Other Contaminants

There are numerous more contaminants to be found in soils and QROS prides itself in being able to provide a rapid analytical method that can realistically be conducted on-site.

Sulphate

Historically sulphur contaminated wastes originated primarily from
the sour gas sweetening industry, though more recently gypsum
based waste products such as plaster board have become more
prevalent.

Careless disposal of sulphur containing wastes may result in
acidification of both soil and groundwater and hence sulphate
consequently is a contaminant of interest to waste acceptance
facilities. Additionally, concrete structures in contact with the
ground are adversely affected by high sulphate levels and hence
the construction industry is also concerned with levels of this
contaminant.

QROS is more frequently being asked to determine water soluble
sulphate on-site. Values are reported in mg/kg of soil fresh weight and a

genuine QROS generated on-site report can be seen above, alongside UKAS accredited data conducted on the same extracts. Standard limits of quantification for water soluble sulphate are generally  requested to be 650 ppm, well below the 1000 ppm limit for inert classification although lower limits can readily be achieved upon customer request.

Chloride

Chloride is another contaminant that QROS frequently tests for on-site. The dominant source of contamination by chloride is rock salt from roadside stores or transfer stations, though there may be other sources such as historical contamination from PVC production facilities.

QROS are able to determine soluble chloride levels rapidly and easily on-site using a titrimetric method capable of determining down to 400 ppm, well below the inert classification of 800 ppm. Lower determination limits are achievable upon customer request.

pH

pH levels are a fundamental influence in contaminant solubility and on-site determination of pH is often requested as a matter of course when determining other contaminant levels especially heavy metals.