Total organic carbon (TOC) determination

Total organic carbon (TOC) is an essential analytical parameter for assessing the content of organic compounds present in a liquid sample. Its measurement is commonly used in environmental analyses , particularly for the monitoring of wastewater , industrial water and surface water .

This indicator reflects the level of organic pollution and makes it possible to determine the load of biodegradable or non-biodegradable organic matter in an effluent.

Principle of TOC dosage

TOC is the total amount of organic carbon present in a sample, whether dissolved or suspended.

The measurement is carried out using two main approaches:

• High temperature catalytic combustion : the sample is oxidized and the CO₂ produced is measured by infrared detection.
• Wet chemical oxidation : Organic compounds are oxidized by a strong chemical agent and then quantified.

These methods guarantee reliable and reproducible results, allowing the quality of an aqueous medium to be quickly assessed.

Applications of TOC Dosage

Total organic carbon analysis is a reference tool in:

• Environmental monitoring : control of domestic and industrial wastewater discharges.
• Water treatment : evaluation of the effectiveness of decontamination and drinking water treatment processes.
• The food industry : verification of the quality of process water and detection of organic contamination.
• Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics : control of the purity of water used in manufacturing.
• Scientific research : characterization of biogeochemical cycles and environmental impacts.

Sectors covered by the TOC analysis

The dosage of total organic carbon is particularly relevant in:

• Environment and water management
• The chemical and pharmaceutical industry
• Agri-food
• Cosmetics and nutraceuticals
• Research laboratories

Typically analyzed matrices

TOC can be measured in many types of aqueous samples, including:

• Domestic and industrial wastewater
• Surface water (rivers, lakes, groundwater)
• Sea water and port effluents
• Process water in the food and pharmaceutical industries
• Cooling water and closed circuits
• Purified and ultrapure water

Regulatory and quality issues

TOC measurement addresses major challenges for industrialists and water managers:

• Regulatory compliance : comply with national and European standards regarding effluent discharges.
• Health safety : guarantee the quality of water intended for consumption or industrial use.
• Environmental monitoring : preventing the impacts of organic pollution on aquatic ecosystems.
• Process optimization : adjust decontamination treatments according to the actual organic load.

YesWeLab support for your TOC analyses

YesWeLab provides its network of partner laboratories , accredited and certified (ISO 17025, COFRAC), specializing in environmental and industrial analyses.

With our digital platform, you benefit from:

• Simplified online submission of your samples
• Real-time monitoring of your analyses
• Reliable and rapid results , compliant with regulatory standards

Our scientific team will assist you in selecting the analytical methods best suited to your samples and your objectives.

Related analyses

• Measurement of chemical oxygen demand (COD)
• Nitrate and nitrite determination
• Determination of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (NKT)
• Total phosphorus analysis
• Determination of heavy metals in water
• Turbidity and suspended solids (SS) analysis
• Water conductivity analysis