The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
1325 Williams Hall
Campus Box 7619
100 Derieux Street
Raleigh, NC 27695-7619
Fax: 919-515-2167
Dr. Joshua Heitman, Science Advisor
919-513-1593
josh_heitman@ncsu.edu
Adam Howard, Lab Manager
3410 Williams Hall
919-515-1456
adam_howard@ncsu.edu
Purpose
The Soil Physical Properties Laboratory analyzes samples for research projects from North Carolina State University, as well as from projects at other universities, the private sector, and governmental agencies.
The Laboratory is designed to perform particle size analysis, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and water retention analysis of soil.
Particle size is determined by the Hydrometer Method.
Soil water retention analysis can be run for pressures ranging from -0.3 to -15 bars for disturbed samples,and from 0 to -0.3 bars for intact cores.
Sample Submittal
All analyses are requested using an Analysis Request Form.
Contact the laboratory manager or supervisor to discuss the nature of your request before submitting an Analysis Request Form.
Analysis and laboratory use is on a first come first-serve basis.
Charges for Soil Analysis for university submissions:
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity
Cost per sample $55.00 – 8 sample minimum*
Particle Size Analysis by Hydrometer Method
Cost per sample $14.89 – 10 sample minimum*
Soil Water Retention Analysis
Water Retention (Low Pressure) – $55.00 per sample – 7 sample minimum*
Water Retention (High Pressure) – $55.00 per sample – 7 sample minimum*
Soils High in Organic Matter
If the organic matter (OM) content of the soil is greater than 5%, removal of OM before particle size analysis should be considered.
OM removal using H2O2 is available for an additional charge.
Other Fees
All samples incur a $0.80 sample handling fee. Samples needing to be ground and sieved will incur a nominal fee.
Non-university clients will be charged higher rates. Please contact us for details.
*Note: Sample minimums will be enforced if the client requires the analysis be initiated immediately. If less than the minimum is submitted or requested, samples will either be held until the minimum is reached in combination with other clients, or the submitter may pay for the equivalent of the sample minimum.
Please contact the lab manager if you have any questions.
Other Analyses
The NCSU Environmental and Agricultural Testing Service laboratory performs many other chemical analyses that may be of interest to you.
Acknowledgement Statement for User Publications
Publications that include results obtained at the Environmental and Agricultural Testing Service laboratory should acknowledge our service center with the following statement:
This work was performed in part at the Environmental and Agricultural Testing Service Laboratory (EATS), Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, at North Carolina State University.