Acid Sulfate Soils and Their Impact: Understanding Sulfur Compounds in Soils

Acid sulfate soils (ASS) contain iron sulfides like pyrite, which are harmless when undisturbed. However, when these soils are disrupted by activities such as excavation or drainage, they rapidly transform and produce sulfuric acid when exposed to air. These disturbed ASS are known as actual acid sulfate soils (AASS), and they can lead to a range of negative consequences.

Industries like mining and construction are particularly at risk from the corrosive nature of acid sulfate soils, which can weaken steel and concrete structures. In natural environments, these soils can harm plants, animals, and essential water sources.

MPL is accredited by NATA and offers comprehensive testing services:

• SPOCAS suite (Suspension Peroxide Oxidation Combined Acidity and Sulfur)
• SCR suite (Chromium Reducible Sulfur)
• pH_F / pH_OX and pH_INC

MPL Laboratories is also accredited by NATA for the following:

• SPOCAS suite
• SCR suite

Our accredited facilities are well-equipped to analyse sulfuric compounds, providing valuable insights to the scientific community.

Uncovering Hidden Dangers: Understanding Asbestos in Soil

Beneath the surface lies a pressing concern: the presence of asbestos-containing materials, such as debris from materials like 'fibro sheeting,' embedded in the soil. This issue not only raises health concerns but also brings potential financial burdens for both residential and commercial properties. Precise analysis provides reassurance for communities dealing with suspicions of asbestos presence.

Within the soil, signs of asbestos can reveal stories of demolition debris, mishandling of waste, or even unauthorized dumping at various construction sites. Asbestos-containing materials might have also ended up in topsoil or landfills, remaining buried or forgotten before proper disposal practices were established.

In the complex world of construction, excavation, civil engineering, and large-scale earthwork projects, accurately identifying asbestos in the soil is crucial.

Approaching Asbestos Soil Analysis

At the heart of identifying asbestos lies the laboratory analysis of soil samples suspected to contain this harmful substance. This scientific method ensures accurate identification of asbestos. Collecting soil samples should be done by experienced professionals, especially when asbestos is involved. The National Environment Protection Council provides a foundation for sampling efforts, guided by the comprehensive National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure (NEPM) Volume 2 (B1).

Asbestos testing is a vital aspect of environmental contamination assessment, with MPL taking a leading role. Our skilled team has a proven track record in identifying:

• Chrysotile Asbestos
• Amosite Asbestos
• Crocidolite Asbestos

Our NATA Accredited Asbestos Testing facilities are supported by a friendly customer service team, ready to address your testing needs promptly. Contact us today to take the first step toward a safer future.

Understanding PFAS: Navigating Emerging Contaminants.

PFAS, including substances like perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have emerged as relatively recent contaminants. Once widely used in industries and firefighting foams (AFFF), PFAS now pose a widespread contamination concern, being detected in water bodies far from their sources.

Even landfill sites reveal potential PFAS presence due to historical disposal of products containing these compounds, raising concerns about their leaching.

Efforts to phase out PFAS use are vital due to their ability to accumulate in the environment and potential health effects. At MPL, we offer PFAS testing as part of our services.

PFAS Testing at MPL

At MPL, we're equipped to provide PFAS testing as a core part of our comprehensive services. Our approach involves using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS), a cutting-edge technology that rapidly and accurately identifies PFAS in different types of samples, such as water, soil, blood/serum, and biota. We're also expanding our capabilities to include air testing, in line with evolving international regulations for sampling and analysis.

In addition to our advanced facilities, our skilled team brings over a decade of expertise in studying PFAS. We offer Total Oxidisable Precursor Assay (TOPA), a crucial tool for detecting precursor PFAS compounds. These compounds can potentially transform into long-lasting PFAS varieties like PFOS, PFHxS, and PFOA

Exploring Non-Metallic Inorganic Analysis

The world of soil is a vital source of insights into fertility and potential imbalances. Among our wide-ranging services, MPL is ready to analyse non-metallic inorganic elements. Our capabilities cover various compounds, including:

• Agricultural Assessments: Determining Phosphorus variants, Sulphur, Cations (K, Na, Ca, Mg), and trace metals using Rayment and Lyons methodology.
• Fluoride Detection
• Anion Identification: Fluoride, Chloride, and Sulphate levels.
• CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) Evaluation
• pH / EC (Electrical Conductivity) Analysis
• Nutrient Profiling: Measuring NO_X, TKN, and PO₄ levels.
• ESP (Exchangeable Sodium Percentage) Calculation
• TOC (Total Organic Carbon) Testing

We also specialize in testing various forms of Cyanide, which are historically linked to gas works and modern mining.

For non-metallic inorganic inquiries, our team is here to assist you. Connect with us today to discuss your analytical requirements

Exploring Metals in Soil: A Practical Approach.

Industrial activities and waste disposal can harm the quality of soils, potentially causing harmful heavy metals to be present. This is a serious concern that drives our scientific research.

In relation to environmental soil contamination, various common metals are involved:

• Arsenic
• Cadmium
• Chromium
• Copper
• Mercury
• Lead
• Nickel
• Zinc

To get accurate results, we use advanced technology to find heavy metal elements in soil samples. In our NATA Accredited MPL Laboratories, we use Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP - OES) for soil analysis. This method is suitable for most assessment of soil samples.

For even more sensitivity, we use the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique. This helps us analyse trace metals in soils at very low levels, like parts per billion, including elements such as Uranium and Thorium.

If you need help testing for metals in soils, please feel free to contact our friendly team.

Understanding Organics: A Scientist's Perspective:

In our environment, a rise in potentially harmful organic compounds in soil has become a concern. These compounds come from various industrial processes and are also found in transportation and electricity generation fuels.

As these organic compounds spread into the environment, it's a matter of concern for regulatory bodies, industries, and monitoring entities to address this challenge.

Exploring Soil Contaminants

Our soil testing methods cover:

• Total Recoverable Hydrocarbons (TRH) and BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene)
• Aliphatic/aromatic speciation
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Pesticides like Organo-Chlorine and Organo-Phosphate varieties
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) assessment
• Herbicides, including Phenoxy Acids and Triazines
• Phenols
• Carbamates
• Pyrethroids
• Dioxins
• Screening for Semi Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs)
• Exploring Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Using GC-MS scans for detailed analysis

Feel free to reach out to us to discuss your soil testing needs

Understanding Soil's Physical Properties:

Examining soil’s essential traits reveals its quality. The interaction of soil texture and structure influences the movement of air and water, crucial for plant growth. However, farming and industrial activities can disrupt this balance.

Exploring Soil Science:

Our capable MPL team can help you understand your soil's physical traits. Our testing covers:

• Resistivity
• Electrical Conductivity (EC)
• Soil Moisture
• pH Levels
• Texture Analysis
• Particle-size Distribution (PSD)
• Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content

Tailored Testing:

Soil's physical traits are diverse, requiring a comprehensive approach. MPL offers various soil testing services, including moisture content and total organic carbon. Our expertise allows us to provide a customized quote for your project.

Reach out to us for assistance today

Understanding Waste Characteristics:

In the world of waste, a story unfolds, often shaped by industrial remains from polluted areas, journeying to landfills as their final stop. These discarded parts need careful analysis to determine disposal costs and methods. Over time, there's a risk of toxins seeping into groundwater, raising concerns about lasting environmental effects. Evaluating waste before moving it to a landfill can prevent these harmful chemicals from entering the environment.

In this waste mix, various components come together - from debris of demolished materials to residues of hazardous waste from homes and industries. This mix has the potential for toxins to infiltrate soil, groundwater, and even air, leading to widespread environmental risks.

Exploring Waste Through Science:

MPL is more than capable to assist the scientific study of waste. We offer a range of testing methods that reveal different aspects of how contaminants move:

• Leachate Analysis (TCLP, ASLP, MEP, SPLP)
• Leachate Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF) methods (we're proud to be the first commercial lab in Australia accredited by NATA for LEAF testing)
• Foreign Material Testing - useful for determining whether certain materials can be reused or classified, following the NSW EPA waste guidelines.

We have the expertise to create a custom quote for your project. If you need help, reach out to us today.