Total organic carbon (TOC) measurement

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 monitoring 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 assay

TOC corresponds to the total amount of carbon of organic origin present in a sample, whether dissolved or in suspension.

The measurement is carried out according to 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 powerful chemical agent, then quantified.

These methods guarantee reliable and reproducible results, allowing for rapid assessment of the quality of an aqueous environment.

Applications of TOC assay

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 pollution control and drinking water treatment processes.
• The agri-food industry : verification of process water quality 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 COT analysis

The measurement of total organic carbon is particularly relevant in:

• The environment and water management
• The chemical and pharmaceutical industry
• The agri-food industry
• Cosmetics and nutraceuticals
• Research laboratories

Typically analyzed matrices

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

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

Regulatory and quality issues

Total organic carbon (TOC) measurement addresses major challenges for industrial and water management companies:

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

YesWeLab support for your COT analyses

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

With our digital platform, you benefit from:

• A simplified online submission of your samples
• Real-time monitoring of your analyses
• Reliable and fast results , compliant with regulatory standards

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

Related analyses

• Measurement of chemical oxygen demand (COD)
• Nitrate and nitrite levels
• Determination of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (NKT)
• Total phosphorus analysis
• Heavy metal levels in water
• Analysis of turbidity and suspended solids (SS)
• Analysis of water conductivity