lab analyses

To pursue our research goals, i.e., obtaining an improved understanding of the biogeochemical cycling and environmental distribution of trace elements (TE), it is essential to have a robust, accurate, and sensitive detection and quantification of TE as well as an identification of their chemical forms (called species) in different environmental compartments (terrestrial, aquatic, atmospheric) and their components (e.g., groundwater, soil, soil solution, seawater, biota, aerosol, and rainwater). To do so, we are specialized in using atomic and molecular mass spectrometry alone or coupled to liquid and/or gas chromatography. Find out more about our mass spectrometry equipment and analytical workflows: Trace element analysis by Mass Spectrometry .

At ETHZ and Eawag we have also access to various other equipment for:

• sample preparation, e.g., sieves, freeze-drier, grinder, agitation tables, clean bench, analytical balances, microwave digesters.
• Determination of ancillary and essential parameters, e.g., pH, redox, conductivity, and O2 probes, total carbon and total organic carbon analyzers, and ion chromatography (major ion quantification)
  
• lab incubation of algae cultures, with temperature and light control. Follow this link to get detailed information: Information following soon.