Determination of polycyclic aromatic compounds in lake sediments

The scientific authority is leading studies on the deposition of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in lake sediments under the Joint Oil Sands Monitoring Program. In this program sediment cores have been collected from 6 lakes in the oil sands region in 2014 which need to be analysed for PACs. Previous work under the same program has involved analysis of PACs in cores from18 lakes in the region. As a result of this previous work the analytical methodology is well defined as is the list of analytes and therefore compatibility with previous work is essential.

We are seeking an outside laboratory to conduct the analyses of PACs in the sediment samples. The contracted laboratory would be required to demonstrate that it has the necessary experience and instrumentation to conduct the analysis and that it can meet rigorous quality assurance criteria including low laboratory blank contamination, consistency of performance in the analysis of certified reference materials, and evidence of contributions to scientific publications on mercury isotope ratios in sediments.