Instrumentation

The following instrumentation is available in our laboratory:

• Autoanalysers for nutrients, DOC, DP, DN
• Elementanalyser for POC, POP
• HPLC chain for pigment analysis and sample preparation
• Salinometer for salinity measurements
• GC-MS and GC system for organic compounds
• Various auxiliary equipment for sample preparation, ultra-pure water, analytical gasses

Examples of instruments are displayed below:

	Autoanalyser chain for the determination of nutrients in seawater. The determination is based on a chemical reaction that results in a specific coloration for the different nutrients. The intensity of the color is representative for the amount of nutrient in the sample
	The HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatograph is used for the determination of plant pigments such as chlorophyll a. Pigments in the phytoplankton extracts are physically seperated and analysed on the basis of their optical properties
	The GC-MS (gas chromatograph - mass spectrometer) is used for the determination of organic contaminants such as PAHs, PCBs and pesticides. The instrument allows both a quantitative (determination of concentrations) and qualitative analysis (identification of unknowns, fingerprinting).

 What can be measured?

 Quality control