Total organic carbon quantification in soils and sediments: Performance test of a modified sample preparation method

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Geochemistry

Background:

• Total organic carbon (TOC) is crucial for characterizing soils and sediments.
• Accurate TOC measurement in suspended particulate samples is essential for environmental monitoring and geological studies.
• Existing methods may have limitations in terms of efficiency, cost, or applicability to diverse sample matrices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a modified sample preparation method for direct total organic carbon (TOC) measurement in suspended particulate samples.
• To assess the accuracy and precision of the method across various certified reference materials (CRMs).
• To highlight the method's cost-efficiency and environmental benefits.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of five certified reference materials (CRMs) with varying TOC concentrations.
• Utilized a Shimadzu TOC-L CPH analyzer for direct TOC measurement.
• Employed a multi-point calibration curve and statistical validation measures.

Main Results:

• The modified method demonstrated accurate and precise TOC measurements for marine and soil CRMs.
• A lower accuracy was observed for a CRM containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
• The method proved reliable for direct TOC determination in suspended particulate samples.

Conclusions:

• The modified preparation method is applicable and reliable for direct TOC determination in suspended particulate samples.
• This cost-efficient and environmentally friendly method offers an alternative for TOC analysis.
• The method's relevance extends beyond geosciences to users of various TOC analyzers.