About

Providing high quality comprehensive and specialised services tailored to James Cook University’s research and consulting projects and a commercial analytical service to government agencies and industry.

While our focus is on the analysis of water, wastewater and related samples, staff expertise also includes experience in many facets of water quality research. This includes providing support for studies which examine freshwater streams, rivers, wetlands and reservoirs, ground waters and marine waters.

We provide laboratory services in:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Microbiology

For further information about the services provided by TropWATER’s Water Quality Laboratory, please contact Michelle Tink (Laboratory Manager):

Capabilities

Capabilities and expertise includes:

  • Design and implementation of monitoring programs
  • Sampling of water, sediment and biota
  • Analysis of waters, wastewaters, sediments and biological tissue samples
  • In-situ monitoring and data logging
  • Interpretation of analytical results and statistical analysis of water quality data
  • Discharge license compliance monitoring
  • Testing of water and wastewater treatment efficiencies

In addition, TropWATER researchers have established working links with other JCU Centres. This enables them to draw on the experience of specialists from a wide variety of disciplines, which provides the capability to address the diversity of water quality issues and adopt a holistic approach to water quality evaluation.

In order to provide expert advice, develop new techniques and process research-related analyses, the Water Quality Laboratory works closely with research staff and postgraduate students from JCU and other universities. In recent years, support has been provided for a wide range of projects, including those associated with:
  • Sediment and nutrient run-off from farmed and grazed upper-catchment areas to the Great Barrier Reef
  • Identifying pesticides in river systems in agricultural areas
  • Monitoring water quality in flood plumes following extreme water events (e.g. cyclone Yasi)
  • Environmental impacts on wetland areas surrounding mining and other industrial activities

Equipment

TropWATER’s Water Quality Laboratory is located in modern, custom-built laboratories in the Australian Tropical Sciences and Innovation Precinct (ATSIP). The new facilities include capacity for standard titrimetric, colorimetric and gravimetric analysis techniques, supported by a range of high quality modern instrumentation which enhances the efficiency of routine analyses and provides sophisticated state-of-the-art investigation capabilities.

Items of equipment include:

  • 1 x 2-Channel OI Analytical Flow Solution Analyser
  • 2 x 3-Channel OI Analytical Flow Solution IV Segmented Flow Analysers
  • 1 x Gallery Discrete Analyser (for 24 hour TAT on nutrients)
  • 1 x Agilent Cary UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
  • 1 x Shimadzu UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
  • 1 x Turner Fluorometer

Costs & Process

Costs

For a formal quotation for analytical services, please contact the Water Quality Laboratory Manager (Michelle Tink):

TropWATER Analysis Price List 2018

Process

Please contact Water Quality Laboratory staff:

  • Prior to submitting samples in order to ensure appropriate procedures for sample collection and preservation
  • For appropriate sample bottles and pre-labelled kits
Find out more Email Us Phone 07 4781 4073

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