Address 9960-67 Avenue NW, Edmonton,
Alberta Canada, T6E 0P5
Phone No. (780) 450-3957

Soil Testing in Alberta & Across Canada

Soil testing provides analytical information that can help environmental consultants, industrial facilities, landowners, agricultural operations and project teams evaluate soil chemistry, contamination, nutrients, microbiological activity and other site-specific conditions.

PBR Laboratories provides soil testing support from Edmonton for projects throughout Alberta, Western Canada and Canada. Depending on the site, material and decision being made, testing may include: soil chemistry, pH and electrical conductivity, nutrients, salinity and sodicity indicators, metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, glycols and alcohols, environmental microbiology, and selected agricultural soil parameters.

The appropriate testing program depends on the site history, soil matrix, suspected contaminants, sampling plan and decision the results need to support.

Request a Quote Ask About Sample Requirements Speak With PBR About Your Soil Matrix
Soil Testing Services Canada - PBR Laboratories
Strategic Analysis

Why Soil Testing Matters

Soil testing measures selected chemical, microbiological or compositional characteristics of a submitted soil sample. Results help answer critical questions:

Is there evidence of environmental contamination?

Evaluate petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, industrial contaminants, and selected microbiology parameters based on site history.

What are the soil's pH, salinity or nutrient characteristics?

Measure electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur to determine soil chemical condition.

Are petroleum hydrocarbons or metals elevated?

Identify concentrations in the submitted sample to compare against provincial or federal regulatory guidelines and site criteria.

Could microbiological activity be relevant?

Evaluate biodegradation, bioremediation potential, and environmental microbial populations involved in site restoration.

Does additional sampling need to be completed?

A single laboratory result applies to the submitted sample. Proper sample planning ensures representativeness for broader site-level decisions.

Partners in Land Stewardship

WHO NEEDS SOIL TESTING?

PBR supports organizations across various sectors requiring analytical soil data:

Environmental Consultants

Support contaminated-site assessments, remediation verification, baseline studies, and environmental monitoring programs.

Oil, Gas & Industrial Sites

Evaluate operational releases, accidental spills, baseline conditions, and ongoing industrial compliance programs.

Land Developers & Construction

Investigate historical land use, verify fill soil suitability, and manage environmental risk before construction.

Agricultural Producers

Analyze soil pH, electrical conductivity, nutrient characteristics, and soluble salts for agricultural land management.

Remediation & Reclamation Teams

Track soil chemical recovery, assess biodegradation, and verify clean-up success to meet regulatory criteria.

Landowners & Managers

Evaluate overall soil condition, assess baseline parameters, and identify potential historical contamination concerns.

Analytical Services

SOIL TESTING SERVICES

Comprehensive soil analysis and laboratory testing programs tailored to your environmental, agricultural, or industrial requirements.

Soil Chemistry Testing

Soil Chemistry Testing

What Is Soil Chemistry Testing?

Soil chemistry testing characterizes the basic chemical properties of a soil sample to support land management, reclamation, and site monitoring decisions.

Common Services
Basic Indicators
pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Alkalinity
Salinity & Exchange
Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Major Anions and Cations
Decisions Supported
  • Soil salinity/sodicity characterization
  • Site reclamation tracking
  • Agricultural suitability evaluation
  • Baseline chemical profiling
Soil Chemistry Testing Details
Environmental Soil Contamination Testing

Soil Contamination Testing

What Is Contamination Testing?

Environmental contamination testing evaluates soil for potential impacts from industrial operations, releases, spills, or historical activities.

Common Services
Key Analyses
Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Heavy Metals, Selected Organic Compounds, Industrial Contaminants
Integrations
Soil Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Related Water/Groundwater testing
Decisions Supported
  • Contaminated site assessments
  • Spill/release investigation
  • Remediation planning
  • Regulatory criteria comparison
Contamination Testing Details
Soil Microbiology Testing

Soil Microbiology Testing

What Is Soil Microbiology Testing?

Soil microbiology testing evaluates soil microbial populations and their activity relevant to environmental systems and bioremediation investigations.

Common Services
Microbial Groups
Heterotrophic Aerobic Bacteria, Iron-Related Bacteria, Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria, Nitrifying/Denitrifying Bacteria
Activity Panels
Acid-Producing Bacteria, Slime-Forming Organisms, Hydrocarbon-Utilizing Bacteria, Bacterial Activity Response Tests
Decisions Supported
  • Bioremediation potential evaluation
  • Biodegradation tracking
  • Hydrocarbon contamination studies
  • Microbial activity monitoring
Soil Microbiology Details
Petroleum Hydrocarbon Testing in Soil

Petroleum Hydrocarbon Testing

What Is Petroleum Hydrocarbon Testing?

Petroleum hydrocarbon testing evaluates soil samples for impacts from fuels, oils, or other refined petroleum products.

Common Services
Analysis Options
PHC Fractionation (F1-F4), BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylenes), Volatile Hydrocarbons, Semi-Volatile Hydrocarbons
Decisions Supported
  • Fuel/oil release assessment
  • Contaminated site delineation
  • Remediation design support
  • Regulatory guidelines validation
PHC Testing Details
Metals Testing in Soil

Metals Testing in Soil

What Is Metals Testing in Soil?

Metals testing measures elemental concentrations in soil to support environmental investigations, baseline characterization, and agricultural/industrial applications.

Common Services
Elemental Scans
Heavy Metals, Trace Elements, Regulated Metals (Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury), Custom Element Lists
Decisions Supported
  • Contamination presence evaluation
  • Background level comparison
  • Historical site impact assessments
  • Remediation tracking
Metals Testing Details
Agricultural Soil & Nutrient Testing

Agricultural Soil & Nutrient Testing

What Is Agricultural Soil Testing?

Agricultural soil testing provides analytical data about soil parameters relevant to crop performance and land management decisions.

Common Services
Nutrients & Parameters
Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Total Potassium, Total Sulfur, pH, Soluble Salts, Organic Matter
Decisions Supported
  • Soil nutrient baseline assessment
  • Acidity or alkalinity management
  • Salinity/sodicity profiling
  • Soil chemical condition tracking
Agricultural Testing Details

COMMON SOIL ISSUES PBR HELPS MANAGE

Industrial Spills & Releases

Identify and quantify hydrocarbons, glycols, and other industrial parameters post-release.

Metal Contamination

Measure heavy metals in soil to verify compliance with environmental limits and protect site health.

Salinity & Sodicity Risks

Identify elevated electrical conductivity or sodium adsorption ratios affecting soil structural quality.

Nutrient Spoilage & Depletion

Verify overall nutrient presence (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur) for land management.

Non-Representative Sampling

Overcome incorrect sampling methods by utilizing PBR's sample guidance before collections.

Regulatory Non-Compliance

Ensure your analytical data supports environmental protection and land development approval requirements.

The PBR Difference

WHY CHOOSE PBR FOR SOIL TESTING?

Understand Results

We help you interpret what your soil chemical, physical, and microbiological data actually means.

Practical Laboratory Support

Receive clear guidance on sample volume, preservation containers, and matrix suitability before sampling.

Support Compliance Objectives

Testing programs designed to align with provincial and federal environmental quality guidelines.

Regional Accessibility

Convenient sample drop-off and shipping support from Edmonton for projects across Western Canada.

Decision-Focused Reporting

Results reported clearly to support your consultant, agricultural, or operational next steps.

Got Questions?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What soil testing does PBR provide?

PBR supports soil chemistry, environmental contamination testing, petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, environmental microbiology, agricultural soil chemistry, and nutrient analysis.

Does PBR test contaminated soil?

Yes. PBR supports environmental soil testing for petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other industrial parameters to investigate site releases or spills.

Can PBR test soil for petroleum hydrocarbons?

Yes. PBR's soil capabilities include petroleum hydrocarbons (F1-F4 fractions) and BTEX testing based on suspected contaminant parameters.

Can PBR test soil for heavy metals?

Yes. PBR provides elemental metals testing to measure trace elements and regulated heavy metals against provincial environmental criteria.

Does PBR perform soil microbiology testing?

Yes. PBR analyzes environmental microbial groups, nitrifying/denitrifying bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and slime-forming organisms to support biodegradation studies.

Can PBR test agricultural soil?

Yes. PBR's documented capabilities include agricultural soil parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur), sodium adsorption ratio, and major ions.

What is the difference between salinity and sodicity?

Salinity is associated with soluble salts (measured via electrical conductivity), while sodicity is associated with sodium relative to calcium and magnesium (measured via sodium adsorption ratio).

Does PBR provide geotechnical soil testing?

PBR provides environmental, chemical, and microbiological soil testing. We do not establish geotechnical engineering services (such as bearing-capacity or Atterberg-limit tests).

RELATED SERVICES

Soil Chemistry Testing Environmental Soil Contamination Testing Soil Microbiology Testing Petroleum Hydrocarbon Testing in Soil Metals Testing in Soil Agricultural Soil & Nutrient Testing

RELATED RESOURCES

Need Soil Testing Support?

PBR Laboratories provides soil testing services for environmental consultants, oil & gas operators, industrial facilities, construction developers, remediation project teams, and agricultural producers throughout Alberta, Western Canada, and Canada.

Contact PBR to discuss environmental sample requirements, soil chemistry parameters, regulatory guidelines, testing timelines, and operational needs.

Choose PBR – Because Precision Matters, Defining Excellence in Laboratory Services Since 1984.
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