Laboratory for Urban Water Engineering and Water Quality

Laboratory workstations with laboratory technicianImage: Julian Zinke

The Urban Water Management and Water Quality Laboratory is affiliated to the "Urban Water Management" and "Hydrology and Substance Balance" departments. In the context of current research questions, the laboratory mainly carries out chemical analyses. The samples analyzed are mainly drinking water, water, wastewater and sludge samples. In addition to the work for the above-mentioned specialist areas, all scientists at the University of Kassel are offered the opportunity to analyze samples using the available methods and equipment as a service.
If analytical methods are not routinely carried out, there is the possibility of joint method development for the relevant issue.
With the available equipment and expertise, students are also supported in carrying out project work and final theses with a focus on laboratory technology. Laboratory practicals are also carried out as part of courses.

Laboratory equipment

ICP-OES SPECTROBLUE from SpectroImage: Julian Zinke
ICP-OES SPECTROBLUE from Spectro

A SPECTROBLUE from Spectro is available, equipped with an autosampler (ASX-260) and a hydride system (ASX-260).

This is used for the quantitative determination of metal cations in water, sludge and soil samples.

Cavity ring-down spectroscope L2130-i with A0211 vaporizer from Picarro.Image: Julian Zinke
Cavity ring-down spectroscope L2130-i with A0211 vaporizer from Picarro

A cavity ring-down spectroscope from Picarro is used to determine the stable water isotopes deuterium(2H) and oxygen-18(18O).

TOC device Dimatoc 2000 from DimatecImage: Julian Zinke
TOC device

A DIMATOC® 2000 from Dimatec can be used to determine the total organic carbon (TOC) in water samples and the total nitrogen bound (TNb).

Ion chromatograph Metrohm Compact 761Image: Julian Zinke
Ion chromatograph Metrohm Compact 761

The determination of anions such as fluoride, chloride, bromide and sulphate as well as organic acids is carried out with a Metrohm Compact 761 including dialysis and autosampler.

Flow injection analyzer Lachate QC8500 Ser 2Image: Julian Zinke
Flow injection analyzer Lachate QC8500 Ser 2

A Lachat QC8500 Ser 2 with automatic dilution unit is available for analyzing up to 50 aqueous samples per day for ammonium, nitrate, nitrite and/or phosphate.

The laboratory has several photometers, including a Cary 100 dual-beam photometer with 1 cm cell holder from Agilent. A Hach Lange DR 3900 spectrophotometer is available for analyzing LCK cuvette tests from Hach. Devices for determining turbidity are also available.

Biostat B-DCU system from SartoriusImage: Valerie Liese
Biostat B-DCU system from Sartorius

A Biostat® B-DCU system from Sartorius with a maximum working volume of 3 x 10.5 L can be used to carry out laboratory tests.

Laboratory workstation with stirring platesImage: Julian Zinke
Laboratory workstation with stirring plates
Überkopfschüttler der Firma Lauda
Überkopfschüttler der Firma Lauda

Various stirring plates and shakers are available for tests with permanent sample mixing.

In addition to the equipment mentioned above, the laboratory also has the following equipment:

  • Leica DM 5500 B microscope with optics and fluorescence equipment
  • SI Analytics TL alpha plus and SI Analytics Titronic T500-M2 titrators
  • Laboratory microwave Mars 6 from CEM
  • Centrifuges, including Multifuge X1-R from Thermo Scientifique
  • Various pH meters, conductivity meters and oxygen meters

 

Contact person

Dr. rer. nat. Julian Zinke (laboratory head)

Zinke, Julian
Telephone
+49 561 804-3468
Email
Website
Urban Water Engineering
Location
Gartenstraße 92
34125 Kassel
Room
Altes Betriebsgebäude, 1. Stock, Raum 1170