Chemical Tests

To evaluate the chemical content of soils, aggregates, peats, organic and other materials ESG provides a range of tests: 

pH And Sulphate Content

We can specifiy acidity and analyse water soluble extracts such as sulphates to BS1377 as well as testing for content not covered by the standard e.g. nitrate, magnesium etc.  We can also undertake other non BS1377 testing such as SD1 when a project requires us to determine aggressivity to buried concrete. For further information on SD1 go to material testing.

Carbonate Content

ESG uses the rapid titration method to BS1377 standards for analysing the carbonate content of a variety of materials.

Water Soluble Chloride

A test to BS1377 standards to determine the water soluble chloride content of cohesive and non-cohesive soil samples. 

Loss On Ignition (LOI)

The Loss on Ignition Test (LOI)  is designed to measure the amount of moisture or  impurities lost when the sample is ignited under the conditions specified by a project.  LOI is normally used for peat and other organic soils with more than 10% organic material. 

Organic Matter Content  

Dichromate oxidation is used to determine the percent of organic matter in a sample.  

These and others are complemented by a wider scope of chemical, environmental and micro-biological testing provided by our Laboratories and Analytical Services division.