Analytical Capabilities, Sample Requirements, and Instrumentation

Hot Topics

• A team of scientists from the USGS and the Agroscope Reckenholz-Tanikon Research Station, Switzerland, found that some mycotoxins are common in U.S. stream waters. (more)
• Measuring POEA, a Surfactant Mixture in Herbicide Formulations. (more)
• Groundwater microbial community composition affected during 30-day exposure to sub mg/L concentrations of the antibiotic, sulfamethoxazole.
  • Two microbial communities from a sandy aquifer, one acclimated historically to wastewater with sulfamethoxazole and the other unacclimated were exposed to in situ 240-520 μg/L sulfamethoxazole using filter chambers suspended ambient groundwater for 30 days. The unacclimated microbial community displayed greater changes in mortality and impairment, sensitivity to sulfamethoxazole, and community composition than the unacclimated microbial community. The study shows that microbial communities can be affected by concentrations 2-3 orders of magnitude less than those used in clinical applications. 

Sample Processing

Samples will be collected using protocols for the collection of pesticide analysis in Shelton, (1994) http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/pnsp/pubs/ofr94-455/sw-t.html

1. Preclean all equipment with a Liquinox/tap-water solution, rinsed with tap water, deonized water, and then methanol, and then air dry.
2. Filter sample water through a 0.7-µm pore-size baked glass-fiber filter after a 100 ml rinse of the filter with sample water, into 125-ml (4 oz) baked amber glass bottles (If filtering is not possible, then it can be done upon request at a rate of $30 persample).
3. Upon collection, all samples will be kept chilled until shipped to the lab.

Shipping Instructions

Label bottles clearly with waterproof marker or preprinted labels (a paper label completely covered with clear packing tape is preferred). Information required on the bottle is shown:

• -Project code:
• -station id
• -stream/well name/location
• -date and time
• -initials of collector
• -lab method code

Example:

Project code:                                     To be assigned by Julie Dietze

station id:                                          Lake Houston North End, Texas

stream/well name/location:               40305060

date and time:                                   5-18-06 @ 1015

initials of collector:                            JD

lab method code:                              LCGY

Bottle Requirements

Method                      Required Bottles                                   

LCPD                          3-4oz (125mL) amber glass with teflon lined caps

LCAB                          3-4oz (125mL) amber glass with teflon lined caps

LCEA                          3-4oz (125mL) amber glass with teflon lined caps

LCGY                          3-4oz (125mL) amber glass with teflon lined caps

IMA                             3-4oz (125mL) amber glass with teflon lined caps

IMB                             3-4oz (125mL) amber glass with teflon lined caps

IMNT/IMND                *1- 8 oz (250mL) HDPE with polypropylene closure

IMYT/IMYD                 *1- 8 oz (250mL) HDPE with polypropylene closure

IMXT/IMXD                 *1- 8 oz (250mL) HDPE with polypropylene closure

Custom Methods        Contact Julie Dietze for bottles requirements

*When submitting samples for total analysis (IMNT, IMYT, and IMXT) only fill the bottles half-way to ensure that they do not break when frozen.

The following information form an ASR is required for transfer from the lab database to NWIS batch files/QWDX.

• USGS station ID
• Phone Number
• E-mail Contact
• User Code
• Project Account Number
• Collection Date
• Collection Time
• Sample Medium Code
• Sample Type

A copy of an ASR may be made and enclosed in a watertight bag if sample is also being sent to NWQL. Please make sure the lab methods and any other information specific to our lab is on the ASR sent to Kansas.

Data can be uploaded to the QWDX site upon request with the exception of immunoassay and soils/solids/bed sediment methods.

Glass bottles to be placed in foam sleeves to help prevent breakage. The bottles from each site will then be placed in a ZIPLOCK-type bag, which will help keep them dry in the coolers and keep all bottles from the same site together. All samples will be kept chilled and shipped on ice. Permanently mark the inside lid of the cooler with return address and telephone number. If this is not possible, make certain samples are kept cool until they are shipped to the OGRL.

Coolers will be returned at your project's expense. The three options for cooler return are listed below.

• A. Enclose a return mailing label and correct postage metered for return of cooler by parcel post mail
• B. Return a completed Federal Express shipping label identifying your USGS internal cost code or Federal Express account number.
• C. Enclose a mailing label and internal USGS cost code to have the cooler returned by Federal Express Ground shipping.

The coolers must be sent Monday-Thursday by overnight delivery. The laboratory is not open on Saturday or Sunday. The laboratory is also closed on federal holidays; therefore, coolers should not be sent the day before a holiday.

If you have questions or need to set up a new project, please call Julie Dietze at the following number and use the following address when shipping samples:

OGRL

USGS KS WSC

4821 Quail Crest Place

Lawrence, KS 66049

785/832-3564

Organic Geochemistry Research Group
Links

• USGS - National Headquarters
• USGS Water Resources - National Headquarters
• USGS Water Resources - Regional Offices
• USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
• USGS Publications Warehouse
• USGS-SCoRR-Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy