Analysis and Testing

The reported detection limits (RDLs) is above the regulatory limit. Can you reduce the RDL?
If the reported value for a parameter is less than its Reported Detection Limit (RDL) and this value is greater than a regulatory limit, it may be possible t...
Wed, 30 Jan, 2019 at 10:45 AM
What is the difference between regular silica gel clean up and "ex-situ" silica gel clean up?
Silica gel clean up is a required step in the process of preparing and analyzing Petroleum Hydrocarbons, particularly those in the C10 to C50 carbon chain r...
Fri, 25 Jan, 2019 at 2:19 PM
Can you test for Tetraethyl lead?
Yes.  The Burnaby location has been accredited by CALA for TetraEthyl Lead analysis in both soils and waters. BBY SOP 00060R2 Water Soil ...
Thu, 6 Feb, 2020 at 1:15 PM
What effect does decanting a sample have?
Based on reference methods and other literature studies, decanting of water samples for organic analyses is not an acceptable approach.  This is because...
Tue, 12 Feb, 2019 at 1:19 PM
Why are metals filtered through a 0.45 micron filter?
A filter size of 0.45 microns effectively removes particulate matter from a sample of water that may otherwise impact analytical results, yet allowing for a...
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 at 1:33 PM
Has silica gel clean up been included in my hydrocarbon analysis?
There is typically a silica gel clean up step included in the extraction of petroleum hydrocarbon fractions F2-F4. (Carbon chain range of C10-C50), when the...
Fri, 15 Feb, 2019 at 9:24 AM
Toxic equivalency factor (TEF) and Total Toxic Equivalency (TEQ)
TEF expresses the toxicity of dioxins, furans and PCBs in terms of the most toxic form of dioxin, 2,3,7,8-TCDD.  2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) ...
Wed, 20 Feb, 2019 at 8:47 AM
What is Isotope Dilution?
Isotope Dilution is a method for the quantitative determination of a substance in a mixture by adding a known quantity of an identical but radioactively lab...
Wed, 20 Feb, 2019 at 9:04 AM
What are the chemical reactions in EPA Method 8 for H2SO4, SO3 and SO2 determination.
The SO3 reacts with the water in the 80% IPA solution to form sulfuric acid.                            SO3 (g) + H2O (l) → H2SO4 (aq)   The sulfuric a...
Wed, 20 Feb, 2019 at 10:20 AM
What is F4G (gravimetric) and when is it required?
F4 gravimetric (F4G) analysis is recommended (and often required under regulation) every time the chromatogram of a sample does not reach baseline at C50, f...
Wed, 20 Mar, 2019 at 1:37 PM