Practical Techniques for Laboratory Analysis


Book Description

This book presents a detailed overview of day-to-day operations of laboratories. Commercial laboratories that cater to the environmental community are emphasized. The book is divided into three parts: laboratory management, practical solutions to common laboratory problems, and suggestions for increasing laboratory productivity.




Methods in Agricultural Chemical Analysis


Book Description

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on: (i) experimental planning; (ii) sample preparation; (iii) weighing and dispersing; (iv) acid-digestion, ashing and extracting procedures; (v) analysis of soil and compost; (vi) analysis of fertilizers; (vii) analysis of animal feed and plant materials; (viii) analysis of silage; (ix) near infrared spectroscopy; (x) methods in equine nutrition; (xi) methods for organic farmers and growers; and (xii) quality assurance and control.




Practical Instrumental Analysis


Book Description

This practical book in instrumental analytics conveys an overview of important methods of analysis and enables the reader to realistically learn the (principally technology-independent) working techniques the analytical chemist uses to develop methods and conduct validation. What is to be conveyed to the student is the fact that analysts in their capacity as problem-solvers perform services for certain groups of customers, i.e., the solution to the problem should in any case be processed in such a way as to be "fit for purpose". The book presents sixteen experiments in analytical chemistry laboratory courses. They consist of the classical curriculum used at universities and universities of applied sciences with chromatographic procedures, atom spectrometric methods, sensors and special methods (e.g. field flow fractionation, flow injection analysis and N-determination according to Kjeldahl). The carefully chosen combination of theoretical description of the methods of analysis and the detailed instructions given are what characterizes this book. The instructions to the experiments are so detailed that the measurements can, for the most part, be taken without the help of additional literature. The book is complemented with tips for effective literature and database research on the topics of organization and the practical workflow of experiments in analytical laboratory, on the topic of the use of laboratory logs as well as on writing technical reports and grading them (Evaluation Guidelines for Laboratory Experiments). A small introduction to Quality Management, a brief glance at the history of analytical chemistry as well as a detailed appendix on the topic of safety in analytical laboratories and a short introduction to the new system of grading and marking chemicals using the "Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)", round off this book. This book is therefore an indispensable workbook for students, internship assistants and lecturers (in the area of chemistry, biotechnology, food technology and environmental technology) in the basic training program of analytics at universities and universities of applied sciences.




Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the Analytical Chemical Laboratory


Book Description

This book provides practical information about quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) systems, including definition of all tools, understanding of their uses, and an increase in knowledge about the practical application of statistical tools during analytical data treatment. Clearly written and logically organized, this book delineates the concepts of practical QA/QC, taking a generic approach that can be applied to any field of analysis. Using an approach grounded in hands-on experience, the book begins with the theory behind quality control systems and then moves on to discuss examples of tools such as validation parameter measurements, the use of statistical tests, counting the margin of error, and estimating uncertainty. The second edition features newly added chapters covering changes in the regulatory environment, internal quality-control and equivalence method. Over 80 examples are featured in this new edition, including Excel spreadsheets for users to problem solve. Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory: A Practical Approach, Second Edition is a great reference for students, laboratory employees, and academics working in the fields of analytical chemistry, pharmaceuticals, or life sciences. With its comprehensive coverage, this book can be of interest to researchers in the industry and academic, as well as government agencies and legislative bodies. Book jacket.




Environmental Chemical Analysis


Book Description

The study of the environment requires the reliable and accurate measurement of extremely small quantities of chemicals and the ability to determine if they are pollutants or naturally occurring species. Historically, a "dilute and disperse" method of waste disposal has been accepted; yet as we learn the long-term consequences of such an approach, it is clear that more rigorous waste management techniques are necessary to understand the sources and fates of contaminants and to regulate their discharge. This volume presents the details of the basic analytical science involved in making these measurements. It concentrates on the basic principles of sampling and sample preparation, followed by the chemical principles of the major instrumental methods used in chemical analysis, and detailed discussions of the major environmental matrices. This book also provides coverage of topics usually only partially discussed in textbooks, such as quality assurance plans and statistical data handling. Students majoring in environmental sciences need a foundation in measurement techniques used in the field. Environmental Chemical Analysis gives students a thorough grounding in this field and enough information to judge the quality and interpret the information produced in the analytical laboratory.




A Manual of Practical Laboratory and Field Techniques in Palaeobiology


Book Description

The user This manual is designed for the use of geo-scientists with an interest and need in developing palaeobiological materials as a potential source of data. To meet this objective practical procedures have been formatted for use by both professional and semi professional students with an initial understanding of palaeo biological research aims as a primary source of scientific data. I have attempted to provide an explanation and understanding of practical procedures which may be required by students undertaking palaeobiological projects as part of a degree course. The layout of this manual should be particularly beneficial in the instruction and training of geotechnologists and museum preparators. Graduate students and scientists requiring an outline of a preparation procedure will also be able to use the manual as a reference from which to assess the suitability of a procedure. This manual is also intended for use by the "committed amateur". Many of the techniques described in this manual have been devised by non-palaeontologists, and developed from methods used in archaeology, zoology and botany, as well as other areas of geology. A considerable number of the methods can be undertaken by the amateur, and in the case of many of the field procedures, should be used. This will ensure that specimens and samples can be conserved in such a manner as to facilitate any later research, and not invalidate the results of subsequent geochemical analytical techniques which might be employed.




Analytical Techniques in Biosciences


Book Description

Analytical Techniques in Biosciences: From Basics to Applications presents comprehensive and up-to-date information on the various analytical techniques obtainable in bioscience research laboratories across the world. This book contains chapters that discuss the basic bioanalytical protocols and sample preparation guidelines. Commonly encountered analytical techniques, their working principles, and applications were presented. Techniques, considered in this book, include centrifugation techniques, electrophoretic techniques, chromatography, titrimetry, spectrometry, and hyphenated techniques. Subsequent chapters emphasize molecular weight determination and electroanalytical techniques, biosensors, and enzyme assay protocols. Other chapters detail microbial techniques, statistical methods, computational modeling, and immunology and immunochemistry.The book draws from experts from key institutions around the globe, who have simplified the chapters in a way that will be useful to early-stage researchers as well as advanced scientists. It is also carefully structured and integrated sequentially to aid flow, consistency, and continuity. This is a must-have reference for graduate students and researchers in the field of biosciences. - Presents basic analytical protocols and sample-preparation guidelines - Details the various analytical techniques, including centrifugation, spectrometry, chromatography, and titrimetry - Describes advanced techniques such as hyphenated techniques, electroanalytical techniques, and the application of biosensors in biomedical research - Presents biostatistical tools and methods and basic computational models in biosciences




Chemical Analysis in the Laboratory


Book Description

Often considered as a simple task, chemical analysis actually requires a variety of quite complex skills. As a practitioner in an interdisciplinary science, the analytical scientist is relied upon to have the knowledge and skill to help solve problems or to provide relevant information. They will need to think laterally, examine the process from sampling to final result carefully, in addition to selecting the appropriate technique in order to satisfy the objective and obtain a reliable result. The aim of this book is to provide basic training in the whole analytical process for students, demonstrating why analysis is necessary and how to take samples, before they attempt to carry out any analysis in the laboratory. Initially, planning of work, and collection and preparation of the sample are discussed in detail. This is followed by a look at issues of quality control and accreditation and the basic equipment (eg. balances, glassware) and techniques that are required. Throughout, safety issues are addressed, and examples and practical exercises are given. Chemical Analysis in the Laboratory: A Basic Guide will prove invaluable for students of chemistry, plant science, food science, biology, agriculture and soil science, providing them with a guide to the skills that will be required in the Analytical Laboratory. Teachers and lecturers will also find the material of assistance in developing the analytical thinking and skills of their students. New employees in analytical laboratories will welcome it as an indispensable guide.




Chemistry and Analysis of Radionuclides


Book Description

Written by chemists for chemists, this is a comprehensive guide to the important radionuclides as well as techniques for their separation and analysis. It introduces readers to the important laboratory techniques and methodologies in the field, providing practical instructions on how to handle nuclear waste and radioactivity in the environment.




Methods in Practical Laboratory Bacteriology


Book Description

The success of laboratory experiments relies heavily on the technical ability of the bench scientist, with the aid of "tricks-of-the-trade", to generate consistent and reliable data. Regrettably, however, these invaluable "tricks-of-the-trade" are frequently omitted from scientific publications. This paucity of practical information relating to the conduct of laboratory bacteriology experiments creates a gaping void in the pertinent literature. Methods in Practical Laboratory Bacteriology fills this void. It provides detailed technical information that ensures that you achieve consistent and reliable data. The book addresses the aspects of bacterial fractionation and membrane characterization, the analysis of Lipopolysaccharides and the techniques of SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, and ELISA. It also describes the methods used for detecting and quantifying bacterial resistance to antibiotics, and the analysis of bacterial chromosomes by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Methods in Practical Laboratory Bacteriology also covers protocols for extracting the fingerprinting plasmids, as well as the use of non-radio labeled gene probes and ribosomal RNA gene probes.