Center for Ecological Research and Education
Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209-8007
Richard Inouye, Director - (208) 282-2933, inourich@isu.edu

CERE

Faculty

Analytical Laboratory

Plant Sciences Building

Research Sites

Barton

O'Neal

Fairview

Portneuf   River

 

CERE Analytical Laboratory

This facility provides analytical capabilities for measuring nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon in soils and plant tissues. Equipment ofr this facility was purchased with funds from the National Science Foundation and Idaho State University. Major analytical equipment includes two rapid flow analyzers capable of measuring ammonia, nitrate, and phosphorus in liquid extracts, water purification equipment, two elemental analyzers capable of measuring total carbon and nitrogen in solid samples, computers, and microbalances.

BradSmall.jpg (138607 bytes)

Brad Thomas manages the CERE Analytical Laboratory.

 

Analytical Capabilities

Ion Analysis

Ion Method Range (mg/l) Detection Limit (mg/l)
Potassium Flame Emission Spectrometry 2.0 - 200 0.34
O-Phosphate Colorimetric 0.01 - 1.0 0.001
Ammonium Colorimetric 0.01 - 20 0.004
Nitrate Colorimetric 0.001 - 10 0.001
Nitrite Colorimetric 0.001 - 10 0.001
Chloride Colorimetric 1.0 - 200 0.31
Bromide Colorimetric 0.001 - 10 0.001
Sulphate Colorimetric 2.0 - 200 1.61

Elemental Analysis

Element Method Range (%) Detection Limit (ppm)
Carbon Combustion Gas Chromatography 0.01 - 100 10
Nitrogen Combustion Gas Chromatography 0.01 - 100 10

Other

pH, Conductivity, lignin