Geochemical characterisation laboratory

The geochemical composition of sediments and (sub)soils is contributory to the composition of groundwater and surface water. Deltares researches the interactions at the interface between water and sediment and analyses both the solid matter as well as the water.

Analysis and research

I n the laboratory we determine the total content of a large number of elements and a number of physical parameters such as the grain size distribution and permeability. These affect the behaviour and transport of substances in the subsoil. Using various selective extractions and preparations, we can distinguish between fractions with a particular reactivity; anthropogenically-enriched metals, for example, demonstrate behaviour that differs from the natural background contents. The properties of organic substances, such as reactivity and composition, are studied using pyrolysis. In the context of climate change, our laboratory investigates the geochemical effects of desiccation, flooding and changes in seepage pressure due to the sea level rise.

Commissions

Geochemical characterisation is used for the following commissions:

• Analysing core samples for the environmental geochemical survey of the shallow subsoil in a commission from DINO (Data and Information of the Subsurface in the Netherlands)
• Study of the reactivity of the subsoil (TNO Geo Information Programme)
• Fingerprinting ores for tracing their origin (legal bodies)
• Extraction of contaminants from sediment (water boards, central government)
• Mapping natural and anthropogenic lead (central government)