COMPARISON BETWEEN IGNITION LOSS METHODS FOR DETERMINATION OF ORGANIC-MATTER IN ESTUARINE AND COASTAL MATERIALS

Four usual ignition loss methods are tested for determining organic carbonin estuarine and coastal sedimentary materials using equipament normally found in most laboratories. The DEAN's method has been found to equal or excel the accuracy and precision of other methods tested and has the advantage of being considerably faster if large numbers of samples are to be analysed and to permit the determining carbonate carbon. This method is particularly useful for analysing a samples containing relatively little clay.