Examples
Sampling is made up of a series of procedures. First, samples are taken on site before being brought back to the laboratory and prepared for analysis. The scientists then produce a report, the results of which are interpreted according to the relevant legal requirements. The Environmental Analysis Group has experience of examining contaminated military sites and investigating the consequences of chemical incidents. It participates in national and international projects in this field.
Collecting samples – a critical step
The sampling process is one of the main sources of error in the field of environmental testing. If a mistake is made at the point of collection, it cannot be corrected by complex analyses and state-of-the-art measuring technology. This is why so much importance is placed on the actual collection of samples.
- Collection of soil profiles
(up to a depth of 8 metres)
Soil examinations
With regard to polluted military sites in Switzerland and abroad, as well as inspections of areas with suspected pollution and firing ranges, representative samples are collected for a laboratory analysis of inorganic pollutants such as lead, antimony, arsenic, tungsten etc. The Environmental Analysis Group has considerable experience in the collection of samples from firing ranges and has developed guidelines and methods to investigate such samples.
- Bore plug to obtain representative soil samples for analysis.
- Collecting soil samples in Albania
Before and after the "VETOXA" project, samples were collected from selected sites and examined by the Environmental Analysis Group within the SPIEZ LABORATORY (photo right). This examination was part of the environmental monitoring activities of the VETOXA project.
Water and sediment investigations
Commissioned by UNEP (United Nations Environment Program), water and sediment (depleted ore) samples were collected following the major mining waste spill of 2000 in Baia Borsa (Romania).
- Mining
waste spill from the Baia Borsa processing complex in Romania (PDF, 572 KB)
UNDAC MISSION REPORT
- Photo left: dam burst - depleted heavy metal ore containing cyanide (sediment),
which spilled into the River Theiss.
Photo right: Collecting samples of sediment containing heavy metal
Analyses related to NBC protection
- Activated carbon filter in gas mask
In the area of NBC protection, the Environmental Analysis Group investigates activated carbon impregnation and decontamination powder (determination of the activated carbon content). These products must meet the highest performance standards. In doing so, the Environmental Analysis Group makes an important contribution to quality assurance.
Impregnated activated carbon has many applications, including gas mask filters. Constant quality controls are therefore essential.
Terror and extortion scenarios
The past has shown all too clearly that terrorist and extortion scenarios using toxic substances must be taken seriously. The Environmental Analysis Group has the necessary capabilities to carry out fail-safe checks on a wide range of matrices of inorganic toxic substances (such as arsenic or cyanide). In doing so, it makes an important contribution to intelligence on incidents of this type.
Damage clarification, disposal and safety issues
As part of activities to test DDPS source material and products, element analyses must be carried out to determine damage clarification, as well as to examine disposal- and safety-related issues. Examples of products which are tested include decontamination powder, ammunition components, waste material and wastewater as well as activated carbon impregnation for use in protective filters.