Local lab analyses?

[MadCaddy]

I see a lot of recommendations for the different icp test providers. I live in an area (and I doubt it’s uncommon) where we have several environmental labs that do different test for industries in the area. These include inorganic tests for things like trace elements and metals etc. Has anyone ever used one of these non reef tank specialized labs? Any challenges or things to consider? Just trying to see if I have a local option before sending water in the mail!

 

[Peace River]

Others can give you even better answers, but IRL my team regularly sends non-aquarium samples to a local lab for processing. I would come up with a list of the specific tests that you want to be complete and confirm the handling expectation (e.g., cooler transport, temperature, are their specific containers or amounts required, etc.). I expect that the price from the local lab will be notable higher than an ICP test.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

One of the issues relates to optimizing the procedures for a seawater matrix, and testing what we care about and not what, say, an environmental pollution situation might care about.

ICP in seawater is not always just plug and play. Some things are present at vastly higher concentrations than others, and one needs to be sure interference is not causing spurious readings.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I would also assume that even if they did have the means to provide expected results - that the price would be astronomically higher for "one off" type work like this. The lab time has to be significant if they are not setup to crank these out.