This document provides information about the soil analysis laboratory at the Institute of Applied Sciences, University of the South Pacific in Fiji. The lab analyzes about 8,000 samples per year, including 300 soil/sediment samples. Tests performed include total organic carbon, total nitrogen, heavy metals, pesticides and more using instruments like furnaces, gas chromatographs, and spectrometers. The lab supports university research projects and commercial clients. Strengths are its track record of proficiency testing since 2010, ISO accreditation, quality control, trained staff, and regional cooperation on soil and sediment analysis of nutrients and contaminants. Areas for improvement include further technician training, reference materials, reduced inter-laboratory study costs, and

1. Country: FIJI
Laboratory name: The INSTITUTE OF APPLIED SCIENCES,
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC (IAS-USP)
Name of the presenter: DR. VINCENT LAL

2. Soil analysis in your lab
What analysis do you perform?
• Total organic carbon, total nitrogen, TKN, particle
size, pH, chloride, heavy metals, pesticide residue,
etc
How many samples do you analyse each year?
• All samples ~8000 samples
• Soil/sediment ~ 300 samples
What instrument/equipment do you use?
• Furnace, GC, ICP-OES, AAS, GF-AAS, UV-Vis, etc
What projects do you support?
• MSc, PhD and commercial samples, ASPAC
proficiency samples

3. Are they ‘mobile’ laboratories?
• No (all testing done onsite)
• Conduct sampling offsite
Are soil test kits commonly used?
• No (not at the moment)
Soil analysis in your country

4. What do you think your lab is strong at?
• Track record of testing ASPAC soil with commercial
soil and sediment samples since 2010 – 2019
• Accredited to ISO17025:2017 for testing laboratory
• Strong emphasis and adherence to QAQC
• Dedicated staff and trained technicians
• Dedicated instrument and laboratory facilities
• Access to academic staff within the faculty of
Science, Technology and Engineering
• TOC, heavy metals and nutrients in soil/sediments
• Regional cooperation with a number of projects
Strengths and Weaknesses

5. What do you think it could be improved in your lab?
• Further capacity building for technicians in updated
methodologies and instrumentation for soil testing
• Availability of reference material (appropriate
soil/sediment samples)
• Reduced cost to take part in inter-laboratory studies
• Investment into a dedicated CHN analyser
Strengths and Weaknesses

6. What are your expectations out of this meeting and
GLOSOLAN?
• Better regional cooperation in soil analysis
• Establishment of a regional testing laboratory
• Continued support with Interlaboratory studies
• Accreditation of the TOC test
• Using a reference material for Loss by Ignition (LOI)
• Capacity building and more awareness through other
workshops or training on soil
Expectations

7. Pictures from your laboratory

8. Thanks for your attention