Head of Laboratory – PhD in Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Agronomy Field – Senior Researcher (Grade I)

Dr. Nicoleta VRÎNCEANU
Email: nicoleta.vrinceanu@icpa.ro
Phone: 021.318.43.49, ext. 134

1. Implementation of new testing methods and methodologies for characterizing residual products regulated by European and national legislation.
2. Harmonization of soil analysis methods with those used at European and international level.
3. Sustainable management of soil and land
   • Assessment of the effects of soil contamination with heavy metals and persistent organic compounds on soil quality and vegetation;
   • Assessment of the effectiveness of land remediation and ecological restoration measures for areas affected by pollution;
   • Development and use of new environmentally friendly technologies or technological components for preserving soil quality.
4. Management of agricultural, urban and industrial waste
   • Recovery through composting of residual organic products and their conversion into nutrient resources;
   • Research on harnessing the fertilizing potential of sewage sludge under environmental protection conditions.

What We Offer

• Conducting physico-chemical analyses for the assessment and monitoring of soil quality (chemical and physical indicators and contaminants);
• Conducting physico-chemical analyses to assess the quality of residual organic products: municipal sludge, manure, compost, semi-liquid effluents (nutrient content – N, P, K, organic matter, and contaminants – metals, PCB, PAH, AOX);
• Conducting chemical analyses to determine the composition of plant material (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn);
• Preparation of fertilization plans in accordance with the requirements of current legislation;
• Studies on recovery through composting of various residual products from the food industry, agriculture and livestock farming.

The Physico-Chemical Analysis Laboratory for Soil Science, Agrochemistry and Environmental Protection – LAFC has operated since 2018 as an accredited laboratory (accreditation certificate no. LI 1177 with annex), accredited by RENAR, based on a management system implemented in accordance with SR EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018, and carries out testing activities that comply with the requirements of the standard, the client, the RENAR accreditation body, and regulatory authorities.

• C-N-H-S-Cl elemental analyzer (varioMacro Cube) – used for the simultaneous determination of nitrogen, carbon, sulfur and hydrogen in soil samples, plant material, sludge, composts, livestock residues;
• UHPLC chromatograph (Platinum Blue) – used to determine PAH contents in soil samples, composts, sludge;
• Gas chromatograph with ECD detector – used to determine pesticide residues in soil, sludge and compost samples;
• Atomic absorption spectrometer – used to determine metal and metalloid contents in soil samples, plant material, composts, sludge;
• Laboratory facilities for sample preparation in order to perform chemical determinations for soil samples, plant material, sludge, composts:
  • Obtaining extracts for the determination of organic compounds (rotavapor);
  • Obtaining extracts for the determination of metals (microwave digestion systems);
• System for determining nitrogen content by the Kjeldahl method in soil samples, plant material, composts, sludge, residual products.

Services Provided by the Laboratory

The Laboratory for Physico-Chemical Analyses for Soil Science, Agrochemistry and Environmental Protection – LAFC performs the following types of laboratory tests:

• Accredited laboratory tests for soil/sludge/plant material matrices, in accordance with Accreditation Certificate No. LI 1177, accompanied by Annex 1 https://www.renar.ro/index.php/oec/get_oec_details/44118. You can find the order form for the analysis of soil/sludge/plant material samples under accredited conditions here and you can send it to the following email address: office@icpa.ro
• Non-accredited laboratory tests for soil/sludge/compost/residual products/plant material/water matrices; you can find the order form for this type of tests here and you can send it to the following email address: office@icpa.ro

The laboratory analysis price list is provided below: