Sediments analysis
With over 20 years of experience in marine sediment analysis, we produce high-quality and accurate data for our clients, helping them to gather key information on the condition of their marine environment.
RPS supports environmental pre and post operational surveys, dredging operations and planning surveys. Our expertise in sediment analysis conducted in state-of-the-art laboratory settings, plays an important role in ensuring that the quality of our survey results can be relied upon for regulatory requirements.
Our team have over 20 years of experience in analysing trace levels of pollutants in the context of the marine benthic environment. We employ the right techniques required to guarantee the production of reliable and fully quality assured data. We take part in the following marine quality assurance schemes and operate to Oslo and Paris Commission (OSPAR) and the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) guidelines:
- Quality Assurance of Information for Marine Environmental Monitoring in Europe performance testing scheme (QUASIMEME)
- NE Atlantic Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control Scheme (NMBAQC)
- NORMAN network
Pre and post operational survey
We can provided detailed trace analysis for marine sediments collected from the sea bed. This can support baseline surveys or Environmental Impact Assessments used for planning and installing new structures, as well as providing analysis of sediments and discharge waters during asset life and finally at the decommissioning and post operation survey stage.
Dredging
To ensure environmental compliance and licensing requirements RPS offer UKAS-accredited methods of analysis for sediments. We hold Marine Monitoring Organisation (MMO) validated methods for sediment analysis. Our methods and data outputs also meet the requirements of the Marine Scotland Act and Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales specifications.
PFAS Sediment Analysis
Analysis of PFAS in Sediment has become a key focus area in environmental monitoring and understanding PFAS concentrations is critical for assessing risks associated with land application, disposal and recycling practices.
RPS have developed a targeted method to detect 54 PFAS compounds in one analysis and can add an additional 2 accredited fluorotelomer phosphate diesters 8:2 and 10:2 diPAP on request, to help our clients meet regulatory requirements and to make informed decisions regarding their environmental management strategies.
PFAS sampling differs from routine sampling due to the potential of cross contamination. Our team of samplers brings expertise and a proven track record of providing nationwide sampling for monitoring programs like CIP4, the biosolids assurance scheme and the UKWIR biosolids research program. We have a wealth of experience in sampling across trade effluents, road manholes, sewage treatment works both for incoming crude in process samples and final effluent and sludge cake as well as sampling surface water, groundwater and sediments.
Our PFAS 54 + 2 testing suite
We can provide ISO/IEC17025 accredited PFAS analysis in sediments, as well as in many other matrices. With our UKAS accreditation, we are equipped to delve deeper into understanding and monitoring these compounds, ensuring the safety of our environment and communities.
We are also able to provide more indicative analysis to identify the total PFAS loading of a sample either by doing TOP Assay or using our state-of-the-art Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC) instrument to perform Total Organic Fluorine, Total Fluorine, Inorganic Fluorine, Extractable Fluorine and Adsorbable Fluorine. Our laboratory is equipped with 14 LC-MS/MS systems and one high resolution accurate mass Orbitrap system giving us unparalleled capacity which is further enhanced by our latest addition of automated PFAS sample extraction systems.
Our laboratories take part in a number of Performance testing Schemes including the WEPAL – QUASIMEME Scheme, AQS Baden-Wurttemberg , the Australian National Measurement Institute and AGLAE for PFAS in sediments biosolids and water. We also work in line with the Clean Seas Environmental Monitoring Programme “Green Book” requirements and the NORMAN network for reference laboratories.
PFAS 54 +2 testing suite
The UK drinking water inspectorate as of the 31st December 2021 requires that all drinking water is monitored for a list of 48 PFAS compounds in order to gather further information on their levels and prevalence in UK supplies. RPS has developed a targeted method to detect 54 PFAS compounds in one run, and can add an additional 2 accredited fluorotelomer phosphate diesters 8:2 and 10:2 diPAP on request, to assist water companies and private supplies to meet this new regulatory requirement and have been granted UKAS accreditation for 48 of these PFAS at sub-nanogram levels in ground water, surface water, drinking water (non-regulatory), untreated sewage and treated sewage effluent.
List of 54 PFAS included in the standard analysis suite
|
Abbreviation |
Description |
CAS Reg No |
|
PFBA |
perfluoro-n-butanoic acid |
375-22-4 |
|
PFPeA |
perfluoro-n-pentanoic acid |
2706-90-3 |
|
PFHxA |
perfluoro-n-hexanoic acid |
307-24-4 |
|
PFHpA |
perfluoro-n-heptanoic acid |
375-85-9 |
|
PFOA |
perfluoro-n-octanoic acid |
335-67-1 |
|
PFNA |
perfluoro-n-nonanoic acid |
375-95-1 |
|
PFDA |
perfluoro-n-decanoic acid |
335-76-2 |
|
PFUnDA |
perfluoro-n-undecanoic acid |
2058-94-8 |
|
PFDoDA |
perfluoro-n-dodecanoic acid |
307-55-1 |
|
PFTrDA |
perfluoro-n-tridecanoic acid |
72629-94-8 |
|
PFTeDA |
perfluoro-n-tetradecanoic acid |
376-06-7 |
|
PFHxDA |
perfluoro-n-hexadecanoic acid |
67905-19-5 |
|
PFODA |
perfluoro-n-octadecanoic acid |
16517-11-6 |
|
PFBS |
perfluoro-1-butanesulfonic acid |
375-73-5 |
|
PFPeS |
perfluoro-1-pentanesulfonic acid |
2706-91-4 |
|
PFHxS |
perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonic acid |
355-46-4 |
|
PFHpS |
perfluoro-1-heptanesulfonic acid |
375-92-8 |
|
L-PFOS |
perfluoro-1-octanesulfonic acid |
1763-23-1 |
|
br-PFOS |
perfluoro-1-octanesulfonic acid |
|
|
PFOS Sum L and br |
perfluoro-1-octanesulfonic acid |
|
|
PFNS |
perfluoro-1-nonanesulfonic acid |
68259-12-1 |
|
PFDS |
perfluoro-1-decanesulfonic acid |
335-77-3 |
|
PFUnDS |
perfluoro-1-undecanesulfonic acid |
749786-16-1 |
|
PFDoDS |
perfluoro-1-dodecanesulfonic acid |
79780-39-5 |
|
PFTrDS |
perfluoro-1-tridecanesulfonic acid |
791563-89-8 |
|
PFECHS |
perfluoro-4-ethylcyclohexanesulfonic acid |
646-83-3 |
|
HFPO-DA/GenX |
2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoic acid |
13252-13-6 |
|
HFPO-TA |
perfluoro-2,5-dimethyl-3,6-dioxanonanoic acid |
13252-14-7 |
|
DONA |
dodecafluoro-3H-4,8-dioxanonanoic acid |
919005-14-4 |
|
PFMPA |
perfluoro-4-oxapentanoic acid |
377-73-1 |
|
NFDHA |
perfluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid |
151772-58-6 |
|
PFBA |
perfluoro-5-oxahexanoic acid |
863090-89-5 |
|
3:3 FTCA |
3-perfluoropropyl propanoic acid |
356-02-5 |
|
5:3 FTCA |
3-perfluoropentyl propanoic acid |
914637-49-3 |
|
7:3 FTCA |
3-perfluoroheptyl propanoic acid |
812-70-4 |
|
PFEESA |
perfluoro-(2-ethoxyethane)-sulfonic acid |
113507-82-7 |
|
F-53B Major |
9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid |
756426-58-1 |
|
F-53B Minor |
11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid |
763051-92-9 |
|
4:2 FTSA |
1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid |
757124-72-4 |
|
6:2 FTSA |
1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid |
27619-97-2 |
|
8:2 FTSA |
1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid |
39108-34-4 |
|
10:2 FTSA |
1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecane sulfonic acid |
120226-60-0 |
|
FBSA |
perfluoro-1-butanesulfonamide |
30334-69-1 |
|
FHxSA |
perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonamide |
41997-13-1 |
|
PFOSA |
perfluoro-1-octanesulfonamide |
754-91-6 |
|
N-AP-FHxSA |
N-(3-dimethylaminopropan-1-yl)perfluoro1hexanesulfonamide |
50598-28-2 |
|
N-MeFOSAA |
N-methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamidoacetic acid |
2355-31-9 |
|
N-EtFOSAA |
N-ethylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamidoacetic acid |
2991-50-6 |
|
N-MeFOSA |
N-methylperfluoro-1-octansulfonamide |
31506-32-8 |
|
N-EtFOSA |
N-ethylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamide |
4151-50-2 |
|
MeFOSE |
2-(N-methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamido)-ethanol |
24448-09-7 |
|
EtFOSE |
2-(N-ethylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamido)-ethanol |
1691-99-2 |
|
6:2 FTAB |
carboxyMeDiMe-3-[[(tridecaFlOct)sulfl]amino]prop amm hydrox |
34455-29-3 |
|
6:2 diPAP |
bis[2-(perfluorohexyl)ethyl] phosphate |
57677-95-9 |
|
8:2 diPAP |
Bis[2-(perfluorooctyle)ethyl] phosphate |
678-41-1 |
|
10:2 diPAP |
Bis[2-(perfluorodecyl)ethyl] phosphate |
1895-26-7 |
Extended Fluorotelomer Phosphate Diesters suite (needs to be requested separately
Our sediment analysis
- Alkylphenols, Alkylphenol ethoxylates
- Bioavailable heavy metals by 50% Nitric Acid digest
- Biocides
- BTEX, VOCs, petrol range organics
- Carbonate content
- Dry solids and moisture content at 105°C
- Heavy metals by Partial Aqua Regia digest
- Heavy metals by Total HF digest
- ICP-MS and CVAFS analysis to meet the requirements for the characterisation of dredge material for disposal at sea
- Loss on ignition
- Oil in Water (GC-FID or FTIR)
- Organochlorine Pesticides by GC-MS
- Organotin compounds (TBT, DBT, MBT)
- PAHs EPA16 and alkylated 2-6 ring by GC-MS
- Particle Size Analysis (PSA) via wet and dry sieving and laser diffraction (NMBAQC method)
- PCBs including EN25, WHO12, IC7 and MMO 25 congeners
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
- Sediment density
- SVOCs by GC-MS
- Total Hydrocarbon Content (by UVF or GC-FID with UCM and n-alkane speciation)
- Total Organic Carbon by combustion and Infra-Red detection
