The document discusses the importance and relevance of elemental analysis in soil science, highlighting the technological advancements and tailored solutions offered by the Elementar Group. It covers various instrumentation, the history of innovations, key applications in agriculture and environmental studies, and specific products such as the Vario Max Cube and Vario EL Cube. The content emphasizes the need for accurate soil analysis to support food security and sustainable agricultural practices as the global population grows.

1. Elemental Analysis of Soils
- Dedicated instrument solutions in soil science -
October, 21st 2015
Dr. Marc Ruppenthal
Product Manager Elemental Analysis
Dr. Ralf Dunsbach
Product Manager TOC Analysis
Webinar

2. 22/10/2015 Elemental analysis of soils - webinar - 2
Agenda
About ElementarGroup1
Why is elemental analysis of soils relevant?2
Our technology - Your solutions in soil science3
Summary4

3. The elementargroup – about us
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• The technology leader in
• Elemental Analysis (EA)
• Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS)
• Offers an unmatched combination of
• innovative technologies,
• tailor-made solutions and
• comprehensive support.

4. The elementargroup – the subsidiaries
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Elementar Americas
Elementar Headquarters
Elementar France
Isoprime Ltd.
Elementar Italia
Elementar Trading (Shanghai)
Elementar Australia

5. The elementargroup – the distribution network
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Represented in all relevant world markets by our own sales
organisation and a network of well-chosen distributors

6. The elementargroup history
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was founded
1851
Dennstedt patent "über die vereinfachte
Elementaranalytik" was the basis for the
1st instrument generation
1904
The first elemental analyzer for
simultaneous detection of carbon, hydrogen
and nitrogen was invented.
1932
The first Dumas Nitrogen/Protein
analyzer was introduced
1964
The EA business of Heraeus was sold in
a management buyout and restructured
under the brand name Elementar.
1995
The High temperature TOC analyzer
was introduced
1973
The first fully automatic elemental analyzer
with TCD detection was introduced
1980

7. The elementargroup history
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Introduction of the "cube" platform
vario MICRO cube, vario EL cube,
vario MACRO cube, rapid N cube
2006
vario TOC cube
2008
rapid CS cube, vario ISOTOPE cube,
vario PYRO cube
2009
rapid N exceed, rapid OXY cube
2014
trace SN cube
2010
vario MAX cube, iso TOC cube
2012
Isoprime Ltd was acquired

8. The elementargroup history
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Introduction of the inductar series
inductar CS cube, inductar ONH cube,
inductar EL cube
2015
rapid MAX N exceed, rapid MiCRO N cube

9. The elementargroup – key markets
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AgricultureChemicals EnvironmentalEnergy MaterialsForensics

10. Tailor-made to customer needs
• Elemental analyzer optimized for different analytical tasks
• vario Series - Industry-leading versatility in elemental analysis
• rapid Series - Dedicated instruments serving today’s customer needs
• trace Series - Trace-level detection of elements
• TOC Series - Fast and easy determination of total organic carbon
• inductar Series – Dedicated instruments for the analysis of metals and inorganics
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11. Some of our customers
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Agenda
About ElementarGroup1
Why is elemental analysis of soils relevant?2
Our technology - Your solutions in soil science3
Summary4

13. Why is elemental analysis of soil relevant?
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“Studies predict the world population to increase beyond 8.2 billion within
the next 10 years, demanding ways to optimise the use of agrarian land
to provide a larger food supply.”
• Agricultural science and analytics are the key to
manage the growing fundamental demands for
food, feed and water.

14. Why is elemental analysis of soil relevant?
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• Carbon and nitrogen are important drivers in the
element cycling of soils.
• Elemental analysis provides essential information
about microbiological activity and organic matter,
enabling a selective fertilisation of arable land.
• Understanding the carbon-nitrogen ratio of soil is
therefore of utmost importance.

15. Why is elemental analysis of soil relevant?
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• Sulphur is gaining importance: After a period of
overfertilization with S due to power plant
emissions, S is now starting to become a limiting
nutrient in certain locations (introduction of flue
gas desulfurization in the 80s).

16. Who is interested in soil analysis?
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• Agricultural laboratories
• Government and public authorities
• Contract laboratories
• Research institutes

17. 22/10/2015 Elemental analysis of soils - webinar - 17
Agenda
About ElementarGroup1
Why is elemental analysis of soils relevant?2
Our technology - Your solutions in soil science3
vario MAX cube3.1
vario EL cube3.2
vario TOC cube3.3
Have you thought about stable isotopes?3.4
Summary4

18. Advanced Purge and Trap (APT) Technology
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• High data quality
• Purge and Trap columns always provide complete
baseline separation
• Very long life time
• Compared to GC columns
• Outstanding sample flexibility
• Largest dynamic range thanks to 250-fold higher load
compared to GC columns
• C/N ratios of up to 7000:1
• In conjunction with the detection of the complete
combustion gas without gas splitting or dilution
H2O
N2
CO2
SO2

19. Blank free sample transfer
Elemental analysis of soils - webinar -
• Patented ball valve
• Well-proven reliability
• Simple maintenance
1. Sample insertion 2. Flush with carrier gas 3. Sample transfer
22/10/2015 19

20. Robustness and safety
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• Robustness and longevity
Manufactured and quality-controlled exclusively in our
headquarter in Hanau.
• Safety
We manufacture according to strict EU norms and standards
such as the EMV low voltage directive 73/23/EEC and the EU
machinery directive 2006/42/EG. All our instruments are
operated at low voltage (48 volts).

21. Slide-out furnace and clamp connections
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• Analysis of all combustion gases
All of the sample gas produced from combustion or pyrolysis
is directed to a single thermal conductivity detector (TCD)
without "gas splitting". This ensures quantitative and matrix-
independent determination of element concentrations even
in slowly digesting or difficult to digest substances.
• Easy maintenance
Easy-to-use clamp connections provide reliable sealing and
at the same time make maintenance easy and
straightforward. The slide-out furnaces make exchange of
reagents a quick and easy task.

22. The elementargroup – technological leadership
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• Indestructible combustion furnace and TCD
The thermal conductivity detector (TCD) used in our
instruments is oxygen proof and is not affected by any kind
of malfunction – the warranty for both combustion furnace
and detector cell of the TCD is 10 years.

23. 22/10/2015 Elemental analysis of soils - webinar - 23
Agenda
About ElementarGroup1
Why is elemental analysis of soils relevant?2
Our technology - Your solutions in soil science3
vario MAX cube3.1
vario EL cube3.2
vario TOC cube3.3
Have you thought about stable isotopes?3.4
Summary4

24. Is sample homogeneity important?
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Capacity of the
purge & trap column
Sample homogeneity
• Low sample homogeneity requires that larger sample
amounts are analyzed
•  Larger sample amounts in turn produce more combustion
gases and thus require larger gas adsorption capacities

25. How to guarantee sufficient homogeneity?
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• 1) Through sample preparation…
• There are many effective ways to grind
samples including the use of a planetary ball
mill, Wiley mill, freezer mill, roller grinder, or
the standard mortar and pestle.

26. How to guarantee sufficient homogeneity?
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• …followed by analysis in a Micro or Semi-
Macro elemental analyzer, e.g., vario EL cube
• ! Microbalance necessary !
• OR 

27. Simplified sample preparation
– with vario MAX cube
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• No grinding or milling
• Large capacity crucibles for large sample amount
• Broad sample weight range
• Up to 5 g / 5 ml sample
• Up to 500 mg total carbon and 330 mg total nitrogen
• Highest sample flexibility
• Inhomogeneous samples
• Samples with high ash content
Weigh in the crude samples
into reusable crucibles
Place them on the
autosampler
Start the sequence
Get the results!

28. vario MAX cube – simplified sample preparation
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• Tedious sample preparation?
• Not necessary!

29. vario MAX cube
– Automatic Ash Removal Technology
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• Reusable stainless steel crucibles
• Robotic arm inserts the sample automatically and
removes the crucible including the ash after the
analysis

30. • Addresses any high throughput laboratory
• Designed for 24/7 operation
• Available in CN and CNS mode
vario MAX cube
– a new dimension in throughput
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31. vario MAX cube – analysis of soil
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• Soil from banana plantation in Ecuador
• Sample weight: 1000 mg
• CN mode
• exp. results ± abs. SD
Sample C
[%]
N
[%]
C/N
ratio
Fluvisol Ah horizon 1.488 ± 0.003 0.051 ± 0.001 29.2
Fluvisol B horizon 0.670 ± 0.001 0.065 ±0.001 10.3
Fluvisol B/C horizon 1.921 ± 0.004 0.024 ± 0.001 80.0
31

32. vario MAX cube – analysis of soil
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• Soil from a pasture Southwest USA
• Sample weight: 550 - 750 mg
• six-fold determination
• 1 : 1 addition of WO3
Sample C
[%]
N
[%]
S
[%]
Cambisol Ah horizon 1.112 ± 0.001 0.104 ± 0.001 0.0229 ± 0.0005
Cambisol B horizon 1.782 ± 0.010 0.168 ±0.001 0.0231 ± 0.0004
Cambisol Cw horizon 0.335 ± 0.013 0.053 ± 0.027 0.0094 ± 0.003
Calcisol B horizon 4.187 ± 0.015 0.051 ± 0.001 0.0873 ± 0.0028
32

33. 22/10/2015 Elemental analysis of soils - webinar - 33
Agenda
About ElementarGroup1
Why is elemental analysis of soils relevant?2
Our technology - Your solutions in soil science3
vario MAX cube3.1
vario EL cube3.2
vario TOC cube3.3
Have you thought about stable isotopes?3.4
Summary4

34. The vario series
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• Ideal sample weight therefore depends on a
combination of the type of samples you are
analyzing and the type of elemental analyzer you
are using
• Note: Aggresive samples (high halogen or salt
content) should be analyzed with the lowest
possible weight to increase lifetime of both
consumables and instrument

35. vario EL cube
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Meet the gold standard

36. How to guarantee sufficient homogeneity?
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• Grinding followed by analysis in a Micro or
Semi-Macro elemental analyzer, e.g., vario
EL cube
• ! Microbalance necessary !

37. vario EL cube – analysis of soil and sediment
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• From a coastal forest, Northwestern France
• Sample: 10 - 100 mg
• CHNS mode
• exp. results ± abs. SD

38. Industry-leading performance and versatility
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• Optional conversion kits allow instrument
upgrade at any time for special applications
(e.g., S detection down to 2 ppm with IR, Cl
detection,…)

39. vario EL cube – sample weight and type
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• Wide sample weight range
• From micro- (below 1 mg) to semi-macro
• Up to 40 mg total carbon content
• Highest sample flexibility
• From pure organic material (e.g. charcoal) to
sediments with only trace amounts of organic
material
• Challenging sample matrices
• Fluorinated compounds
• Compounds that are difficult to oxidise

40. 22/10/2015 Elemental analysis of soils - webinar - 40
Agenda
About ElementarGroup1
Why is elemental analysis of soils relevant?2
Our technology - Your solutions in soil science3
vario MAX cube3.1
vario EL cube3.2
vario TOC cube3.3
Have you thought about stable isotopes?3.4
Summary4

41. 41
The Result of 40 years experience with TOC

42. Scope of parameters
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TOC=Total Organic Carbon
TIC=Total Inorganic Carbon
TC=Total Carbon
NPOC=Non Purgeable Organic Carbon
POC=Purgeable Organic Carbon
TNb=Total bound Nitrogen

43. The Concept
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44. Matrix separation
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45. Soil extracts
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0.5M K2SO4
fumigated
0.25M K2SO4 0.5M K2SO4
Non fum.
1st injection [mg/l] 71.0 5.64 28.8
2nd injection [mg/l] 70.7 5.76 29.4
3rd injection [mg/l] 71.3 5.76 29.4
Mean [mg/l] 71.1 5.72 29.2
SDr [%] 0.35 1.27 1.13
Conditions: 700°C comb. Temperature, 0.5ml injection volume

46. 22/10/2015 Elemental analysis of soils - webinar - 46
Agenda
About ElementarGroup1
Why is elemental analysis of soils relevant?2
Our technology - Your solutions in soil science3
vario MAX cube3.1
vario EL cube3.2
vario TOC cube3.3
Have you thought about stable isotopes?3.4
Summary4

47. GeovisION
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• Designed specifically for the investigation of CNS and OH isotopic variations
in agricultural, geological and environmental samples
oo
Isoprime
Market leading visION
stable isotope analyzer
Elementar
Market leading
elemental analyzer

48. GeovisION – analysis of soil
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• Soil and sediment samples from
different locations in Central Europe
• Sample weight: 5 - 100 mg
• six-fold determination
Sample δ13C
[‰ VPDB]
δ15N
[‰ AIR N2]
δ34S
[‰ VCDT]
Anthrosol A horizon −29.96±0.02 14.01±0.10 7.08±0.13
Mollisol A horizon −26.85±0.05 6.79±0.11 9.46±0.16
Cambisol A horizon −28.56±0.03 8.43±0.08 5.02±0.11
Pleistocenic fluvial sediment −24.03±0.07 10.86±0.12 -
48

49. iso TOC cube
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• The only truly integrated TOC-IRMS system
• Dissolved carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis at the
highest level
• Unique applications for IRMS analysis of TOC and TNb
• 100% C and N recovery independent from sample
type and matrix
• Matrices ranging from the mostdilute aqueous samples
to aggressive soil extracts
• Liquid injection volume of up to 3 ml

50. 22/10/2015 Elemental analysis of soils - webinar - 50
Agenda
About ElementarGroup1
Why is elemental analysis of soils relevant?2
Our technology - Your solutions in soil science3
Summary4

51. Our technology – Your solution in soil science
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Capacity of the
purge & trap column
Sample homogeneity
• Advanced purge and trap
technology is key to highly
accurate soil analysis
H2O
N2
CO2
SO2

52. vario MAX cube
- a new dimension in throughput -
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• Ease of use
• Samples up 5 g / 5 ml
• Automatic ash removal
• Simplified sample preparation
• Helium or argon as carrier gas
• Available as CN or CNS analyzer
• 24/7 unattended operation
• 10 years warranty on furnace and detector

53. vario EL cube
- meet the gold standard -
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• The most versatile elemental analyzer in the
market (CHNS, CHN, CNS, CN, N, S, O, Cl, TIC,
TOC)
• Options for infrared detection of S down to
2 ppm, liquid sample injection,…
• Helium or argon as carrier gas
• Sample weight of <0.2 mg or up to 1 g
• High robustness – low maintenance
• 10 years warranty on furnace and TCD cell

54. GeovisION
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• Straightforward analysis and intelligent control
for incredible ease of use
• Significantly reduced consumption of laboratory
resources
• Good-For-Go control drastically reduces
instrument contact time

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Elementar thanks
for your attention !