Analytical Chemistry Facility – Harpenden Laboratory

Analytical Chemistry Facility – Harpenden Lab

Specialising in the preparation and elemental analysis of soil, crop and environmental samples, our state-of-the-art facilities provide a specialist agricultural analysis service for researchers at Rothamsted Research, collaborators, tenants and external clients.

Our facilities include preparation labs designed for sample weighing, acid digestion and a wide range of extraction procedures. With a range of specialist laboratories equipped with the most advanced instrumentation available, we provide high level performance in terms of speed, accuracy, precision, and reliability. Analysis services include major and trace element determination by : Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission spectroscopy  (ICP-OES) and : Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), total nitrogen/carbon, inorganic carbon, total organic carbon TOC and anion analysis by colourimetric continuous flow.

For more detail on the services we provide, please see our web pages: Analytical chemistry unit | Rothamsted Research

All procedures are primarily aimed at researchers or clients looking for a high-quality service, where precision and accuracy is essential. All samples are weighed not scooped and are performed by a team of highly skilled, experienced analysts.

All procedures adhere to strict Quality Assurance (QA) protocols; the facility follows the Joint Code of Practice (JCoPR) and participates in the WEPAL International Soil Exchange (ISE) and International Plant Exchange (IPE) programmes.