ALS specializes in the testing analysis of sediment, including from marine and freshwater.
Much of the analytical work at ALS is in support of dredging, remedial investigation, feasibility studies and risk assessment. In many cases, this requires extremely low-level detection limits. These types of samples present unique challenges to the laboratory due to analytical interferences caused by the matrices. In addition to supporting marine and freshwater aquatic sample analyses throughout the United States, our laboratories also possess the necessary permits to accept samples from foreign countries.
ALS has developed and implemented cleanup procedures and method modifications to specifically deal with these types of matrices. We have also developed the expertise necessary to perform complex ultra-trace analyses. These low-level analyses of sediment, tissue and water use advanced specialized instrumentation. This instrumentation includes Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP/MS), Purge and Trap Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry, High-Resolution Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (HRGC/MS), and High-Resolution Gas Chromatography/High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS).
Methods and accreditations will vary depending on ALS location.
