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Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the properties and behavior of inorganic compounds. This field covers all chemical compounds except the myriad organic compounds (compounds containing C-H bonds), which are the subjects of organic chemistry. The distinction between the two disciplines is far from absolute, and there is much overlap, most importantly in the sub-discipline of organometallic chemistry.

The two main categories we offer are:

• Particles
• Metals

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Chemistry is the science concerned with the composition, structure, and properties of matter, as well as the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions.

The wide range of chemical analysis comprises:

• Anions
• Cations
• pH
• Conductivity
• Cyanide
• COD
• BOD

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Determination of emission of constituents from waste, soil and building materials.

What is a leaching test?

A leaching test is a test during which material is put into contact with a leachat and some constituents of the material are extracted.

What is the purpose of a leaching test?

• To determine the release of constituents from materials and with that the potential pollution of the environment with those constituents over a longer time period (up to 100 years).
• To get an indication of the mobility of constituents and possible time of release.
• To get an indication of the neutralisation capacity of the material.

Leaching tests can be performed on monolitic and granular soil, waste- and building materials.

Types of testing:

Column test (Characterisation)

The column test is a dynamic test to determine the leaching (release) from L/S (Liquid/Solid ratio) 0,1 to 10. The total Emission at L/S 10 is the maximum leachable quantity over a period from 60 to 100 years in mg/kgDM.

Diffusion or Tank test (Characterisation)

The Diffusion- or Tank-test is a static test to determine the leaching (release) and stability of monolitic and formgiven (building) materials. The Emission is the maximum leachable quantity over a period from 60 to 100 years in mg/m2.

Compliance (CEN) test EN12547-1 to 4

The compliance test provides information on leaching of granular materials resulting in an Emission in mg/kgDM at L/S 10. (Important: this test has been developed to investigate mainly inorganic constituents. It does not take into account the particular characteristics of non-polar organic constituents nor the consequences of microbiological processes in inorganic degradable wastes).

Maximum availability test (Characterisation)

The maximum availability test gives a general impression off the maximum available quantity of constituents at L/S 100 in mg/kgDM. This test gives the “worst case”. It also gives a figure for the neutralisation capacity.

Legislation that contains leaching

In EU legislation the Landfill Directive (2002) has adapted the EN12457 (Compliance test) and prEN14405 (Column test) as the tests to be used. In almost all cases the EN12457 is used for characterisation.

In the Netherlands all described tests are used for characterisation of mainly building materials and waste.

Asbestos is the generic term for a number of naturally occurring minerals composed of fine fibres. The name is taken from the Greek word “asbestos”, which means indestructible or imperishable. The correct name for this mineral, because asbestos is resistant to acids, alkalis and high temperatures. Asbestos is strong and at the same time flexible, durable and thermically, electrically and sound insulating. In comparison to man made mineral fibres, asbestos is a cheap raw material. Asbestos is mined from rocks, whereby the rocks are comminuted. This releases the asbestos particles.

Between 1940 and 1993, a lot of asbestos was used in construction in the Netherlands. Examples are: asbestos cement, underlays for carpets, sealants, concrete glue, paints and roofing bitumen. Furthermore, it was often used for fire insulation and heat protection. In addition, asbestos was frequently used in appliances, means of transport, structures and systems (toasters, ships, cars, lorries, train carriages, roads and lift systems. Analysis There are 4 microscopic techniques that can be used to analyse a sample for the presence and concentration of asbestos:

• Stereo microscope: the stereo microscope is used for an initial visual screening of the materials suspected of containing asbestos. Using a magnification of 5 – 60 times, the material is examined for fibres that could possibly be asbestos. After identification, an estimate is made of the quantity of asbestos (m/m%)
• Polarisation microscope: A polarisation microscope can be used in many cases to determine whether a suspect fibre is indeed asbestos. For this purpose, optical properties are used, such as refraction index, double refraction, dispersion and behaviour in polarised light. A magnification is used of 100 to 500 times.
• Phase contrast microscope: fibres can be counted with the aid of a phase contrast microscope. The technique is used to count fibres on air sampling filters.
• Electron microscope: a very strong magnification of fibres can be achieved with an electron microscope (to > 25,000 times). In combination with X-ray diffraction, the elements can be determined that comprise the fibre discovered. The minerals sought are Si, Mg, Fe, Ca, Na, Mn and Al, particularly regarding their ratio, which is characteristic of a specific type of asbestos.

SGS works according to the following standards:

• NEN 5707 (soil samples): if non-compacted materials are found in the fraction > 4 mm , it is mandatory to examine the smallest fraction (particles < 500 µm).
• NEN 5896 (samples of materials): reveal and identify asbestos with the aid of stereo and electron microscopy; if there is doubt, electron microscopy might possibly be used for identification.
• NEN 5897 (construction and demolition waste and rubble granulate): if non-compacted materials are found in the fraction > 4 mm, it is mandatory to examine the smallest fraction (particles < 500 µm) under an electron microscope.

SGS has all the aforementioned microscopes at its disposal and is therefore able to conduct all analyses (accredited by the Raad voor Accreditatie!) fully in accordance with the relevant applicable NEN standards.

Are you looking for a wide range of compounds, fast turnaround of results, small sample volumes and above all, a screening method with low detection limits that is suitable for samples coming from complex contaminated sites or sites with little history ? If so, Soil²Control is for you. It enables you to detect over 200 compounds including PCBs, pesticides, heavy metals, total hydrocarbons or VOC’s. Soil2Control is available for ground and water analyses. The exhaustive list of Soil²Control was established to meet the requirements of the European legislation and anticipates the European market needs. The list of compounds and the detection limits are available on request. Reliable and Innovating. Soil²Control is a fast and reliable breakthrough approach for environmental consultants. The analysis is carried out in our SGS in Rotterdam (the Netherlands) and is the result of a close partnership between our laboratories in England, the Netherlands and Sweden.

The Soil²Control advantages:

• Quantitative screening test
• Small amount of sample needed
• Accreditation ISO 17025 for the majority of compounds
• Low detection limits

The results are provided in 5 working days after reception of the samples at the laboratory. If you require the results within 3 days, please contact your commercial contact.

Source: Dutch decree on soil quality

Solid material composed of mineral parts with a maximum grain size of 2 millimetre, organic substance in a proportion that is normally found in the ground and with a structure naturally occurring structure, as well as naturally present shells and gravel with a grain size of 2 up to 63 mm.

Source: Dutch Framework Directive water

All the water that can be found under the soil surface in the saturated zone, that is directly in contact with the soil or underground.

Source: an official definition of sludge does not exist. In the accreditation scheme of the Dutch AS3000, the definition of dredging mud is used, as in the Dutch decree on soil quality

Material, released through surface water or for that water intended space, existing from mineral parts with a maximum grain size of 2 millimetre and organic substance in a proportion that is normally found in the ground and with a structure naturally occurring structure, as well as naturally present shells and gravel with a grain size of 2 up to 63 mm.

Source: NEN 7331

Very viscous liquid or solid material, existing mainly of hydrocarbons or derivatives thereof, that is almost completely soluble in Carbon disulfide.

Source: NEN 7331

Natural or artificial mix of bitumen and mineral matter.

Source: ISO 6107-1

Water that is drained after it has been used or has been formed during a process and that is no longer necessary in that process.

Source: Energy and environment information system VITO, Belgium

Mixture of a number of gases and substances, with a constant composition, created by natural processes, with as main gases oxygen (20.9 %) and nitrogen (78.1 %).

Source: NEN5707

Mineralogical name which describes certain fiber silicates that belongs to the mineralogical group of the serpentin and amphibole minerals, which have crystallised in the so-called asbestiform and as a result, are easily fissile to long, thin, flexible strong fibers when they are grinded or processed.

No matter how far or how close, SGS Analytics guides your samples to their destination.

Polígono Actividades Económicas - Forte da Casa
Lote B Fracçao A, Edificio Foreva
Estrada Nacional 10
PT-2625-121 Póvoa Santa Iria (Portugal)"

SGS Analytics can supply sample jars, bottles and other packaging material to customers. For quality reasons we only deliver standard (preserved) containers. Please find below a file summarising the available containers and their characteristics. Also available in this document are the quantities and type of container needed per analysis. An important aspect to bear in mind when sampling water for metals analysis is that the sample needs to be filtered and acidified on site. In order to make your sampling activities easier, sample jars and bottles are all provided with a unique and water resistant label with a bar code. You can place an order for sampling material simply by contacting our Customer Service department.

Overview Packaging Materials

Soil samples are preserved in our cooling facilities up to 4 weeks after delivery, unless you submit a written request for an extension of preservation, using the designated form which is available to download below. The extension of preservation of soil samples is limited to a period of 6 months; after which the samples are destroyed in an environmentally friendly manner. The cost for destruction of samples and of the extension of preservation can be found in our price list. You can also contact your sales representative for more information.

Formular: Extension of Preservation

From discussions with our clients, it emerges time after time that a modern laboratory has to do more than just deliver reliable analysis results on time. Clients rightly appreciate organisations that think actively along with them. A good partner recognises situations, can empathise with others and has an eye for general company interests. SGS Analytics is very much aware of this and continually strives to bring its services to a higher level. The essential feedback from clients is gathered through active daily contact, through structural relationship management and certainly through independently conducted client satisfaction surveys as well.

The Sales Team maintains all operational contacts with existing clients. You can turn to the Sales Team with questions about:

• Products; which analyses, does the analysis of A make sense in sample B, and so forth;
• Product specifications; which method, what degree of accuracy, detection limit, and so forth;
• Commerce; what does analysis A cost;
• Provision of instructions; how should I deliver samples, how much of a sample is required, can you pick up or take samples and so forth;
• Progress of the research; when can I expect my results, can you fax results and so forth;
• Reports, can you also provide the report in English, in duplicate and so forth;
• General question; delivery times, packing, quantity of samples, and so forth;
• Complaints.

In addition, the organisational set-up, and with that also the services of SGS Analytics, bears a personal signature. The relationship with clients is maintained by regular contact with people. This promotes a service-related involvement and guarantees efficient communication.

SGS Analytics wants to contribute to a durable and liveable society. The corner stone of the working method of SGS Analytics is the intense cooperation with customers, suppliers, government and other external parties. We create added value for our customers by not only providing them with analytical results, but also by offering to share our knowledge of chemical analyses, technological experience, development on the environmental market and relevant legislations. As well as seminars (ALcodays), we also provide personalised courses on location. Contact your Sales representative for more information on our personalised courses and check our events on the home page.

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