What's New

Using EPA method 1631, we’re analyzing aqueous samples for TOTAL inorganic mercury down to 0.5 part per trillion levels by oxidation, purge & trap, and Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry. In order to speciate and look for ORGANIC or methyl mercury down to 0.05 par per trillion levels, we have installed a new technology Tekran distillation and instrument unit calibrated to analyze aqueous samples by method EPA 1630 using a distillation, ethylating, purge & trap, gas chromatography and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

Mercury occurs in deposits throughout the world mostly as cinnabar (mercuric sulfide), which is the source of the red pigment vermilion, and is mostly obtained by reduction from cinnabar. Cinnabar is highly toxic by ingestion or inhalation of the dust. Mercury poisoning can also result from exposure to water soluble forms of mercury (such as mercuric chloride or methyl mercury), inhalation of mercury vapor, or eating seafood contaminated with mercury.

The United States Clean Air Act, passed in 1990, put mercury on the list of toxic pollutants that need to be controlled to the greatest possible extent. Thus, industries that released high concentrations of mercury into the environment agreed to install maximum achievable control technologies (MACT). In March 2005, an EPA rule  added power plants to the list of sources that should be controlled and a national cap and trade rule was issued.  

The California State Water Quality Control Board who regulates industries and NPDES permits throughout the state require continuous monitoring of mercury levels.  The EPA 1631 method has the lowest reporting limits technologically offered to monitor these operations.

Alpha Analytical is now certified to analyze water matrices for Perchlorate by EPA method 314.0.

Perchlorates are the salts of perchloric acid (HCIO₄). They occur both naturally and through manufacturing. They are commonly found in rocket fuel and explosives, often those used by the military. Ammonium perchlorate is a major ingredient in rocket fuel. They have also been used in airbags, fireworks, and fertilizers abroad.

Perchlorates have been found in both drinking water and groundwater in 35 states in the U.S. according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In California, perchlorates were found in the water supply above the state’s 2 microgram per liter (µg/L) (parts per billion, weight over volume (ppb w/v)) allowable level. In 2004, the chemical was also found in cow’s milk in the average level of 1.3 µg/L, which may have entered the cows through feeding on crops that had exposure to water containing perchlorates. These crops, which have been contaminated through soil and fertilizers containing perchlorates, included ones to be eaten by humans.

Tha California State Dept of Public Health has now regulated public water systems to periodically check for Perchlorate in their source(s).

Alpha Analytical is now identifying and enumerating water matrices for algae speciation using various forms of microscopy.

The identification and enumeration of algae in lakes and other freshwater ecosystems provides a simple, reliable, and cost-effective measure of water quality.  As the major primary producers in aquatic ecosystems, algae play an important role in energy flow and nutrient cycling.  Algal blooms may indicate excessive nutrient loading, pollution, or other environmental problems.  Determination of the numbers and types of algae present in a water body is useful in environmental monitoring programs and impairment assessments, because these characteristics respond quickly to changes in water chemistry.  Because of their short life cycle, changes in water quality are often reflected by changes in the algal community within a few days or weeks.

In addition to their value in biological monitoring programs, some algae can become problematic. Excessive algal growth can cause a number of water-quality problems, including: bad taste and odor, de-oxygenation of water, and fish kills. Some blooms are toxic to wildlife and humans. Clogged pipes, filters, or screens in water and wastewater treatment plants are other problems caused by excessive algal growth, resulting in increased costs to water utilities and municipalities. Correct identification of target species is critical when determining a management strategy.

Alpha Analytical is analyizing wastewater for production chemicals for the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

EPA 1666 is the method of choice to capture levels of Ethyl acetate Isobutylaldehyde, Isopropyl acetate, Isopropyl ether, Methyl formate, n-Amyl acetate, n-Butyl acetate, N-Heptane, n-Hexane, Tetrahydrofuran, Xylenes, Methylene Chloride, Acetone, Diethylamine, Triethylamine and Methyl cellosolve in wastewater discharge projects. Please inquire for more specifics.