A total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer can determine the amount of carbon in a water sample. Samples are first acidified and sparged to remove inorganic carbon, leaving only organic carbon sources formeasurement.

The remaining carbon is converted via oxidation to carbon dioxide, which is detected and measured. The Shimadzu TOC-L Analyzer at GGC is equipped with an autosampler and a TNM-L Nitrogen Unit for total nitrogen analysis.

TOC analysis is frequently used to assess environmental conditions, including water quality, and as a process control in the pharmaceutical industry.