The GEOLabor is the research and teaching laboratory of the Institute of Geography at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. In addition to numerous sample preparation and digestion devices, the geo-laboratory is equipped with various chemical analysis devices.
These include various measuring electrodes (pH, LF, O2), titrators, spectrophotometers, an elemental analyzer (IRMS), a C/N/S analyzer, three gas chromatographs (1 mass spectrometer) and an ICP-OES. These can be used to determine a variety of inorganic and organic substances in sediments, soil, water, air and plants. There are also measuring devices for the physical-structural analysis of soils (grain sizes, pore system, etc.). In this way, a comprehensive range of substances in the above-mentioned environmental media can be analyzed for the type and quantity of their contents as well as their functionality.
As part of their research, members of the institute can draw on the services offered by the GEOLabor. The analyses that can be carried out are part of the geomorphological, pedological and geoecological-systems-analytical research carried out within Physical Geography. The geolaboratory is also available for student training in physical geography. On the one hand during internships/project studies, on the other hand for own investigations in the context of qualification work (Bachelor, Master’s degree, doctoral dissertation).
After logging in and receiving instruction, analyses can be carried out largely independently at the respective workspaces and evaluated using the available computers.
An extensive collection of field equipment is available for field work.
- pH, conductivity and O2 meter
- Soil sampling cylinder set for taking undisturbed soil samples for laboratory tests
The following devices are available for sample preparation and analysis
| Devices | Applications |
|---|---|
| Test sieve shaker (Retsch) | Grain size composition |
| Pipette analysis | Grain size composition |
| SM 2000 shredder (Retsch) | Shredding of plant material |
| Ball mill PM 200 (Retsch company) | Shredding of soil and plant material |
| Laboratory muffle furnace (up to 1100 C°) (Memmert) | Loss on ignition; Org. substance |
| Ultrasonic extraction | Solids extraction |
| Microwave | Wet digestion of solids; (in particular for the clause of heavy metals, alkali metals and alkaline earth metals) and organic substances |
| Drying cabinets |
| Devices | Analyzes |
|---|---|
| ICP-OES (Spektro Arcos-ICP) | Trace elements |
| FIAstar 500 analyzer (Foss) | Ammonium, nitrite/nitrate, phosphate |
| GC/MS/MS (Agilent 7890B-Triple Quad 7000D), 1 GC/MS (Agilent), 6890N/5975B 1 GC-FID/ECD Perkin Elmer, Clarus 400 1 GC-PFC (Agilent/Gerstel 7890B with preparative fraction collector) – for the collection of gas chromatographically separated ultrapure substances | Organic trace analysis and greenhouse gases CO2, CH4, N2O |
| C/N/S analyzer | Carbon and nitrogen determination in soil |
| EA-IRMS (Elementar, vario EL cube) | Isotope determination, – δ15N, δ13C |
| Scheibler apparatus | Determination of lime content (CaCO3) |
| Photometer (Analytik Jena, Spectro record) | Anions |
| Suction voltages with a pF system; compressed air (Eijkelkamp) | Water capacity, water tension curve (pF value determination); water and air permeability, pore size distribution |
Organic analytics
Inorganic analytics
Trace gas analysis
- Greenhouse Gas Analyzer(Los Gatos Research, Pelican ProductsGGA-30p) – CH4,CO2, H2O
- Eddy Covariance System –CO2
Aids
- Water treatment system(Thermo Scientific, Barnstead Nanopure D50281)
- Microwave connection system(Anton Paar, PRO50HZ)
- Nitrogen blow-off evaporator(Techne, Dri-Block DB-3 FDB03AD coupled to Techne, Sample Concentrator FSC400D)
- Rotary evaporator (Büchi, R3)
- Centrifuge(Heraeus, Megafuge 1.0)
- 6-place Soxhlet extraction system(Wisd Laboratory Instruments, DH.WHM12295)
- Drying oven (VWR, DL 112 Prime)
- Drying oven(Heraeus, UT 6060), joint use with the Geomorphology working group
- Muffle furnace(Heraeus, M110), joint use with the Geomorphology working group
