Advanced analysis for soil, plant and water research
The Agricultural and Environmental Testing Core (AET Core) is a research-focused analytical laboratory that provides inorganic chemical analysis to support agricultural and environmental research at Ohio State and beyond. If you’re planning a project that needs inorganic soil, plant, or water analysis, the AET Core is available to help you shape and support your analytical strategy.
What we do
- Deliver high-quality inorganic analysis for soil, plant, and water samples.
- Serve as a service lab for Ohio State researchers and collaborators, with priority for Ohio State–affiliated projects.
- Support external academic and research partners as capacity allows.
- Emphasize accuracy, precision, and efficient data delivery, including electronic data transfer for seamless integration into your workflows.
- Partner with investigators to design or adapt analytical methods that align with project goals and our instrumentation.
Our equipment
Agilent 5110 ICP-OES
Manufacturer
Agilent Technologies
5301 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Related Analysis Performed
Elemental concentration on liquid samples, soil extracts, and digested plant/animal tissues, soil and compost samples.
Dionex Liquid Ion Chromatograph 
Dionex ICS-1600
Installed April, 2015
Manufacturer
Dionex
ThermoFisher Scientific1400 Northpoint Parkway
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Related Analysis Performed
Anion analysis of water samples and various extracts
Detection Limits
Ion ug/ml
F <0.027
Cl <0.018
NO2-N <0.022
Br <0.026
NO3-N <0.106
PO4-P <0.066
SO4-S <0.046
Skalar SAN++Classic Segmented Flow Analyzer

Manufacturer
HQ – Skalar Analytical B.V.Tinstraat 12
4823 AA Breda
The Netherlands
+31 76 548 6486
info@skalar.com
Related Analysis Performed
Water samples and soil extracts for phosphate, nitrate and ammonia
Carbon-Nitrogen
VARIO Max Cube Carbon – Nitrogen Analyzer
Installed May, 2016
Manufacturer
Elementar Americas
520 Fellowship Road
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Microwave Digestion System
CEM Microwave Digestion System
MARS 6.0
Manufacturer
CEM Corporation
3100 Smith Farm Road
Matthews, NC 28106
Nitric acid digestion of water, plant tissue, soil samples and compost samples
Related Analysis Performed
EPA Method 3015
EPA Method 3051
HACH Auto-Titration Unit
Easy Plus Titrator
Related Analysis Performed
Soil pH and Selective Ion Meter
Manufacturer
Orion now Thermo-Scientific
Related Analysis Performed
- pH and Lime Test Index on soil samples
- Soil Nitrate analysis (water extractions)
And:
Extraction apparatus for acid & neutral detergent fiber content analyses
Drying oven & muffle furnace
Soil grinder/screen with dust collector
Plant tissue grinder