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As part of the LSU AgCenter's Agricultural Experiment Station, the Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory provides analytical services to various researchers affiliated with the AgCenter and the university. Nearly every section in the laboratory is involved in various analyses for research samples. Thousands of samples are analyzed each year for research projects. Depending on the analysis requested, graduate students may be trained to prepare and analyze their own samples. Research projects have been performed on various matrices, including water, soil, foliage (roots, stem, leaves, other tissues), animal tissue (from various species of wildlife), fats, leachates, sludges.
Samples for research projects are received and logged in by Shipping/Receiving Section, then prepared as necessary by drying, grinding, etc. in the sample prep lab before analysis begins.
Analyses and Instrumentation used include:
Nitrogen: Seal Auto Analyzer, Tecator Block Digestion
(P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, S, B, Na, As, Hg, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr, Se, Ba, Be, V, Co): Performed by ICP
Ammonia: Auto-Analyzer
Nitrate: Auto-Analyzer
Salt, Cl, Limes: Metrohm Brinkman Titralyzer
pH: Orion pH meter
Pesticides: Please see Pesticide Residue Section
Nutrient analyses for water samples include:
Phosphorus, Nitrate-Nitrite by colorimetric procedures
TKN: Block Digester and Auto-Analyzer
Ammonia: Auto-Analyzer
Solids: Total Solids, Suspended Solids and Volatile Solids by Filtration
Turbidity
Conductivity
Analyses not listed here may be possible with department head approval, provided resources are available.
Research project results are reported by the Administrative Section and can be made available on disk by request. Research samples not retrieved within 60 days of the date of reported results will be discarded because of lack of storage space.
Researchers interested in submitting samples for analysis should first contact the department head to discuss the desired analysis, sample preparation, methodology and results timeframe.