Analytical Chemistry
Performs wet chemistry, spectrometric and chromatographic analysis of water, soil, food and materials samples, including metals by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, nutrients by discrete analyser, hydrocarbons by gas chromatography and general chemistry such as pH, conductivity and alkalinity. Chemists prepare solutions, run calibrations and quality control and interpret data before release.
What the team is accountable for
- Prepare and standardise reagents, standards and calibration solutions
- Operate and maintain spectrometric and chromatographic instruments
- Run quality control samples with every analytical batch
- Process, review and interpret analytical data
- Investigate out of control results and instrument faults
How we know it is working
Who works here
Priya Venkatesan
An analytical chemist who manages the instrument suite, authorises chemistry reports and has led the section for five years.
Jasper Nguyen
Runs the inductively coupled plasma spectrometer and metals digestion bench and reviews batch quality control, after joining as a trainee in 2019.
Where the work is recorded
Sample Register
The laboratory information register of every sample received, its matrix, tests, storage, holding time and progress from receipt to reported.
Equipment and Calibration Register
Lists every item of measuring and testing equipment with its calibration interval, last and next calibration, verification checks and service status.
Nonconformance and Corrective Action Register
Records every nonconformance, out of control result, deviation, complaint and audit finding with its evaluation, root cause, corrective action and closure.
Assessment tasks in this department
Prepare and analyse the service station soil metals batch
You are a laboratory technician in Analytical Chemistry.
AdvancedInvestigate the copper spike recovery failure
You are a senior technician in Analytical Chemistry acting as the nonconformance investigator.
AdvancedReview and authorise the Kiama treatment plant licence report
You are the acting authorised signatory for general chemistry.
Documents the scenarios use
- Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment Template Template
- Equipment Calibration, Verification and Maintenance Procedure Procedure
- Hazardous Chemicals Register Register
- Impartiality and Confidentiality Policy Policy
- Nonconforming Work, Corrective Action and Complaints Procedure Procedure
- Quality Policy and Quality System Overview Policy
- Results Review, Authorisation and Reporting Procedure Procedure