Analytical chemistry
When it comes to reliable, high-quality laboratory services
Cefas is ranked among the UK leaders and much in demand by
government and industry.
Our scientists work with the most up-to-date analytical
equipment and they go far beyond routine analysis and
monitoring. We provide advice and full interpretation of results,
and have a detailed knowledge of national and international
regulatory standards. Our scientists are involved in the design and
delivery of a variety of R&D programmes.
We tackle a wide range of work but the main focus is on the
determination of man-made and natural contaminants in various
environmental settings. This helps us to better understand how to
manage and assess specific sources of chemicals in normal,
decommissioning and emergency situations.
Our team also has extensive experience in the field of emerging contaminants and
endocrine disruptors, and
can provide specialist investigations where the type of
contamination is unknown.
Please contact laboratoryservices@cefas.co.uk
for further information.
Typical determinands
- polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- trace elements (eg, heavy metals)
- organometallic compounds (eg, tributyl tin (TBT))
- pharmaceuticals
- brominated flame retardants (eg, PBDEs, HBCD)
- organochlorine pesticides
- perfluorinated compounds
- alkyl phenols
Typical matrices
- sediments
- dredge material
- biota (eg, fish, shellfish, marine mammals)
- waters (eg, produced water, seawater)
- sewage sludges and effluents
- passive samplers (eg, Polar Organic Chemical Integrative
Samplers, silicone rubbers, Semi-Permeable Membrane
Devises (SPMDs), Chemcatcher® and diffusion gradients in thin
films
Accreditations
- Our analytical chemistry laboratory is UKAS accredited to
ISO/IEC 17025.
- We participate to proficiency testing schemes such as QUASIMEME
and to various laboratory intercalibration exercises (e.g. National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA), NORMAN network).
- We are regularly involved in the characterisation of certified
reference materials with international bodies such as NIST, EC-JRC,
IAEA.
- We operate strict sample traceability and data archival
systems.