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ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
The Organic Chemistry laboratory uses gas and liquid chromatography
to perform precision analysis of organic compounds. Special methods and detection
techniques such as flame ionization, electron capture, nitrogen-phosphorous, and mass
spectrometry are used to identify and quantify petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides /
herbicides, PCBs, and various other organic contaminants at trace concentrations.
These analyses are used to support compliance / regulatory testing laboratory audits,
method development, quality assurance programs, ecosystem research projects and legal
testing.
(Photo of Extraction system for extracting large
volume (20 L) water samples) |
(Photo of Gas Chromatograph with mass selective
detector, used for the analyses of a wide variety of organic compounds) |
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(Photo of Gas Chromatograph with electron capture
detectors; used mainly for the analysis of PCBs and organo-chlorine pesticides, such as
DDT, etc.)
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Accreditation
The chemistry and toxicology laboratories are fully accredited by
the Standards Council of Canada/Canadian Association of Environmental Analytical Laboratories (SCC/CAEAL) for a variety
of toxicology, organic, and inorganic parameters. The laboratories participate in
Performance Evaluation round robins for these parameters twice a year, and undergo a site
evaluation once every two years. The most recent Site Evaluation was in 1997.
In addition, two staff members from the chemistry and toxicology
laboratories have been trained as certified auditors, and provide assistance to SCC/CAEAL
by participating in Site Audits of private laboratories several times each year.
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