This method describes the determination of nitrogen, hydrogen, sulfur and total carbon (TC) in homogenised solid samples such as dried sludge, soil, biological waste or sediments, containing more than 1 g analyte per kg of dry matter (0.1% w/w). Therefore, samples are weighed and analysed by NCHS analyser with internal thermal conductivity detector (TCD).
The additional treatment of the samples with hydrochloric acid and thus, the removal of total inorganic carbon (TIC), allows the calculation of total organic carbon (TOC). The concentration of analytes in samples is quantified with an internal calibration (by peak area) and results are reported in g/kg.
