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We recently updated our Standard method and Application guide to include more filter recommendations for environmental analysis applications. These additions include topics such as the EPA method for extracting oil and grease from water and the Field Leach Test method from the United States Geological Survey. New methods are in addition to our existing collection of procedures which includes topics like air sampling, bacteria counting, and silt density index. The product recommendations that we provide with the methods are based on the requirements set forth by the procedure, as well as input from customers and suppliers. Check out the updated Standard Method & Application Guide

Sterlitech is now carrying Dow FilmTec flat sheet membranes for reverse osmosis and nanofiltration separations. These high-performance membranes are available in Sepa CF, CF042, or HP4750 sizes, or as 12 x 12 inch sheets. The FilmTec line of spiral wound membranes was created by the experts at Dow Water & Process Solutions for industrial, municipal and commercial water applications. While they have often been used for large industrial processes like power generation and semiconductor plants, with our precut sizes it is easier than ever to implement these membranes for laboratory scale testing with a membrane test cell. For information on how to best utilize each membrane type, consult our application tab for recommended uses on each designation.

*This is a guest post written by our supplier, Benchmark Scientific. If you are interested in contributing a piece for our readership, send us an email and we'll follow up.*

Until quite recently, dry baths (sometimes referred to as “incubators” or “block heaters”) were very simple heating machines that would allow users to have marginal control over temperature of samples. With the advent of the digital age and the integration of the microchip into laboratory equipment, this temperature control has become much more accurate and the units have become easier to use. Currently there are a few different models of dry baths out on the market and here is a general summary of some of them: Analog Dry Baths: analog dry baths are the original dry baths available to laboratory personnel. These feature knobs with periodic markings from 0 to 9. The user would turn the knob to increase temperature. It is vital that a thermometer is used with this kind of dry bath as it is difficult to know, except

Here’s a cool infographic on water challenges in the 21st century, courtesy of the Waterblog by Suez Environment and the World Water Forum. Fair warning: There are some alarming projections here about clean water shortages. That sort of thing might make you a little sad on this lovely Monday, so here’s a link to some adorable animal videos that you can clear your mind with afterward. Among the many interesting statistics (It takes 11,000 liters of water to make 1 pair of jeans!) is the note that 2% of fresh water is expected to be produced by desalination by 2015. It seems like every other day we’re hearing about a big new desalination facility opening up somewhere in the world, or an advancement that improves the desalination process. One such advancement whose popularity is growing is forward osmosis (FO) for desalination. In short, forward osmosis utilizes natural osmotic pressure to aid in water treatment, therefore requiring less energy and hydraulic pressure. Forward osmosis can also

We’re expanding our Laboratory Equipment section with the addition of the Scilogex line of products. This new gear can be found among the Mini Centrifuges, Hotplates/Stirrers, and Shakers. We also made a new category to accommodate their collection of Overhead Stirrers.

The Scilogex products complement our existing lineup by providing a premium option to accomplish a variety of common lab functions. The new items incorporate features like digital displays to make these everyday tasks a snap. For instance, the new Orbital Shakers have an RS232 interface so they can be controlled through a PC, and Scilogex models of Mini Centrifuges include bio-safe rotors and cooling systems. Take a look at the brochures provided on the different category pages for detailed information on each the new models!

Marine biology and Oceanography organizations have long used a variety of filter media to assist with their research. While the ways in which filtration supplies can be used are as diverse as the life forms that live under the waves, here we highlight a couple of these applications that have previously been mentioned in published papers to give you an idea about some ways filters can be purposed in marine research.

In a study on mercury content of the ocean area between Antarctica and Tasmania, researchers from the Ifremer Institute used the 0.2 Micron, 47 mm polycarbonate membrane filters to filter samples of seawater and brine prior to determining their mercury content through atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. The PCTE membranes were used in conjunction with Sartorius filtration devices and a Nalgene vacuum pump to attain filtered water in volumes between 100 and 1000 mL. By applying this filtration setup the researchers were able to find patterns in how mercury travels the ocean.

Another

An especially pungent use for glass fiber filters is described in the latest issue of the Soil Science Society of America Journal. In the paper, “Influence of Dissolved Carbon and Nitrogen on Mineralization of Dilute Liquid Dairy Manure” two scientists from the University of California examined the wastewater used to flush dairy cow waste for the presence of these elements. On dairy farms in which the milk cows are confined, water is used to flush away the manure and is then stored in lagoons to be treated for coarse solids before being re-applied to crop fields through irrigation. Refuse reuse if you will. One problem with this procedure is that if there is too much dissolved Carbon or Nitrogen in the wastewater it can create groundwater contamination. For this study, the researchers collected wastewater samples from seven lagoons and analyzed them in order to investigate the relationship between the starting levels of Nitrogen and Carbon and the wastewater’s mineralization behavior. Their