The spectrophotometry section includes the areas of spectrophotometry, colourimetry and volumetry. All the techniques have been validated with respect to certified reference materials and interlaboratory exercises.

Spectrophotometry is the area where the equipments for the determination of the majority of the cations and for heavy metals are placed.

We have equipments of high technology, completely automated, fast and sensitive, such as ICP-OES and ICP-MS. These equipments are able to determine simultaneously nearly all the chemical elements of the periodic table in all matrixes; and with a time period of about 1 minute it allows to reduce the detection limits under the habitual ones of other laboratories.

For the mercury determination we use a Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrophotometer (CV-AFS) which actually is the best equipment for the detection for this polluting metal.

In the area of the colourimetry techniques based on colourimetric reactions are realised and which are quantified by means of ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-VIS).

We have the latest double beam spectrophotometers, which include an automated sampler to perform many samples in a short time.

This allows to perform the analyses at the same day of the entrance of the samples. This facilitates an immediate taking of decisions with those parameters that give relevant information of the evaluation of the potability of domestic water (nitrites, ammonium, chlorine).

At the same time other determinations on diverse matrixes are performed, such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and dioxide, ortophosphates, chloramines or speciation of certain metals.

We also have equipments for routine determinations (conductivity, pH, turbidity).

The volumetries are fast techniques with which we obtain a global vision of the physical-chemical characteristics of every type of water. This allows to evade more difficult and complex analyses, when the obtained information excludes a determined use of the problem water.

In this area you can find diverse customary techniques such as electrometry, selective electrode, nefelometry, complexometry, iodometry, etc.