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Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL)

The Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory is a multidisciplinary program that focuses on contributing new knowledge on the distribution, fate, transport, and effects of new and understudied organic compounds that are suspected of causing undesired effects on human health and/or ecosystems. OGRL works independently or collaboratively by investigating the organic contaminant occurrence, distribution, fate, transport, and modification paired with biological indicators when possible to examine integrated effects. The OGRL currently has three main focuses that include investigation of 1) point and nonpoint source assessment of occurrence, fate, transport and effects of pesticides, their degradates, and “inert” ingredients, 2) point and nonpoint source assessment of occurrence, fate, transport, and effects of emerging contaminants, their degradates, and effects, and 3) analytical methods development to support research objectives to study selected organic contaminants in multiple media (e.g. water, wastewater, soil, sediment, manure, biosolids) and to conduct independent and collaborative laboratory, field, watershed scale process studies and regional to national transport studies.

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Scientist in Lab running tests on water

Analytical Capabilities, Sample Requirements, and Instrumentation

OGRL works independently or collaboratively to pair fate and transport with biological experiments and effects. OGRL has three main focuses: 1. Development and modification of robust analytical methods needed for analysis of compounds in multiple matrices to address relevant environmental health issues. 2. Conduct independent and collaborative lab to national based studies to provide new knowledge...
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Kansas Water Science Center
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Analytical Capabilities, Sample Requirements, and Instrumentation

OGRL works independently or collaboratively to pair fate and transport with biological experiments and effects. OGRL has three main focuses: 1. Development and modification of robust analytical methods needed for analysis of compounds in multiple matrices to address relevant environmental health issues. 2. Conduct independent and collaborative lab to national based studies to provide new knowledge...
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Photo of algal toxins in a creek

OGRL Algal Toxins Methods of Analysis

Algal toxins are a group of toxic compounds produced by a range of photosynthetic freshwater and marine plankton. These toxins have the ability to cause sickness in animals and humans and in severe cases lead to death. OGRL has the ability to evaluate and conduct occurrence, fate, transport, effects, and treatability studies methods.
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Kansas Water Science Center
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OGRL Algal Toxins Methods of Analysis

Algal toxins are a group of toxic compounds produced by a range of photosynthetic freshwater and marine plankton. These toxins have the ability to cause sickness in animals and humans and in severe cases lead to death. OGRL has the ability to evaluate and conduct occurrence, fate, transport, effects, and treatability studies methods.
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Picture of field

Glyphosate, AMPA, and Glufosinate Method of Analysis: OGRL LCGY

Glyphosate and glufosinate are herbicides used for weed and vegetation control. AMPA, aminomethylphosphonic acid, is a degradation product of glyphosate. Since the introduction of glyphosate resistant (round-up ready) corn and soybeans glyphosate has become the most widely used herbicide in the world.
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Kansas Water Science Center
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Glyphosate, AMPA, and Glufosinate Method of Analysis: OGRL LCGY

Glyphosate and glufosinate are herbicides used for weed and vegetation control. AMPA, aminomethylphosphonic acid, is a degradation product of glyphosate. Since the introduction of glyphosate resistant (round-up ready) corn and soybeans glyphosate has become the most widely used herbicide in the world.
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Photo of cows at feed lot

Antibiotic Methods of Analysis: OGRL LCAB

Antibiotics are used for human health and livestock management and health. The increase of antibiotic resistant infections has resulted in concern that sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics for weight gain in livestock and the release of low levels of antibiotics into surface and groundwater from urban and agricultural sources may be contributing to this problem.
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Kansas Water Science Center
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Antibiotic Methods of Analysis: OGRL LCAB

Antibiotics are used for human health and livestock management and health. The increase of antibiotic resistant infections has resulted in concern that sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics for weight gain in livestock and the release of low levels of antibiotics into surface and groundwater from urban and agricultural sources may be contributing to this problem.
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Crops at a farm in Kansas

Parents and Degradation Products of Analysis: OGRL LCEA

Triazines and phenylureas are commonly used herbicides for controlling weeds in row crops. These herbicides and their degradation products have been found in samples collected from surface water, groundwater, and precipitation throughout the United States. Atrazine until recently was the most widely applied herbicide in the U.S. and is still a widely applied preplanting corn herbicide.
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Kansas Water Science Center
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Parents and Degradation Products of Analysis: OGRL LCEA

Triazines and phenylureas are commonly used herbicides for controlling weeds in row crops. These herbicides and their degradation products have been found in samples collected from surface water, groundwater, and precipitation throughout the United States. Atrazine until recently was the most widely applied herbicide in the U.S. and is still a widely applied preplanting corn herbicide.
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rows of herbicide treated crops

Acetamide Parents and Degradation Products of Analysis: OGRL LCPD

Acetamide herbicides are used to control weeds in row crops such as corn and soybeans. Acetamide herbicides and their degradates are common contaminants in surface and groundwater. Some of the widely detected acid degradates are on the USEPA contaminant candidate list (CCL).
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Kansas Water Science Center
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Acetamide Parents and Degradation Products of Analysis: OGRL LCPD

Acetamide herbicides are used to control weeds in row crops such as corn and soybeans. Acetamide herbicides and their degradates are common contaminants in surface and groundwater. Some of the widely detected acid degradates are on the USEPA contaminant candidate list (CCL).
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Test tube holder holding many test tubes.

OGRL Enzyme Linked-Imunnosorbent Assay Methods of Analysis

Immunoassays are rapid screening techinques that can be used to provide data on a specific compound or class of compunds on a large number of samples. We have used these methods to conduct large scale reconnaissance studies of atrazine in rainfall and cyanobacterial toxins in the USEPA national lake and reservoir reconnaissance study.
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Kansas Water Science Center
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OGRL Enzyme Linked-Imunnosorbent Assay Methods of Analysis

Immunoassays are rapid screening techinques that can be used to provide data on a specific compound or class of compunds on a large number of samples. We have used these methods to conduct large scale reconnaissance studies of atrazine in rainfall and cyanobacterial toxins in the USEPA national lake and reservoir reconnaissance study.
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USGS scientist preparing water samples for glyphosate analysis.

Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory Scored High on Proficiency Testing for Glyphosate

In a recent inter–laboratory comparison of 28 international laboratories, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) scored A's for the analysis of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in this proficiency testing.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Kansas Water Science Center
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Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory Scored High on Proficiency Testing for Glyphosate

In a recent inter–laboratory comparison of 28 international laboratories, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) scored A's for the analysis of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in this proficiency testing.
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Dr. Michael T. Meyer in the laboratory working with a ultrapressure liquid chromatograph/tandem mass spectrometer.

Recognition for a USGS Scientist in Service to Others

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Michael T. Meyer has had a prolific career, publishing 60 journal articles and 45 USGS publications. Mike's publication record has recently led to his designation as a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher, ranking among the top 1 percent of researchers from 2002 to 2012 for most cited documents in their specific field (Environment/Ecology). He was...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Kansas Water Science Center
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Recognition for a USGS Scientist in Service to Others

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Michael T. Meyer has had a prolific career, publishing 60 journal articles and 45 USGS publications. Mike's publication record has recently led to his designation as a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher, ranking among the top 1 percent of researchers from 2002 to 2012 for most cited documents in their specific field (Environment/Ecology). He was...
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USGS scientists used advanced analytical equipment to investigate the composition of POEA (polyoxyethylene tallow amine)

Measuring POEA, a Surfactant Mixture in Herbicide Formulations

POEA (polyoxyethylene tallow amine) is a surfactant with known toxic effects on aquatic organisms. POEA was added to the original formulation of the herbicide glyphosate to aid in its application and effectiveness at controlling weeds. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists developing methods to measure POEA in the environment have shown that it’s a complex and variable mixture of related...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Kansas Water Science Center
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Measuring POEA, a Surfactant Mixture in Herbicide Formulations

POEA (polyoxyethylene tallow amine) is a surfactant with known toxic effects on aquatic organisms. POEA was added to the original formulation of the herbicide glyphosate to aid in its application and effectiveness at controlling weeds. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists developing methods to measure POEA in the environment have shown that it’s a complex and variable mixture of related...
Learn More