Product Catalogue ALS EUROPE (WATER)

Significance of the Topic

Reliable water analysis underpins public health protection, environmental stewardship and industrial process control. Comprehensive testing for chemical, microbiological, radiological and ecotoxicological parameters ensures compliance with drinking water regulations, safeguards ecosystems under the EU Water Framework Directive, and supports quality assurance in sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals.

Study Objectives and Overview

This product catalogue from ALS Life Sciences Europe presents an extensive suite of analytical services tailored for water matrices. It aims to equip end users—laboratories, environmental consultants, industrial clients and regulatory bodies—with detailed information on test packages, detection limits, required sample volumes and turnaround times. Key offerings include drinking water compliance panels, environmental monitoring packages, organic pollutant screens, passive sampling solutions and advanced radiological assays.

Methodology and Instrumentation

ALS employs state-of-the-art techniques across its ISO 17025-accredited network:

• Elemental analysis by ICP-OES, ICP-MS and atomic fluorescence (AFS)
• Anion determination via ion chromatography
• Volatile and semi-volatile organics by GC-MS, GC-FID and headspace methods
• Non-volatile organics including PAHs, PCBs and pesticides by GC-MS, GC-ECD and LC-MS/MS
• Bulk organic parameters (TOC, DOC, AOX) by FTIR and spectrophotometry
• Microbiological testing using membrane filtration, colony counts and microscopy
• Radiochemistry by high-resolution gamma spectrometry, liquid scintillation and alpha/beta counting
• Ecotoxicity assays with Daphnia, Scenedesmus, Lemna and Vibrio systems
• Speciation workflows for Cr(III)/Cr(VI), mercury species, PFAS precursors (TOP Assay)
• Passive sampling devices for organic, polar and metal contaminants in situ

Used Instrumentation

The network leverages high-resolution GC-HRMS, LC-MS/MS triple-quadrupole, ICP-SFMS, DEA and specialized radiometric counting platforms. Inter-office support and online portals facilitate rapid data delivery and quality validation.

Main Results and Discussion

The catalogue details over 150 water test packages. Drinking water compliance panels cover metals, anions, PAHs, VOCs, microbiology and special parameters such as bromate, chlorate, pesticides and radiological dose. Environmental suites address seawater, brackish water, low-level freshwater metals, nitrification, organic indicators and ecotoxicity. Target analyte groups extend to perfluorinated compounds (PFAS), petroleum hydrocarbon fractions, organotins, phthalates and complexing agents. Limits of quantification range from sub-µg/L for trace organics and metals to mg/L for bulk indicators.

Contributions and Practical Applications

ALS’s integrated service model accelerates decision-making for water suppliers, industrial process control and environmental remediation projects. Predefined packages simplify regulatory compliance reporting, while bespoke panels and rapid “ALS Quick” turnaround options meet urgent sampling needs. Passive sampling techniques provide time-weighted average concentrations, aiding long-term monitoring in challenging field settings.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Emerging directions include deeper profiling of PFAS precursors via TOP Assay, expanded isotope ratio studies for source apportionment, miniaturized in situ sensors and AI-driven data analytics. Demand for ultra-trace detection of endocrine disruptors, pharmaceuticals and microplastics will drive further method development and laboratory automation.

Conclusion

ALS Life Sciences Europe offers a rigorous, globally harmonized water testing portfolio, combining extensive method coverage with flexible logistics and rapid reporting. Its European network of ISO-accredited laboratories provides tailored analytical solutions that address evolving regulatory frameworks and client-specific quality requirements.