ASPAC Workshop at Southern Cross University, Brisbane 2025
Our Senior Chemists, Hasitha and Chamansha, recently participated in the Australasian Soil & Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) Workshop, held from 15th to 17th October 2025 at Southern Cross University in Brisbane. As part of the program, we travelled to the university’s Lismore campus to visit the commercial laboratories operated by the university, including both the Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL) and the Analytical Research Laboratory (ARL).
Laboratory Visits: Modern Instrumentation & Workflow
During our visit to EAL and ARL, we gained valuable exposure to cutting‑edge analytical instrumentation, laboratory layouts, and workflow management practices. The EAL team operates NATA‑accredited services for soil, plant, compost and related testing, including ICP‑OES/MS analysis for mineral and heavy-metal content. The ARL team supports phytochemical, medicinal‑plant and natural‑product analyses, working closely with both research and commercial clients.
These visits enabled us to see how sample throughput, quality assurance and method validation are executed in a live commercial‑research environment — insights that we (at OptiSoil) can translate into improved workflows and analytical support for Australian agriculture.
Workshop Content: In‑Depth, Interactive & Applied
The workshop was highly informative and interactive, with sessions led by leading professionals in the field of soil and plant analysis. Topics included:
- Analytical methods for soil and plant tissue - including sample preparation, digestion and instrumental analysis.
- ASPAC proficiency testing and certification processes - helping ensure laboratories meet recognised standards in accuracy and comparability.
- Updates in laboratory best‑practice - covering method verification, validation, workflow optimisation and interpreting the results in an agronomic context.
- Quality‑Control (QC) practices - including how to monitor laboratory performance, track method stability over time, and make actionable decisions based on QC data.
These sessions were particularly relevant for us at OptiSoil, given our focus on providing robust actionable soil‑science support to agriculture and environmental conservation.
Technical Challenge: Improving Low‑Concentration Sensitivity
One of the key highlights of the workshop was the discussion around addressing low‑sensitivity issues for Colwell potassium (K) and sulphur (S) analysis using ICP instrumentation. After consulting with a prominent ICP analyst during the sessions, we trialled modifications to the spray‑chamber setup within our own laboratory.
These refinements have now been implemented across our analytical processes at OptiSoil, resulting in noticeably improved sensitivity and precision at low concentration levels. Applying these updates directly into our workflows demonstrates how professional collaboration and ongoing technical development translate into tangible improvements for our clients.
Networking & Knowledge Exchange
Beyond the formal sessions, the workshop provided an excellent platform to share knowledge and exchange experiences with peers across different laboratories. The environment encouraged open discussion of challenges, approaches and innovations, which is invaluable in the soil‑analysis community where methods and instrumentation evolve rapidly.
Why This Matters for OptiSoil & Australian Agriculture
For us at OptiSoil, attending this workshop reinforces our commitment to providing high‑quality analytical support to Australian agriculture. By staying current with leading laboratory practices, participating in proficiency‑testing frameworks, and refining our instrumentation workflows, we are better placed to support growers, agronomists and environmental professionals with reliable soil and plant analysis.
The modifications to our ICP spray‑chamber setup, based on insights gained at the workshop, have already been implemented in our laboratory. These changes have enhanced our sensitivity for low‑level nutrient detection, a direct outcome of applying shared knowledge into our day‑to‑day operations.
