To request the service, click on the following link:

• Request for nutrient analysis in water samples by automated system with continuous segmented flow – AMS/Alliance FUTURA-2 equipment.
• Request for nutrient analysis of water, using ion chromatography.

External users must register at the following link: CAU INMAR Registration

For more information, please contact the research staff: bibiana.debelius@uca.es

About the service

The purpose of this service is the optimal analysis of micronutrients concentrations (ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, silicates and phosphates) in water samples. Depending on the expected concentrations and conductivity, we will recommend the use of ion chromatography or continuous segmented flow- AMS/Alliance FUTURA-2.

Analysis by automated segmented continuous flow system – AMS/Alliance FUTURA-2.

For coastal and oceanic samples, with low concentrations of nutrients, the use of the FUTURA is recommended. The AMS/Alliance FUTURA-2 is an automated segmented flow analyzer developed for the quantification of dissolved nutrients in seawater (nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, phosphate and silicate). This equipment consists of an autosampler (Autosampler XYZ) connected to a diluter and then to the different nutrient consoles. The results are processed by FUTURA software to obtain the concentration values of each nutrient.

Analysis of ions in water samples by ion chromatography.

In the case of low salinity samples with high nutrient concentrations (ppm), the ion analysis service by ion chromatography is recommended. All samples need to be filtered (0.45 µm) and with conductivities ranging from 800-1000 µS/cm.

This service, based on ion chromatography, allows the analysis of: cations (lithium, sodium, ammonium, potassium, calcium and magnesium) in addition to major inorganic anions in water (fluoride, chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, phosphate and sulfate).

Ion chromatography is based on the use of ion exchange resins. When an ionic sample passes through these columns, the existing ions are separated due to the different retention times they undergo when interacting with the fixed phase of the analytical columns. Once separated, the sample passes through a detector (conductimetric, amperometric, UV…) where the signal obtained is recorded with respect to the retention time. The retention time of different species determines the ionic concentrations in the sample.

 Typical applications of ion chromatography are of great interest from an environmental point of view, including analysis of: drinking water, waste water, water with high nutrient concentrations…

This equipment has been financed by: