Laboratories

The Reston Microbiology Laboratory (RML) is a research and fee-for-service laboratory in the USGS Geology, Energy and Minerals Science Center (GEMSC). The lab conducts research in the fields of microbial ecology, geomicrobiology, biogeochemistry, and the hydrologic sciences.

The Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory (RBPGL) research team conducts long-term investigations on the fate and geochemical effects of organic contaminants in surface and subsurface environments.

The Reston Electron Microbeam Laboratory is a multi-user facility that maintains and operates state-of-the art electron beam instruments to image and analyze micro-nanoscale properties. Lab staff along with providing instruction in the operation of microbeam instrumentation to lab users also conduct microbeam research on a variety of geologic topics.

The Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory is part of the USGS Oil and Gas Waters Project. It performs inorganic analysis of produced waters for geochemical fingerprinting and interpretation, environmental and human health impacts (e.g., disposal, reuse), and understanding potential mineral commodities. The BRInE lab is USGS Quality Management System compliant.

The Eastern Energy and Environmental Laboratory (EEEL) works on a variety of projects related to the environmental and human health effects of energy resource extraction and use, and microbial processes linked to oil and gas production. EEEL is located in the USGS National Center in Reston, Virginia, but collaborates with both domestic and international cooperators