Environmental Fate Instrumentation

With over 15,000 square feet of dedicated laboratory space between our three facilities, Springborn is outfitted with all of the necessary components to process your studies quickly and cost effectively. Our labs are equipped with "walk-in" environmental control chambers, laminar flow hoods, cryogenic freezers and all of the required components you would expect from a first-class CRO. Below is small sample of some of our more sophisticated equipment.

Thermo Environmental Instruments Model 1200 TOC Analyzer

Includes a 78-position automatic sampler and NDIR detector with Gas Filter Correlation to eliminate baseline noise and drift. High temperature oxidation allows measurement of TOC not just oxidizable carbon. A Total Organic Carbon Analyzer measures the amount total organic carbon content. The crucial issue, however, is the reliability of the data produced, and.the TOC 1200 is both accurate and highly productive. Accuracy is established by means of complete oxidation at high elevated temperatures and a unique correlation technique making sure that only carbon dioxide is measured The combination of scrubbers used, non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) detection and gas filter correlation technique, results not only in an accurate, but also interference free TOC-analysis. The TOC 1200 measures TC, IC, TOC, TC-I and POC in solid and liquid samples.

Columbus Instruments, Micro-Oxymax O2/CO2/CH4/CO Respirometer

Columbus Instruments' Micro-Oxymax Respirometer system is a highly adaptable general purpose closed and open circuit respirometer. In closed circuit operation the system monitors the concentration of gas contained within an enclosed head space into which the material being monitored is respiring. Periodic sensing of the gas concentration, along with an equally accurate measurement of the volume of the head space, allows calculations of incremental and accumulated values for consumption and production. The Micro-Oxymax Respirometer's patented design principle provides a sensing threshold of 2x10 liter of gas per hour.

In open circuit operation the system senses gas concentration changes that occur between inlet and outlet ports of a chamber through which a known flow of air is ventilated. Micro-Oxymax employs precision mass flow measurement technology that does not require STP compensation. Its open circuit operation allows scaling of the system to suit a wide range of applications. The system can be configured for single or multiple gas sensing. Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Hydrogen can be sensed over specially selected ranges to meet almost any application. Micro-Oxymax Respirometer can be configured to monitor from 1 to 80 chambers. The system also allows measurements to be conducted in gas compositions that differ from ambient atmospheric. Enriched or depleted oxygen or carbon dioxide conditions are accommodated by the Micro-Oxymax Respirometer. It is suitable for measuring low levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane or carbon monoxide production or consumption in aerobic or anaerobic systems and can perform headspace gas measurements on up to 80 samples at a time. The closed system returns headspace gas to vessel after measurement.

Strathkelvin Instruments, Activated Sludge Respirometer

The system offers ease of use and productive operation, with tests completed in 5-10 minutes. Accuracy is assured by having all calculations and analysis carried out automatically by software, incorporating automatic report generation for printing or archiving. A water bath is used to maintain the activated sludge at constant temperature during a respirometry run. If the ASR is not located in a constant temperature lab, or if respiration rates need to be run at the temperature of the aeration tanks, a customized Lauda temperature controller can be incorporated. A six position magnetic stirrer is located beneath the bath. The six 20ml respirometer cells are located in a rack, for easy removal at the end of a run. Six high precision oxygen electrodes are connected to this unit, housed in electrode holders for easy insertion into the respirometer cells. These electrodes transmit the digital signals to the computer software.

Sample Oxidizers

These units combust solid samples containing radiolabeled test substances to carbon dioxide and water. Carbon dioxide is trapped and mixed with a scintillation cocktail for analysis by a liquid scintillation counter. These proven oxidizers combust dry or wet samples and liquids. Samples up to 300 mg of solids or up to 0.50 ml liquid may be combusted. Single or dual labeled samples, 14-C and 3-H may be used and a unique sample presentation system prevents residue build up. The oxidizers are ideal for soil or high ash content materials and fatty samples. They have excellent recovery (98%), with reproducibility within +/- 1%. They also feature low memory, less than 50 cpm. above back-ground on samples up to 100,000 d.p.m., rapid startup - only 20 to 30 minutes from cold and easy access to all parts. Catalytic oxidation ensures removal of quenching agents such as SO₂ or NO₂.

Thermolyne Model 21100 Tube Furnace

This instrument oxidizes trapped volatiles to carbon dioxide. Recommended for use with flash-vacuum thermolysis apparatus, it features accurate, automatic temperature control with a self-tuning function that maintains preset temperature. A LCD display shows both set point and chamber temperature (to 1,200 ^oC). Heating elements are embedded in ceramic fiber insulation for rapid heatup and cool down. Adjustable alarm or OTP temperature setting can be used to protect the furnace or loads in the chamber from excess heat. The chamber is supplied with two interchangeable end pieces to accept tube diameters of 2.5 and 5.0 cm. The furnace operates in any position.

AMBIS TLC Plate Scanner

The AMBIS TLC imagers are used when plates to be scanned incorporate test substances that are radioactively labeled. The AMBIS radioisotopic imagers detect, quantify, and image radioactive "spots" directly on TLC. Equipped with a 10-cassette sample auto-loader the instrument can operate virtually nonstop for overnight or weekend scans.

Beckman Liquid Scintillation Counters

Our Scintillation Counters combine advanced scintillation technology with configurability to meet your exact requirements. Beckman Counters offer unparalleled flexibility in a single high performance system. Features include: DPM results without quench curves, precise quench monitoring, superior results for multi-label studies and automatic color detection and correction.

In addition to the above instrumentation, Springborn maintains a full complement of sophisticated analytical instrumentation (LINK) and provides analytical services for the identification and measurement of chemical substances and metabolites.