Microplastics with TED-GC-MS, wastewater and environmental/natural water samples

Determination of microplastics in water samples with higher particulate loads using microspectroscopic methods. Generally, µFTIR is the preferred method for these matrices. The results will specify different types of polymers by size, for example, 10–50 µm, 50–100 µm, 100–500 µm, and >500 µm, as shown in this example report. This analysis is suitable for water samples with relatively high particulate loads, such as typical wastewater and environmental/natural waters. The analysis can be adapted to special water matrices (process water, industrial water, samples with very high particle loads or fibers, etc.), but this may incur extra costs.

The measurement determines ten common plastic types (PE, PP, PS, ABS, PVC, PET, PC, PMMA, PA6, PA66) with pyrolysis-GC/MS. In the method, microplastics are separated from the sample and reported in µg/l of individual polymer types and as a sum of all quantified polymers. To see what this looks like in practice, see this example report. An additional analysis of rubber particles (BR, NR, SBR) can be performed at an extra cost. This product is suitable for typical turbid water samples and wastewater samples only. We also offer microplastics analysis of clean water and sediment, soil, or sludge.

Determination of microplastic content in clean water samples with vibrational spectroscopy methods. The analytical report will list different types of polymers detected and their distribution by size. There are two options for how the analysis can be conducted: Accredited analysis with µFTIR spectroscopy according to ISO/DIS 16094-2 (capable of detecting particles from 10 µm to 5,000 µm), Accredited in-house µRaman spectroscopy method (capable of detecting particles from 1 μm to 5,000 µm). Please let us know the preferred approach when requesting an offer. The method applies to water with low particle load, such as clean drinking water or ultrapure water, as it does not include digestion pre-treatment. Please note that natural or environmental water samples are usually not suitable for this method due to the possible presence of higher amounts of solid particles. See microplastic analysis of natural water or wastewater instead, or just request a quote from our experts.

Measurement to determine ten common plastic types (PE, PP, PS, ABS, PVC, PET, PC, PMMA, PA6, PA66) with pyrolysis-GC/MS. In the method, microplastics are separated from the sample and reported in µg/l of individual polymer types and as a sum of all particles. An illustrative example is provided in our example report for microplastic analysis of water using pyrolysis–GC/MS. Rubber particles (BR, NR, SBR) can be added to the analysis at an extra cost. This product is suitable only for clean water samples. If you need testing for other sample types, see microplastics in typical wastewater samples and soil, sediment, or sludge.

This metal screening analysis includes the semi-quantitative determination of 70 elements. The method can be used, for example, to determine the background concentrations of metals in environmental samples or to study the elemental distribution of unknown samples. Screening is also often performed to assess which metals should be analyzed by a quantitative method. The measurement is performed using a high-resolution ICP-MS technique (ICP-SFMS), which can identify very low elemental concentrations. A semi-quantitative determination of the following elements is included: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. However, please note that some elements may not be determinable due to matrix interference. During this semi-quantitative analysis, the instrument is calibrated for about 30 elements. The rest of the analytes are quantified using sensitivity factors for calibrated elements with similar mass and first ionization potential, considering isotope abundances. Quantitative analysis is also available at an additional price. During this analysis, all elements are calibrated (excluding halogens and Os). Please ask for an offer for this service.

Determination of aerobic biodegradability in seawater according to OECD 306, applicable to chemicals and organic materials dissolved or dispersed in collected seawater. Two test formats are available: shake flask and closed bottle. Seawater is sampled from the field and characterized for temperature, salinity, and optionally DOC and other parameters before use; it may be filtered, settled, or aged prior to incubation. Incubations are carried out in closed glass containers under aerobic conditions at approximately 15–20°C in the dark or under diffuse light for up to 60 days. The shake-flask format tracks ultimate degradation by repeated DOC measurements over time, quantified by persulfate/UV, persulfate with elevated temperature, or high-temperature combustion. , The closed-bottle format monitors dissolved oxygen consumption at defined intervals (e.g. days 0, 5, 15, and 28). Ancillary options include heterotrophic plate counts, ATP or other microbial-activity assays, and specific chemical analysis of the test substance.. Results are presented as time-course degradation curves. Shake-flask outputs report DOC-based curves with lag phase, slope, and t50, with percentage degradation typically reported at 60 days. Closed-bottle outputs report oxygen-uptake curves with lag phase and t50, with percentage degradation reported at 28 days or test conclusion. Data are compiled on standardized sheets with validity checks. The method is referenced in several regulatory persistence and biodegradability assessment frameworks. Under REACH, OECD 306 is recognised by ECHA as a ready biodegradability test method alongside OECD 301 and 310, and data generated under the guideline can be submitted in REACH registration dossiers to fulfil information requirements on environmental fate and behaviour. OECD 306 is also listed as an accepted ready-biodegradability method under the REACH microplastics restriction (Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, Appendix 15). Additionally, the EU Ecolabel for lubricants lists OECD 306 as a recommended biodegradability test method.

EN 15051-2 standard specifies the measurement of dustiness of powders and bulk materials according to the rotating drum method. It is a widely accepted procedure designed to simulate the handling processes that can generate airborne dust. The material dust, generated by the rotation of the drum, is separated into three different fractions. Inhalable, thoracic, and respirable dustiness mass fractions (in mg/kg and in %, if required) are reported. The inhalable fraction of dustiness is the fraction of particles with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 100 µm., The thoracic fraction of dustiness is the fraction of particles with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 µm., The respirable fraction of dustiness is the fraction of particles with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 4.25 µm.. Along with the fractions of the airborne particles, the dustiness potential (very low, low, moderate, or high), the density, and the moisture content of the sample are also reported. See this example report for more details.

Determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of an organic sample. CHNS analysis (”LECO analysis”) is performed using a flash combustion method, where the sample is combusted under 25 kPa of O2 at an elevated temperature (1,000 °C), followed by gas chromatography separation and detection using a thermal conductivity detector. Oxygen is analyzed by reduction on granulated carbon at 1480 °C, utilizing high-temperature thermal decomposition and conversion of oxygen into carbon monoxide before gas chromatography separation and detection with a thermal conductivity detector. The sample can be either solid or liquid, but water in the sample affects the results. In the case of aqueous samples, it is possible to dry the sample before analysis. The displayed price includes the full CHNOS package with two parallel measurements and applies to conventional organic samples. The results are reported as wt-% of the initial sample. The addition of ash, drying, and dry loss measurements will increase the minimum required sample material to 300 mg. The analysis gives the total carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of the material, but it does not identify any chemical structures. The measurement can be combined with other methods, such as GC-MS, 1H, and 13C NMR, to perform substance structure identification. Analysis can be split into the following packages: CHN, O, and S.

Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS) analysis to determine the identity of an unknown polymer sample. During the measurement, the sample is instantaneously heated in an inert atmosphere or vacuum. This causes the sample to decompose into smaller molecular fragments, which are then analyzed with GC-MS. Different types of polymers can be identified by their unique decomposition products. This includes, but is not limited to: PE, PP, PS, ABS, PMMA, PET, PC, PVC, polyamides, natural & synthetic rubbers, and more. The price includes the basic preparation and qualitative analysis of the sample. More extensive sample preparation and quantitative analyses are subject to additional costs.

We offer several accredited methods for determining the total fluorine (TF) content of combustible materials: EN 14582, based on combustion ion chromatography (CIC). The method is recommended by the Nordic Council of Ministers as a quick and powerful total fluorine screening technique., EN 15408 using oxygen bomb combustion treatment followed by ion chromatography (IC). This method can be applied to plastic sheets and granules, and it is also possible to determine the total content of S, Cl, and Br., ASTM D7359-23, based on oxidative pyrohydrolytic combustion, followed by CIC.. The most suitable method is typically selected based on the sample matrix. However, please let us know if you wish a specific standard to be followed. Sample preparation (air drying and milling of the sample to particles <1 mm) is included in the displayed price. This analysis is commonly used to evaluate packaging materials' compliance with the PFAS restriction outlined in the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). If TF content does not exceed 50 mg/kg (ppm), the material can be considered compliant without further testing.