[Skip to Content](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#main-content) [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en) Products Cart0 USEN Products ProductsApplicationsServicesResourcesSupport [Login / Register](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/oidc-sign-in) [Order Lookup](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/order-lookup) [Quick Order](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/quick-order) Cart0 [Home](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en)[Applications](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/applications)[Environmental Testing & Industrial Hygiene](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/applications/environmental-testing-and-industrial-hygiene)Soil, Solid Waste & Groundwater Testing # Soil, Solid Waste & Groundwater Testing  Soil and groundwater testing are crucial to monitor industrial discharges that may adversely affect the environment and human health. There are numerous technical articles, protocols, and approved analytical methods available to guide solid waste management and testing for heavy metals and other environmental pollutants.  * * * ## Related Products Slide 1 of 9 1 of 2 [ \ Millipore \ YT30090HW \ Millipore ZHE Hazardous Waste System](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/mm/yt30090hw) Quick View [ \ Supelco \ 173018 \ Prove 600](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/mm/173018) Quick View [ \ Supelco \ 1.73632 \ Colorimeter Move 100](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/mm/173632) Quick View [ \ Sigma-Aldrich \ Z564796 \ Aldrich® jacketed Soxhlet extractor](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/aldrich/z564796) Quick View [ \ Supelco \ SQC009 \ Chlorinated Pesticides in Soil](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sial/sqc009) Quick View [ \ Supelco \ 19036 \ Chromium(VI) Standard for ICP](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sial/19036) Quick View [ \ Supelco \ 57044 \ Visiprep™ SPE Vacuum Manifold](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/supelco/57044) Quick View [ \ Supelco \ 57054 \ Supelclean™ LC-18 SPE Tube](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/supelco/57054) Quick View [ \ Supelco \ 28423-U \ Dioxin Sample Preparation Kit](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/supelco/28423u) Quick View * * * ## Featured Categories [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/analytical-chemistry/photometry-and-rapid-chemical-testing/photometry-instruments-kits-and-accessories) [Photometric Analysis with Spectroquant® Instruments & Test Kits](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/analytical-chemistry/photometry-and-rapid-chemical-testing/photometry-instruments-kits-and-accessories) Explore Spectroquant® solutions: instruments, software, test kits, accessories. From start to finish, ensure rapid, accurate results with user-friendly handling. [Shop Products](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/analytical-chemistry/photometry-and-rapid-chemical-testing/photometry-instruments-kits-and-accessories) [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/analytical-chemistry/analytical-chromatography/hplc-columns) [HPLC Columns](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/analytical-chemistry/analytical-chromatography/hplc-columns) Achieve precise separations with our extensive HPLC column collection. Enhance retention, resolution, and selectivity. Order today. 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[Shop Products](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/analytical-chemistry/analytical-chromatography/gc-columns-accessories-and-adsorbents) [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/analytical-chemistry/reference-materials/certified-reference-materials) [Certified Reference Materials](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/analytical-chemistry/reference-materials/certified-reference-materials) Certified Reference Materials: CRMs for forensic, clinical, environmental, pharmaceutical, and food & beverage testing. [Shop Products](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/analytical-chemistry/reference-materials/certified-reference-materials) * * * Overview Related Articles & Protocols Support ## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Solid waste and its impact on soil and groundwater Solid waste is the refuse generated from human activities during industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations. With an increase in population and industrial activities, solid waste must be appropriately managed and contained to avoid an adverse impact on the environment and human health. Traditionally, landfill sites are used for solid waste management because of their simplicity, large handling capacity, and minimal operating costs. However, improperly maintained landfills and dumping sites with poor leachate collection systems become a potential source of soil, surface and groundwater contamination. The composition of solid waste can alter soil chemistry and cause a considerable environmental impact by producing leachate and biogas. The most common contaminants found in solid waste leachate are chromium, dioxin, hydrocarbons, organochlorines, PAH, PCB, pesticides, radionuclides, TPH, VOC, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) as well as deadly pathogens. Hence, employing a proper leachate monitoring program is obligatory for the safety and risk assessment. ## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Soil and Groundwater Testing Soil and groundwater testing are a hallmark of good leachate monitoring programs and critical in site investigations or environmental risk assessments. Soil and groundwater matrices and chemistries are complex and highly variable, making accurate measurements challenging. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recommends Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) to determine hazardous elements present in waste. This chemical analysis process simulates contaminant leaching in a landfill environment over time, prior to depositing the waste in designated landfills. TCLP determines the mobility of organic and inorganic contaminants (metals, pesticides, herbicides, and solvents) in liquid, solid, and multiphasic wastes. The [Leaching Environmental Assessment Framework](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/environmental-testing-and-industrial-hygiene/soil-solid-waste-and-groundwater-testing/epaleaf) (LEAF), is an alternative evaluation system designed to identify and accurately describe the release of inorganic, semi-volatile organic, and non-volatile organic constituents of potential concern (COPCs) in solid materials. LEAF methods were designed to provide a flexible and customizable framework for distinguishing leaching characteristics under a range of conditions for a variety of solid materials in contact with ground or surface water. ## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Soil and Groundwater Testing Techniques To ascertain the extent of pollution, regulatory agencies (e.g., USEPA) require the use of official methods when testing soil and groundwater. Soil and groundwater are tested for physicochemical properties, including total dissolved solids, pH, hardness of water, cations, anions, organic matter, total carbon, nitrate, ammonium, and heavy metals. Common analytical techniques for soil and groundwater testing include conductivity, titrimetry, gravimetry, fluorimetry, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography, ICP-MS, LC-MS, and GC-MS. [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/documents-search) [Looking for More Specific Information?](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/documents-search) Visit our document search for data sheets, certificates and technical documentation. [Find Documents](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/documents-search) ## Related Articles - [Phosphate Determination in Water](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/environmental-testing-and-industrial-hygiene/soil-solid-waste-and-groundwater-testing/phosphate-in-groundwater-surface-water) Spectroquant® photometric test accurately quantifies low concentrations of PO4-P in natural waters. - [Neonicotinoids Pesticides and Metabolites](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/environmental-testing-and-industrial-hygiene/soil-solid-waste-and-groundwater-testing/neonicotinoids-pesticides) Neonicotinoids have established themselves as key components in insecticides because of their unique selectivity. The mode of action is similar to nicotine. - [Analysis of PFAS extractables in filtration products using ASTM D8421](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/analytical-chemistry/filtration/analysis-pfas-extractables-filtration-products-astm-d8421) Evaluation and implementation of Millex® syringe filters for sample filtration in ASTM D8421 for PFAS analysis. - [Complete Solutions for Soil Testing](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/analytical-chemistry/photometry-and-reflectometry/complete-solutions-for-soil-testing) Discover products for soil analysis of key parameters such as PFAS, pesticides, VOCs, PAHs, PCBs, dioxins using a variety of analytical techniques. - [Comprehensive Quality Assurance and Process Control](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/analytical-chemistry/photometry-and-reflectometry/comprehensive-quality-assurance-and-process-control) Optimize measurement reliability with advanced analytical quality assurance and process control using Spectroquant®, MQuant®, TraceCERT®, and more. - [See All (24)](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/search/facet-search?focus=sitecontent&term=facet-search) ## Related Protocols - [Determination of Ammonium in Soils](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/protocol/environmental-testing-and-industrial-hygiene/soil-solid-waste-and-groundwater-testing/ammonium-in-soils) Ammonium is the naturally preferred source of nitrogen for plant growth and there is an increasing global demand for organic food products. - [Analytical Method: Zinc in soils](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/protocol/environmental-testing-and-industrial-hygiene/soil-solid-waste-and-groundwater-testing/zinc-in-soils) Photometric determination with pyridylazoresorcinol (PAR) subsequent to acid extraction - [Ammonium Photometric Determination in Drinking and Surface Water](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/protocol/analytical-chemistry/photometry-and-reflectometry/ammonium-photometric-determination-in-drinking-and-surface-water) Photometric determination of ammonium ions in drinking and surface water samples by indophenol blue method using Spectroquant® test kits and spectrophotometer. - [Colorimetric Determination of Nitrate in Soil](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/protocol/analytical-chemistry/photometry-and-reflectometry/colorimetric-determination-of-nitrate-in-soil) Nitrate in soil test using soil nitrate test strips for rapid smartphone-based analysis after reduction to nitrite and reaction with Griess reagent. - [See All (40)](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/search/facet-search?focus=sitecontent&term=facet-search) ## How Can We Help In case of any questions, please submit a [customer support request](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/support/customer-support) or talk to our customer service team: Email [custserv@sial.com](mailto:custserv@sial.com) or call +1 (800) 244-1173 ## Additional Support - [Chromatogram Search](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/chromatogram-search) Use the Chromatogram Search to identify unknown compounds in your sample. - [Calculators & Apps](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/support/calculators-and-apps) Web Toolbox - science research tools and resources for analytical chemistry, life science, chemical synthesis and materials science. - [Customer Support Request](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/support/customer-support) Customer support including help with orders, products, accounts, and website technical issues. - [FAQ](https://maestro.my.site.com/knowledgeportal/s/) Explore our Frequently Asked Questions for answers to commonly asked questions about our products and services. * * * __Featured Articles__ [Phosphate Determination in Water](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/environmental-testing-and-industrial-hygiene/soil-solid-waste-and-groundwater-testing/phosphate-in-groundwater-surface-water) Spectroquant® photometric test accurately quantifies low concentrations of PO4-P in natural waters. [Neonicotinoids Pesticides and Metabolites](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/environmental-testing-and-industrial-hygiene/soil-solid-waste-and-groundwater-testing/neonicotinoids-pesticides) Neonicotinoids have established themselves as key components in insecticides because of their unique selectivity. The mode of action is similar to nicotine. [Efficient PAH Analysis (EU 15+1) using an Ascentis® Express PAH HPLC Column](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/analytical-chemistry/small-molecule-hplc/efficient-pah-analysis) This application note describes the fast and efficient separation of the EU’s list of 15 + 1 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using Ascentis® Express PAH HPLC column. 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