Chemical analyses

Sampling and chemical analysis of water, gas and geological materials are the core of ÍSOR's geochemical services. We are committed to providing our clients with dependable, professional service and we work to international standards. ÍSOR employs a team of chemists, geochemists and geologists who have built up specialist expertise in sampling and chemical analysis, above all for the geothermal industry in Iceland.

Chemical analysis of geothermal fluid can indicate the likely temperature in the geothermal system concerned, and support risk assessment for scaling and corrosion. Chemical analysis can also give an idea of boiling processes, fluid flow paths and the origin of the geothermal fluid.

Active chemical monitoring of geothermal and groundwater systems is essential if the sustainable use of the resources is to be assured.

ÍSOR's chemical analyses serve

• the geothermal industry
• district-heating utilities
• water utilities
• land-based aquaculture
• environmental and pollution studies
• the pharmaceutical industry

ÍSOR's laboratory is specially equipped for the analysis of

• geothermal water
• cold water (drinking water, groundwater and surface water)
• geothermal gas and steam
• tracers in water and steam
• drill cuttings
• scaling and corrosion products
• rock
• the crystal structure of pharmaceutical substances

Analytical instruments

ÍSOR's laboratory is equipped with advanced instruments for chemical analysis. ÍSOR also works closely with other laboratories in Iceland and abroad on instrumentation and contract analyses, for example for trace elements, nutrients and organic substances in water, and also isotopes (such as 2H, 13C and 18O).

• An inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP-OES) determines metals and semi-metals in aqueous solution (such as Si, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, B, Mn and Al).
• A spectrophotometer is used to determine SiO2, NH3 and other substances.
• Ion chromatography (IC) is used to measure anions in water (F, Cl, Br, I, SO4, NO3).
• Gas chromatography with a thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD) determines the quantity of gases in samples from geothermal fields, chiefly N2, H2, O2, Ar, CH4, CO2 and H2S.
• Gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD) determines the quantity of fluorine-bearing gases (SF6, PFC) used as steam tracers in geothermal fields.
• Liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD) is used to determine the fluorescent naphthalene compounds used in tracer tests.
• A fluorometer is used to determine fluorescent substances such as fluorescein and rhodamine, chiefly in connection with tracer tests and flow measurements.
• X-ray diffraction (XRD). For determining the crystal structure of solids, for example scaling in pipe systems, minerals in rock, clay in cuttings from boreholes, corrosion products and much else.
• A scanning electron microscope (SEM) examines and determines the structure and composition of scaling and other solids. The instrument is located at Tæknisetur.
• In addition there are titrators, conductivity and pH meters and other smaller analytical instruments.
• ÍSOR's laboratory also has a specially equipped sampling vehicle carrying all the equipment needed for sampling geothermal fluid and groundwater.

Quality requirements

We want to ensure careful working practices and professionalism in all our services, whether in sampling or in chemical analysis. ÍSOR's laboratory is not accredited to the laboratory standard ISO-17025, but its requirements are used as a guide. The laboratory works under a certified quality management system in accordance with ISO-9001:2015.