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Soil, Sludge & Sediment

Soil, sludge, and sediment are commonly analyzed in environmental studies, agriculture, and waste treatment processes. Their composition provides insights into contamination levels, nutrient availability, and the impact of human activity on natural systems.

Velp offers advanced solutions for the analysis of solid and semi-solid environmental samples. Our instruments support laboratories, environmental agencies, and consultants in obtaining reliable and reproducible data across a wide range of parameters.

We support public and private entities in:
  • Elemental analysis for Total Nitrogen (TN), Total Carbon (TC), and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content.
  • Kjeldahl analysis for nitrogen determination in soil fertility studies.
  • Extraction of oil, grease, and contaminants (e.g., PCBs).
  • Soil respiration tests: microbial respiration, biodegradability of plastic material in soil.
  • Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) in sludge.

Application notes

Choose among a comprehensive library of Application Notes / White Papers and learn more on how to optimize the performance of your VELP instruments. These documents offer typical analyses of well-known samples, together with official references and suggestions, to make you an expert!
BMP – Biochemical Methane Potential – determination in Sludge
Biochemical Methane Potential is an anaerobic analysis that consist in small scale reproduction under optimal conditions of the anaerobic digestion of the complex organic molecule in order to have simpler molecules, with the final production of biogas. Find out how to determine the BMP of sludges from the municipal sewage plant.
 
Laboratory Equipment
BOD and Respirometers
CHNS Determination in reference soil samples
Find out how to determine Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Sulfur in soil samples.
Analytical Instruments
Elemental analyzers
CN 802 - TC and TOC determination in Sludge
Sewage sludge generated from wastewater treatment plants are being merited greater attention in light of their potential for improving soil properties and for providing important nutrient and trace element supplements that are essential for plant growth. TOC determination is important because high levels in soils prevent the anaerobic digestion process and limit the subsoils nitrogen enrichment.
Analytical Instruments
Elemental analyzers
CN 802 - Total Carbon and Nitrogen Determination in Soil
The C:N ratio is important because it has a direct impact on residue decomposition and also nitrogen cycling in soils. The performance of the VELP CN 802 was evaluated by participating in the Proficiency Testing program organized by WEPAL (Wageningen Evaluating Programs for Analytical Laboratories).
Analytical Instruments
Elemental analyzers
Determination of Microbial Soil Respiration with Respirometric Sensor System for Soil Analysis
Learn about RESPIROMETRIC Sensor System for Soil Analysis; VELP's laboratory equipment designed to measure the soil respiration in order to:
- determine the soil microbial activity;
- establish the effect of additives (nutrients, pollutants, soil improvers, etc.) on the metabolic performance of microorganisms;
- determine the microbial biomass.
Laboratory Equipment
BOD and Respirometers
Determination of the Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability of Plastic Materials in Soil with Respirometric Sensor System
Learn how to obtain the optimal rate of plastic material biodegradation in test soil by controlling soil moisture, as well as, determining the ultimate biodegradability of the material itself. A non-specific soil is used as the inoculum because the test simulates the processes of biodegradation that occurs in a natural environment.
Laboratory Equipment
BOD and Respirometers
Guidelines for choosing the correct Velp Kjtabs in Kjeldahl Analysis
The digestion phase is the most time-consuming step of the Kjeldahl analysis. Speeding up the process and ensuring a proper outcome is of fundamental importance when it comes to efficiency in the laboratory.
VELP designed seven different types of accurately pre-dosed KjTabs™ tablets to speed up the mineralization process. Along with catalysts, VELP produces antifoaming KjTabs™ to reduce foam formation during the initial phase of the mineralization process.
Analytical Instruments
ConsumablesDigestion Units
N/Protein Determination in Dried Soils - Dumas Combustion Method
Learn how to determine nitrogen in solis. The nitrogen in plants is a part of numerous compounds, including proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, chlorophyll and vitamins essential for all biological functions.
Analytical Instruments
Elemental analyzers
Nitrogen Determination in Soil - Dumas/Combustion method
Nitrogen fertilization is one of the most important factors of agricultural production. The quantity of nitrogen in the soil must be kept under control to prevent an excessive use.
Learn how to obtain excellent performance with NDA Series and how to work in accordance with AOAC and ISO.
Analytical Instruments
Elemental analyzers
SER 158 - Determination of PCBs in Sediment Samples
PCBs are actively monitored in different abiotic matrices (sludge, soil, sediment) and biotic matrices with restrictive limits on the dioxin-like congeners. Download the Application note to discover SER 158 performance in PCBs in sediment samples.
Analytical Instruments
Solvent Extraction