In the field of chemistry, pharmacy or soil science, leachate is generated by the process of “leaching”. This is a technique for extracting soluble products with a solvent, particularly water. Leachate refers to the residual liquid that results from the percolation of water through a material, particularly the soluble part.
What is the purpose of leachate analysis?
Leachate analysis is mainly used in an environmental approach; for example, in the case of water circulating in the soil or in a substrate containing toxic products (industrial or household waste landfill).
Also, the analysis of leachates allows to highlight the presence (or absence) of pollutants such as: heavy metals, plasticizers, fatty acids, mineral compounds, microorganisms… Indeed, leachates, because of their consequent polluting load, can be at the origin of groundwater, surface water or soil contamination.
Some European regulations such as the landfill and waste directives require the treatment of leachate. These regulations aim to prevent and reduce their harmful effects on health and the environment.
FILAB laboratory can assist you in your leachate chemical composition analysis needs
In an environmental context, you need to demonstrate the presence or absence of toxic pollutants with the support of a competent laboratory. FILAB provides you with its analytical equipment to help you in this need:
- Study of the chemical composition of a leachate by ICP-AES or ICP-MS
- Preparation of a leachate by the leaching technique on a material or a powder
- Research and determination of heavy metals
- Identification of pollution in suspension in the leachate by SEM-FEG-EDX
- Research and determination of acids
- PMUC analysis (control and approval) by leaching and combustion
