Soil Testing Methods in Manufacturing

Flame Test

• A qualitative analytical procedure in chemistry used to detect the presence of certain metal ions.
• Metal ions produce characteristic colors when heated in a flame.
• Identifying unknown metal ions in a sample.
• Qualitative analysis of metal cations in solutions or compounds.
• Demonstrating the relationship between atomic structure and light emission.
• Used for educational purposes in chemistry labs.
• Quick and easy to perform.
• Low-cost method.
• Requires minimal equipment.
• Cannot detect all elements.
• Overlapping colors can cause misidentification.
• Less sensitive compared to advanced methods like spectroscopy
• Commonly conducted in school and university labs, research centers, and industries dealing with metals and chemicals.
• Materials needed: Bunsen burner or flame source (lighter/alcohol lamp), cotton swabs/wire loops, solutions of different metal salts (sodium chloride, lithium chloride, calcium chloride, copper chloride).

Soil Analysis

• The process of testing soil samples to determine their properties.
• Helps understand soil nutrients, minerals, pH, and potential contaminants.
• Helps choose right plants for the soil.
• Guides the use of fertilizers to avoid waste.
• Finds out how much water the soil can hold.
• Helps restore damaged/polluted land.
• Materials Needed: Clear jar, soil sample, water, dish soap.
• Collect the soil sample, remove large rocks, roots, and debris.
• Fill the jar about 1/3 full of soil.
• Add water to the rest of the jar, leaving space at the top.
• Optional: add a few drops of dish soap for easier particle separation.
• Shake the jar tightly and vigorously for 1-2 minutes for thorough mixing.
• Place jar on flat surface to allow particles to settle.
• Observe layers, measure their thickness.
• Use a soil texture triangle for classifying the soil based on the percentage of sand, silt, and clay.
• Materials for ph testing: pH meter, soil sample, distilled water, clean container, clean cloth/tissue.
• Collect soil from a depth of 5-10 cm.
• Mix soil with equal parts distilled water
• Calibrate the pH meter (with pH 7 (neutral) and pH 4/10 depending on meter).
• Ensure pH meter probe is fully submerged.
• Record measurements
• Easy/cheap technique for preliminary analysis.

Chromatography

• A set of laboratory techniques for the separation of mixtures.
• Separates, identifies, and purifies components of a mixture.
• Used in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Types include:
• Thin-layer chromatography (TLC): Simple and inexpensive technique; good for preliminary analysis; limited resolution, low sensitivity
• Paper chromatography: Simple type that uses paper as the stationary phase; good for teaching and small scale separations.
• Gas chromatography (GC): Separates volatile compounds; Very sensitive and high resolution; limited to volatile compounds.
• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): Separates non-volatile compounds; High resolution and sensitivity; versatile technique.
• Utilizes by: Educational institutions; research labs, quality control, chemical industry, environmental analysis, forensic science.
  • Costs: TLC: $500-$2000 per pack; Paper chromatography: $100-$500 per pack GC: $500,000-$5,000,000+ HPLC: $500,000-$5,000,000+ (depends on size, quantity and brands)

Water Sampler

• Device that collects water samples from different depths.
• Types include Niskin bottles and grab samplers.
• Niskin bottles are cylindrical bottles lowered into the water to collect samples at various depths and then closed.
• Grab samplers are simple devices for collecting water samples from the surface.
• Used to understand health of waterways.
• Used to identify pollution sources.
• Used to study aquatic ecosystems.

Water Analysis

• The process of testing and evaluating physical, chemical, and biological properties of water.
• The tests determine quality/identify potential risks in water source.
• Used for Drinking water testing, Environmental protection, Regulatory compliance, Industrial applications, Agricultural applications, Wastewater treatment, and Health and public policy.
• Types of water analyses are Chemical water analysis (with methods using titration, spectrophotometry, etc); Physical water analysis (with methods like measuring turbidity, temperature, conductivity); Biological analysis.
• Instrumental methods using technologies like atomic absorption spectroscopy, ion chromatography, gamma spectrometry.
• Advantages: Ensures safety; Improves public health; supports environmental conservation; prevents diseases.
• Disadvantages: High cost, time consuming, waste generation, risk of sampling errors.

Patch Test

• A skin test to investigate and confirm substances that cause allergic contact dermatitis.
• Used to diagnose contact dermatitis including allergic reactions to metals, preservatives, fragrances, rubber, dyes, and plants.
• Helps assess allergy severity and pinpoint the exact cause by identifying allergens.
• Provides treatments for allergies or methods to prevent future skin reactions.
• Uses small aluminum discs coated with allergens; applied to back; 48-hour observation period.

Skin Test

• A test to identify allergic reactions by exposing the skin to allergens.
• Used to diagnose allergies like allergies to airborne, food, and insect allergens; determining the allergens that trigger allergic responses and assess the severity.
• Measures reaction severity.
• Identifies appropriate treatments like allergy shots, medication.
• Skin is prepared with an alcohol swab.
• Small amounts of allergens are applied.
• Skin is pricked to allow allergen entry.
• Marked to track allergens.

Chemical Analysis

• The process of identifying chemicals or determining their components.
• Techniques like titration, gravimetry, spectrometry, or chromatography are frequently used.
• Used for food safety, medicine, forensic work, environmental monitoring, and other applications.
• Used to ensure safety; promoting health; Analyzing biological samples.
• Qualitative analysis focuses on identifying substances.
• Quantitative analysis focuses on quantifying the amounts.
• Methods include titration, gravimetry, spectroscopy, and chromatography.