Soil Science
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

Department of Soil Science Research Facilities

​​​​​​​​​​​​Soil Science​​ Laboratory:

  • Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer
  • Scanning UV-Vis spectrophotometer
  • pH, EC and redox meters
  • Automated titrators 
  • Centrifuges
  • Waterbaths
  • Ovens and mechanical shakers
  • Vacuum filtration system

  • Porometer 
  • Pressure bomb apparatus 
  • Neutron probes ​​
  • Pressure plate extraction apparatus
  • Wet sieving apparatus for measuring soil aggregate stability
  • ​Modulus of rupture measuring ​device​
  • Various soil moisture sensors
  • Full range of sieves for particle separation
  • Mechanical sieving apparatus
  • Saturated hydraulic conductivity apparatus





Campus Research​ Facilities:

  • ​The following research analytical services are available from the Central Analytical Facility https://www.sun.ac.za/english/research-innovation/caf (Please contact them directly for a quote): Elemental Analysis (CNSH), Anions analysis via ion chromatography (IC), ​X-ray Fluorescence Spectometer (XRF)​, ICP-MS and ICP-AES, mass spectrometry, liquid and solid state NMR spectroscopy, ​DNA-sequencing, CT-Scanner, SEM and AFM microscopes.
  • BET specific surface area and microporosity is available at the Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. 
  • X-ray diffraction (XRD), Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) are available at the Departments of Chemistry and Physics, Faculty of Nature Sciences.
  • Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is available at the Department of Viticulture and Wine Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences.