| Most of the work carried out at the GSD chemical laboratory falls within the field of analytical geochemistry. Advanced analytical techniques such as spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, isotope analysis and chromatography alongside classical methods of wet chemistry are used for the determination of chemical elements and compounds of interest in various media (water, soil, rock, construction materials). The analytical measurements carried out fall in the following categories:
Water Quality:
• Physicochemical parameters (pH, Electrical conductivity)
• Major anions/cations
• Major and trace elements
• Stable isotopes (oxygen 18Ο:16O (δ18Ο) and hydrogen D:Η (δ2H))
Soil:
• Physicochemical parameters (pH, Electrical conductivity)
• Trace and major elements
• Water soluble ions
• Total carbon, organic matter
• Moisture content
Construction materials (aggregates and sands):
• Loss on ignition
• Major elements
• Chloride content
• Total sulphur and acid soluble sulphates
• Alkali silica reactivity |