Reliable Carbon Analysis | Precision CHNS & TOC Analyzers for Labs

The Key to Accuracy & Sustainability

Why Carbon Analysis Matters

Carbon is at the center of today’s climate action strategies across industries. Accurate carbon measurement in soil, biochar, and biomass is essential to

Monitor CO₂ storage and support carbon credit validation
Ensure regulatory compliance and transparency
Optimize production processes and improve efficiency
Enable reliable carbon accounting for sustainable business decisions

Whether assessing soil health for sustainable farming, verifying biochar’s role in carbon sequestration, or ensuring accurate carbon credit calculations, precise data is the key to making informed decisions.

Find out what your lab needs for better results.

Understanding Carbon:
Explore the Key Parameters in Soil & Biochar Characterization

C/N ratio

The C/N ratio in soil is the ratio of carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) in organic matter, indicating decomposition rates and nutrient availability. A balanced ratio (typically 10:1 to 12:1) supports microbial activity and efficient nutrient cycling.

Carbon fractions: TOC, ROC, and TIC

Carbon fractions determine the stability, reactivity, and environmental benefits of soil and biochar in carbon sequestration and soil health improvement.

TOC (Total Organic Carbon):

The total amount of organic carbon in soil includes both decomposed and undecomposed organic matter. It plays a key role in soil fertility, microbial activity, and carbon cycling.
In biochar, TOC is an indicator for its potential for carbon sequestration and soil improvement. Higher TOC suggests greater stability and effectiveness as a soil amendment.

ROC (Residual Oxidizable Carbon):

ROC in soil is the fraction of organic carbon that is easily decomposed and rapidly available for microbial activity and nutrient cycling. It influences soil respiration and short-term carbon dynamics.

In biochar, ROC is fraction of biochar carbon that is more reactive and can be quickly mineralized by microbes. This portion affects the short-term nutrient availability in soil.

TIC (Total Inorganic Carbon):

In soil, TIC is the carbon present in inorganic forms such as carbonates (e.g., calcium carbonate), which contribute to soil alkalinity, buffering capacity, and long-term carbon storage.

In biochar, the inorganic carbon content originates primarily from mineral residues and carbonates, influencing its pH and interaction with soil minerals.

CHNS+O elemental composition

CHNS+O elemental composition refers to the proportion of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O) in a sample. This composition influences soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and the stability of biochar as a soil amendment. In soil, CHNS+O elements affect organic matter dynamics and microbial activity, while in biochar, they determine its chemical properties, stability, and impact on soil health and carbon sequestration.

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the carbon component of soil organic matter, derived from decomposed plant and animal materials. It plays a key role in soil fertility, structure, and carbon sequestration, influencing soil health and climate change mitigation.

Soil Organic Matter (SOM)

Soil organic matter (SOM) is the decomposed and decomposing plant and animal material in soil, including living microorganisms, humus, and organic residues. It improves soil fertility, structure, and water retention while supporting microbial activity and nutrient cycling.

Voices from the Field

What Experts say about Carbon Analysis

See what experts and industry leaders say about the importance of precise carbon analysis for sustainability and efficiency.

Farmers working with chalk soils highly value the precise breakdown of organic vs. inorganic carbon - without complex soil acidification steps.
Frank Gollins, Co-founder and Carbon Market Director at Verdant Carbon

Coastal habitats – including salt marshes, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps – are highly vulnerable to sea level rise and anthropogenic encroachment, risking releasing the carbon stored within, as well as loss of biodiversity and flooding. Knowing how much carbon is stored in these environments therefore gives us more incentive to protect them.
Dr Craig Smeaton, lecturer in physical geography at the University of St Andrews

Measuring the elemental make-up of biochar - specifically carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O) - is crucial because these elements directly influence biochar’s stability, performance, and environmental impact. Each of these elements plays a role in determining how well biochar functions in different applications and how effectively it can help in mitigating CO₂ emissions.
Professor Mauro Giorcelli, Associated Professor at the Department of Applied Sciences and Technology (DISAT) at the Politecnico di Torino, board member of the Italian Biochar Association (ICHAR) and member of the Biochar Europe scientific council

Your Lab. Your Challenges. Our Solutions

What Matters in Reliable Carbon Analysis

Reliable data - confident decisions

Accurate and reproducible carbon analysis ensures trust in your results – because carbon data drives sustainability and compliance.

High throughput - maximum efficiency

Fast and robust analysis solutions to handle large sample volumes – because time is money.

Easy maintenance - maximum uptime

Long maintenance intervals and easy replacement of consumables keep your workflow smooth and efficient.

Intuitive software - smarter workflows

User-friendly operation and seamless integration ensure easy data management and reporting.

Robust & norm-compliant analysis

Trusted, standard-compliant methods ensure quality and reproducibility for every sample type.

Expert knowledge - always accessible

Application expertise, market insights, and continuous support – because knowledge drives innovation.

Reliable Carbon Analysis Starts with the Right Instrument

Laboratories need precise, high-throughput instruments that deliver accurate and reproducible results - ensuring compliance, sustainability, and efficiency. Whether determining carbon fractions (total organic carbon, residual oxidizable carbon, total inorganic carbon) or measuring the CHNOS elemental composition, choosing the right technology makes all the difference.

Our solutions are designed to simplify workflows, reduce maintenance efforts, and provide trusted data for better decision-making. Discover our advanced carbon analysis instruments and find the perfect fit for your laboratory’s needs.

ROC, TC, TIC₉₀₀ , TN, TOC₄₀₀

Organic elemental analyzer

Recommended sample homogeneity

High

Organic elemental analyzer

Recommended sample homogeneity

Low

Organic elemental analyzer

Recommended sample homogeneity

Medium

Organic elemental analyzer

Recommended sample homogeneity

High

Voices from the Field

What our Customers say about our Analyzers

See what experts and industry leaders say about their experience with our analyzers.

Elementar’s soli TOC® cube was referenced in several academic papers we read while reviewing soil carbon analysis, and was highlighted as one of the most accurate ways to measure carbon in samples.
Frank Gollins, Co-founder and Carbon Market Director at Verdant Carbon

Almost all the better papers in our field of research use Elementar systems, so we want to be on this side. Technically for us, the automation was appealing, as we will have thousands of samples to be analyzed for this study.
Gregory Naoki Nishihara, Professor at the Organization for Marine Science and Technology at Nagasaki University

The flexibility of the instrument in measuring both types of carbon from one sample is crucial for our work, and saves a lot of time compared to previous methods. It has been an absolute workhorse since we installed it in 2018, and has basically run non-stop without any issues, which is unheard of for analytical equipment.
Dr Craig Smeaton, Senior Lecturer at the University of St Andrews on his soli TOC® cube

Experience Precision in Action

See Reliable Carbon Analysis in Motion

Discover how the UNICUBE® simplifies carbon analysis and enhances lab efficiency.

Insights & Expertise for Smarter Carbon Analysis

Reliable carbon analysis is more than just precise measurements - it’s about staying informed, optimizing workflows, and making data-driven decisions. Whether you're looking for real-world success stories, in-depth technical insights, or best practices for soil, biochar, and biomass analysis, our expert resources are here to support you.

Explore how leading labs are leveraging advanced carbon analysis for efficiency and sustainability.

Customer Spotlight

Verdant Carbon

Revolutionizing Soil Carbon Analysis

Verdant Carbon is revolutionizing sustainable agriculture with high-precision soil carbon analysis. By accurately distinguishing between organic and inorganic carbon - without complex sample preparation - they provide fast, reliable data for CO₂ certification and regenerative farming.

By utilizing innovative analytical technology, they enhance efficiency, reduce maintenance efforts, and enable precise, climate-smart decision-making.

Learn how Verdant Carbon optimizes soil analysis.

Nagasaki University

Advancing Blue Carbon Research

Nagasaki University is pioneering blue carbon research, using high-precision TOC analysis to measure carbon sequestration in marine ecosystems. Their groundbreaking work provides critical data on CO₂ absorption in seaweed and coastal environments, shaping global climate strategies.

By leveraging advanced TOC analysis, they ensure precise and reliable data, supporting sustainability initiatives and the protection of marine ecosystems.

Discover how Nagasaki University leads blue carbon research.

How Biochar is Transforming Carbon Sequestration & Sustainability

Biochar is emerging as a key technology for carbon removal and sustainable resource management. Understanding its composition and carbon storage potential is essential for lab professionals, researchers, and industry leaders. Discover how advanced carbon analysis ensures precision, compliance, and efficiency in biochar applications.

Explore the future of biochar as a carbon removal technology.

Ready to Improve Your Carbon Analysis?

Accurate carbon measurement is the foundation of reliable carbon credit markets and effective sustainability strategies. However, ensuring precision in carbon quantification - especially in soil, biochar, and biomass - remains a challenge.

This whitepaper explores the critical role of elemental and TOC analysis in verifying carbon sequestration efforts, preventing greenwashing, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Learn how advanced analytical instruments provide the accuracy needed to make data-driven decisions and drive real climate impact.

English

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY

Fill in the form to receive your download link by e-mail.

First name *

Last name *

E-Mail address *

Company *

Country *

By clicking on the "Subscribe" button, I consent to the receipt of personalized newsletters via e-mail by Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH and its group companies companies as well as the evaluation of my user behavior in this regard and - if available - the merging of this data with my data in our customer database.

In order to receive newsletters from our group companies, it is necessary to transfer your above-mentioned personal data to these companies. We point out that these are partly located in so-called unsafe third countries outside the EU/EEA , in which no adequate level of data protection (e.g. by adequacy decision of the EU, Art. 45 GDPR) is guaranteed. In these countries, you may not be able to enforce your rights as a data subject, or only to a limited extent. In addition, it is possible that local government agencies access your data to a disproportionate extent. The transfer of data to these recipients is therefore only legitimized by your consent pursuant to Art. 49 (1) lit. a) GDPR, which you grant with your subscription.

The newsletter can be unsubscribed at any time with effect for the future as well as my consent to the third country transfer can be revoked at any time. A revocation does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out on the basis of the consent until the revocation. For further information, please refer to our privacy policy.

Downloads