www.chemtest.com
Container & $;vঞm]�Guide
Our Guide
The following information guide provides details on a minimal sample weights/volumes required for particular analyses plus appropriate sample containers, holding times and testing methodology.
After sampling, samples should be kept cool and away from direct sunlight using cool boxes provided to minimize degradation and volatilization. Sample containers should be adequately packed with protective packaging materials to prevent damage during transit.
To prevent sample deviation disclaimers on your test report, please ensure you request and use the correct containers, supply a sampling date and forward FRPSOHWHG�&2&��ZKLFK�LV�UHFHLYHG�LQ�VXIĆFLHQW�WLPH�WKDW�WKH�WHVW�KROGLQJ�WLPHV�are not exceeded (in particular BOD and Sulphide in waters which are 48hrs)
Tubs, jars and bottles should be returned with zero headspace where practically possible.
Most samples require a moisture content, so an additional 150g is required for this. This is particularly important if only jars are submitted.
For Asbestos analysis, a separate 500g tub should be provided. This will ensure a more accurate quantitative test result.
We predominantly use our own drivers and a third-party courier (where require) to collect samples and deliver media.
For health and safety reasons we recommend that cool boxes should not weigh in excess of 16kg when packaged.
Popular Suites
Testing/Analysis
Method Minimum Volume of Material
Container Type
Holding Time
Generic Soil Suite
Various 1.5kg 1x Tub, 1x Jar, 1x Vial
14 Days
Generic Soil Suite &
Asbestos
Various 2Kg 2x Tub, 1x Jar, 1x Vial
14 Days
Generic Soil Suite & WAC
Various 2kg 2x Tub, 1x Jar, 1x Vial
14 Days
Single Stage WAC Analysis
Various 1kg 1x Tub, 1x Vial 14 Days
2 Stage WAC Analysis
Various 1.5kg 2x Tub, 1x Vial 14 Days
Asbestos Various 500g 1x Tub N/A
BS:3882 Topsoil Suite
Various 2Kg 2 x Large Plastic Tubs
14 Days
RILTA Suite Various 2Kg 2 x Tubs, 1 x Jar, 1 x Vial
14 Days
BRE Suite Various 500g Plastic Tub 14 Days
LOI 440/HMRC Various 1kg 2 x Plastic Tubs 14 Days
Core & Aggregates
Various <3Kg Maximum
Bag 14 Days
Soil Suites
Testing/Analysis
Method Minimum Volume of Material
Container Type
Holding Time
Drinking Water Suite
Various 2Ltr's 1 x Glass Bottle, 1 x
Plastic Bottle
14 Days
BRE Suite (water)
Various 1Ltr Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Source Water Suite
Various 2040ml 1 x Glass Bottle, 1 x Plastic Bottle,
1 x Vial
14 Days
Water Suites
Inorganic Water
Testing/Analysis
Method Minimum Volume of Material
Container Type
Holding Time
Ammoniacal Nitrogen
Colorimetry 60ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Test Kit 250ml Plastic Bottle 48 Hours
Chemical Oxygen Demand
Sealed Tube Digestion/
Colorimetry
50ml Plastic Bottle 72Hrs
Chloride Colorimetry 50ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Chromium (Hexavalent)
Colorimetry 100ml Plastic Bottle 72Hrs
Chromium (Hexavalent)
Low Level
Ion 100ml Plastic Bottle 72Hrs
Conductivity EC Meter 50ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Cyanide (Complex)
Colorimetry 100ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Cyanide (Free) Colorimetry 100ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Cyanide (Total) Colorimetry 100ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Dissolved Oxygen
DO Meter 100ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Fats,Oil and Grease
Gravimetric 500ml Glass Bottle 14 Days
Ferrous Iron Colorimetry 100ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Fluoride Colorimetry 50ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Hardness ICP-MS/Calculation
100ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Inorganic Water
Testing/Analysis
Method Minimum Volume of Material
Container Type
Holding Time
Metals ICP-MS 100ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Nitrate Colorimetry 50ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Nitrite Colorimetry 50ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
pH pH Meter 50ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Phosphorus Colorimetry 50ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Phosphate Colorimetry 50ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Redox Potential
Redox Meter 50ml Glass Bottle 14 Days
Silica Colorimetry 50ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Sulphate Colorimetry 50ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
6XOĆGH Colorimetry 50ml Plastic Bottle 48 Hours
Suspended Solids
Gravimetric 150ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Thiocyanate Colorimetry 100ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Total Alkalinity Colorimetry 100ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Total Organic Carbon
Catalytic Oxidation/IR
100ml Glass Bottle 14 Days
Organic Water
Testing/Analysis
Method Minimum Volume of Material
Container Type
Holding Time
Alcohols Headspace GC-MS
40ml Glass Vial 14 Days
Acid Herbicides
GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 Days
Glycols GC-MS 50ml Glass Bottle 14 Days
Total TPH GC-FID C6-C40
1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 Days
TPH Banded GC-FID 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 Days
TPH-CWG GCxGC-FID 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 Days
Dissolved Methane
Headsapce GC-FID
80ml 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
Pesticides GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 Days
Phenols
Phenols (Total) HPLC ECD 100ml Glass Bottle 7 days
Phenols Speciated
HPLC ECD 100ml Glass Bottle 7 days
Phenols GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 7 days
Total Alkalinity Colorimetry 100ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Total Organic Carbon
Catalytic Oxidation/IR
100ml Glass Bottle 14 Days
Hardness ICP-MS/Calculation
100ml Plastic Bottle 14 Days
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PAH (Total EPA16)
GC-FID 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 days
PAH (EPA16) GC-FID 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 days
PAH (EPA16) Low Level
GC-FID 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 days
PAH (EPA16) GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 days
PAH (EPA16) Low Level
GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 days
Organic Water
Testing/Analysis
Method Minimum Volume of Material
Container Type
Holding Time
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PAH (Total EPA16)
GC-FID 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 days
PAH (EPA16) GC-FID 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 days
PAH (EPA16) Low Level
GC-FID 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 days
PAH (EPA16) GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 days
PAH (EPA16) Low Level
GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 days
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB's)
PCB ICES 7 Congeners
GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 Days
PCB WHO 12 Congeners
GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 Days
PCB Low Level GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 Days
Semi Volatile Organic Compounds
SVOC (Target List)
GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 Days
SVOC (Target List) Low Level
GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 Days
SVOC (Target List + TIC's)
GC-MS 1Ltr Glass Bottle 14 Days
Volatile Organic Compounds
VOC (Target List)
Headspace GC-MS
80ml 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
VOC (Target List) Low Level
Headspace GC-MS
80ml 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
VOC (Target List + TIC's)
Headspace GC-MS
80ml 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
BTEX & MTBE Headspace GC-MS
80ml 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
Inorganic Soil
Testing/Analysis
Method Minimum Volume of Material
Container Type
Holding Time
Asbestos
ID of ACM and Fibres In soil
SOP 2192 PLM 200g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Gravimetric 4XDQWLĆFDWLRQ�
of ACM
SOP 2192 200g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Fibre 4XDQWLĆFDWLRQ�
in Soils
SOP2192 PCOM
200g Plastic Tub 28 Days
ID of ACM (Bulk ID)
SOP 2185 PLM 50p coin size Plastic Tub 28 Days
Ammoniacal Nitrogen
Colorimetry 50g Plastic Tub or Glass Jar
28 Days
Boron (water Soluble)
ICP-OES 30g Plastic Tub or Glass Jar
28 Days
&DORULĆF�9DOXH Calorimeter 50g Plastic Tub or Glass Jar
28 Days
Cation Exchange Capacity
Cation Analysis & Calculation
200g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Chloride Colorimetry 2:1 Aqueous
Extract
30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Chromium (hexavalant)
Screen ICP-OES
30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Conductivity Probe 500ml Plastic Tub or Glass Jar
28 Days
Cyanide Colorimetry 50g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Cyanide Total Colorimetry 50g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Cyanide Complex
Colorimetry 50g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Inorganic Soil
Testing/Analysis
Method Minimum Volume of Material
Container Type
Holding Time
Fraction of Organic
Carbon
Combustion/IR/Calculation
50g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Fluoride Colorimetry 2:1 Aqueous
Extract
50g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Loss of Ignition 550 c
Gravimetric 1 kg minimum Plastic Tub 28 Days
Loss of Ignition HMRC Fines
Gravimetric 1.5 kg minimum
Plastic Tub 28 Days
Magnesium ICP-OES 30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Moisture Content
Gravemetric 250g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Metals ICP-MS or ICP-OES
50g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Nitrate Colorimetry 2:1 Aqueous
Extract
30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Nitrogen Total Combustion/IR 50g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Organic Matter
Content
Combustion/IR/Calculation
50g Glass Jar 28 Days
Phosphorous Available
Colorimetry 30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Inorganic Soil
Testing/Analysis
Method Minimum Volume of Material
Container Type
Holding Time
pH pH Meter 30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
PBET Metals BGS R&D TR P5-062/TR02/Barge
30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Solvent Extractable Matter
Gravimetric 100ml Glass Jar 28 Days
Sulphate Total ICP-OES Aqua Regia Extract
30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Sulphate (acid soluble)
ICP-OES HCL Extract
30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Sulphate (water soluble)
ICP-OES 2:1 Aqueous Extract
30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Sulphide Distillation/Colorimetry
30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Sulphur (total) Combustion/IR 30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Sulphur (elemental)
HPLC 30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Thiocyanate Colorimetry 30g Plastic Tub 14 Days
Total Organic Carbon
Combustion/IR 30g Plastic Tub 28 Days
Organic Soil
Testing/Analysis
Method Minimum Volume of Material
Container Type
Holding Time
Alcohols Headspace GC-MS
60g 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
Glycols GC-MS 60g Glass Jar 14 Days
Total TPH GC-FID C6-C40
60g Glass Jar 14 Days
TPH Banded GC-FID 60g Glass Jar 14 Days
TPH-CWG GCxGC-FID 350g Glass Jar 14 Days
Dissolved Methane
Headsapce GC-FID
60g 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
Pesticides GC-MS 60g 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
Phenols
Phenols (Total) HPLC ECD 60g Glass Jar 14 Days
Phenols Speciated
HPLC ECD 60g Glass Jar 14 Days
Phenols GC-MS 60g Glass Jar 14 Days
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PAH (Total EPA16)
GC-FID 500g Glass Jar 14 days
PAH (EPA16) GC-FID 500g Glass Jar 14 days
PAH (EPA16) Low Level
GC-FID 500g Glass Jar 14 days
PAH (EPA16) GC-MS 500g Glass Jar 14 days
PAH (EPA16) Low Level
GC-MS 500g Glass Jar 14 days
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB's)
PCB ICES 7 Congeners
GC-MS 60g Glass Jar 28 Days
PCB WHO 12 Congeners
GC-MS 60g Glass Jar 28 Days
Organic Soil
Testing/Analysis
Method Minimum Volume of Material
Container Type
Holding Time
Semi Volatile Organic Compounds
SVOC (Target List)
GC-MS 60g Glass Jar 14 Days
SVOC (Target List) Low Level
GC-MS 60g Glass Jar 14 Days
SVOC (Target List + TIC's)
GC-MS 60g Glass Jar 14 Days
Volatile Organic Compounds
VOC (Target List)
Headspace GC-MS
60g 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
VOC (Target List) Low Level
Headspace GC-MS
60g 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
VOC (Target List + TIC's)
Headspace GC-MS
60g 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
BTEX & MTBE Headspace GC-MS
60g 2 x Glass Vial 14 Days
Water Sample Containers
Organics including; TPH, PAH, SVOC’s, PCB’s Pesticides.
1L Coloured Winchester
Water Sample Containers
Inorganics and Waste Water Analytes including; Metals, Cyanides, Anions, Cations, TSS, BOD, COD, pH, EC
1L Plastic Bottle
Water Sample Containers
Volatile organic compounds including BTEX and MTBE
40ml Vial with PTFE lined septa
Soil Sample Containers
Inorganics including; Metals, Cyanide, Sulphastes, LOI, TOC, Nutrients. Also suitable for PAH
500g Plastic Tub
Soil Sample Containers
Volatile organic compounds including BTEX and MTBE
60ml Amber Jar
Soil Sample Containers
Organics including; TPH, PAH, SVOC’s, PCB’s Pesticides.
250ml Amber Jar
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