Organic carbon
NIOSH, IMPROVE, or EUSAAR-style protocols
Material Analysis · Composition & Elemental
Organic / Elemental Carbon Analysis (OC/EC)
Characterise organic carbon, elemental carbon, and total carbon and method-defined fractions using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£90 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 6 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Sunset Laboratory Model 5L OC-EC Analyzer
- Typical outputs
- OC, EC, and total carbonThermogram and laser correction traceBlank and replicate summaryProcessed chromatogram or spectrum
Why this service
What Organic / Elemental Carbon Analysis (OC/EC) can help you understand
Organic / Elemental Carbon Analysis (OC/EC) is selected when the project needs defensible information on organic carbon, elemental carbon, or total carbon and method-defined fractions. A programmed…
Elemental carbon
filter or bulk adaptation
Total carbon and method-defined fractions
fraction-resolved reporting
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the tool
The method, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to decide.
NIOSH, IMPROVE, or EUSAAR-style protocols
organic carbon
- Best used when
- organic carbon
- Typical result
- OC, EC, and total carbon
- Preparation note
- Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review.
Filter or bulk adaptation
elemental carbon
- Best used when
- elemental carbon
- Typical result
- Thermogram and laser correction trace
- Preparation note
- Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement.
Fraction-resolved reporting
total carbon and method-defined fractions
- Best used when
- total carbon and method-defined fractions
- Typical result
- Blank and replicate summary
- Preparation note
- Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
OC, EC, and total carbon reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Thermogram and laser correction trace supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Blank and replicate summary provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Processed chromatogram or spectrum included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Sample requirements
What to provide before work begins
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the decision, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Powder / particles | Provide a dry, homogeneous and clearly labelled sample in a sealed container. | Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review. |
| Liquid / solution | Provide a sealed, compatible container labelled with composition, concentration and solvent. | Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement. |
Objective: state the decision, comparison or acceptance criterion the work must support.
Handling and access: declare hazards, instability, confidentiality, file constraints or special logistics before dispatch or transfer.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope, timing or interpretation.
What should I send for Organic / Elemental Carbon Analysis (OC/EC)?
Provide powder / particles, liquid / solution as applicable. Exact quantity, dimensions and preparation are confirmed during technical review.
Which analysis option should I choose?
Choose the mode around the decision you need to make. For organic carbon, start with NIOSH, IMPROVE, or EUSAAR-style protocols; add filter or bulk adaptation when comparison or quantification is required.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 6 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
OC/EC split is operationally defined and differs between protocols. Overloading, carbonate, charring, and filter artefacts affect the result.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope Organic / Elemental Carbon Analysis (OC/EC) correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Required comparison, acceptance criterion or reference
- Preferred output and reporting depth
Organic / Elemental Carbon Analysis (OC/EC)from£90
Typical turnaround: 6 working days
Configure & Book