Analytical Capabilities, Sample Requirements, and Instrumentation Active
Organic Geochemistry Research Lab
(OGRL)
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 on source to receptor pathways for potential environmental relevant organic
contaminants.
3. Conduct collaborative research to study correlations between individual compound
and environmental mixture and environmental health effects.
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
- Preclean all equipment with a Liquinox/tap-water solution, rinsed with tap water, deonized water, and then methanol, and then air dry.
- 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).
- 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
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
OGRL Algal Toxins Methods of Analysis
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Occurrence of antibiotics in water from fish hatcheries
Accurate mass analysis of ethanesulfonic acid degradates of acetochlor and alachlor using high-performance liquid chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Method of analysis and quality-assurance practices by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group: Determination of geosmin and methylisoborneol in water using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Analysis and detection of the herbicides dimethenamid and flufenacet and their sulfonic and oxanilic acid degradates in natural water
Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group: Determination of triazine and phenylurea herbicides and their degradation products in water using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
Linker-assisted immunoassay and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for the analysis of glyphosate
Parasite (Ribeiroia ondatrae) infection linked to amphibian malformations in the western United States
The potential of combining ion trap/MS/MS and TOF/MS for identification of emerging contaminants
Movement of atrazine and deethylatrazine through a midwestern reservoir
Antimicrobial residues in animal waste and water resources proximal to large-scale swine and poultry feeding operations
Water-quality data for pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams, 1999-2000
Removal of antibiotics from surface and distilled water in conventional water treatment processes
- Overview
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 on source to receptor pathways for potential environmental relevant organic
contaminants.
3. Conduct collaborative research to study correlations between individual compound
and environmental mixture and environmental health effects.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
- Preclean all equipment with a Liquinox/tap-water solution, rinsed with tap water, deonized water, and then methanol, and then air dry.
- 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).
- 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:
OGRLUSGS KS WSC
4821 Quail Crest Place
Lawrence, KS 66049
785/832-3564
Organic Geochemistry Research Group
Links - Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
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. - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 107Occurrence of antibiotics in water from fish hatcheries
The recent discovery of pharmaceuticals in streams across the United States (Kolpin and others, 2002) has raised the visibility and need for monitoring of antibiotics in the environment. Possible sources of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals in streams may include fish hatcheries. This fact sheet presents the results from a preliminary study of fish hatcheries across the United States for the oAuthorsEarl M. Thurman, Julie E. Dietze, Elisabeth A. ScribnerAccurate mass analysis of ethanesulfonic acid degradates of acetochlor and alachlor using high-performance liquid chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Degradates of acetochlor and alachlor (ethanesulfonic acids, ESAs) were analyzed in both standards and in a groundwater sample using high-performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. The negative pseudomolecular ion of the secondary amide of acetochlor ESA and alachlor ESA gave average masses of 256.0750??0.0049 amu and 270.0786??0.0064 amu respeAuthorsE. M. Thurman, I. Ferrer, R. ParryMethod of analysis and quality-assurance practices by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group: Determination of geosmin and methylisoborneol in water using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
A method for the determination of two common odor-causing compounds in water, geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol, was modified and verified by the U.S. Geological Survey's Organic Geochemistry Research Group in Lawrence, Kansas. The optimized method involves the extraction of odor-causing compounds from filtered water samples using a divinylbenzene-carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane cross-link coated solidAuthorsL.R. Zimmerman, A. C. Ziegler, E. M. ThurmanAnalysis and detection of the herbicides dimethenamid and flufenacet and their sulfonic and oxanilic acid degradates in natural water
Dimethenamid [2-chloro-N-(2,4-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] and flufenacet [N-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-(1-methylethyl)-2-(5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,4- thiadiazol-2-yl)oxy] were isolated by C-18 solid-phase extraction and separated from their ethanesulfonic acid (ESA) and oxanilic acid (OXA) degradates during their elution using ethyl acetate for the parent compound, followed byAuthorsL.R. Zimmerman, R.J. Schneider, E. M. ThurmanMethods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group: Determination of triazine and phenylurea herbicides and their degradation products in water using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
An analytical method for the determination of 7 triazine and phenylurea herbicides and 12 of their degradation products in natural water samples using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry is presented in this report. Special consideration was given during the development of the method to prevent the formation of degradation products during the analysis. Filtered waterAuthorsEdward Alan Lee, Alex P. Strahan, Earl Michael ThurmanLinker-assisted immunoassay and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for the analysis of glyphosate
A novel, sensitive, linker-assisted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (L'ELISA) was compared to on-line solidphase extraction (SPE) with high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) for the analysis of glyphosate in surface water and groundwater samples. The L'ELISA used succinic anhydride to derivatize glyphosate, which mimics the epitotic attachment of glyphosate to horseraAuthorsE.A. Lee, L.R. Zimmerman, B.S. Bhullar, E. M. ThurmanParasite (Ribeiroia ondatrae) infection linked to amphibian malformations in the western United States
Parasites and pathogens can influence the survivorship, behavior, and very structure of their host species. For example, experimental studies have shown that trematode parasites can cause high frequencies of severe limb malformations in amphibians. In a broad-scale field survey covering parts of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana, we examined relationships between the frequency andAuthorsP.T.J. Johnson, K.B. Lunde, E. M. Thurman, E.G. Ritchie, S.N. Wray, D.R. Sutherland, J.M. Kapfer, T.J. Frest, J. Bowerman, A.R. BlausteinThe potential of combining ion trap/MS/MS and TOF/MS for identification of emerging contaminants
The use of a method combining ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and time of flight mass spectrometry (TOF/MS) for identification of emerging contaminates was discussed. The two tools together complemented each other in sensitivity, fragmentation and accurate mass determination. Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI/MS/MS), in positive ion mAuthorsI. Ferrer, E. T. Furlong, C.E. Heine, E. M. ThurmanMovement of atrazine and deethylatrazine through a midwestern reservoir
The three-dimensional visualization of atrazine and deethylatrazine in a reservoir was determined by five "snapshots" over a one-year period using immunoassay analyses, confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and visualized with a three-dimensional computer program. The surveys were conducted in Perry Lake in Kansas and showed that spring runoff laden with triazine herbicides entered theAuthorsJ. D. Fallon, D.P. Tierney, E. M. ThurmanAntimicrobial residues in animal waste and water resources proximal to large-scale swine and poultry feeding operations
Expansion and intensification of large-scale animal feeding operations (AFOs) in the United States has resulted in concern about environmental contamination and its potential public health impacts. The objective of this investigation was to obtain background data on a broad profile of antimicrobial residues in animal wastes and surface water and groundwater proximal to large-scale swine and poultrAuthorsE.R. Campagnolo, K.R. Johnson, A. Karpati, C.S. Rubin, D.W. Kolpin, M. T. Meyer, J. Emilio Esteban, R.W. Currier, K. Smith, K.M. Thu, M. McGeehinWater-quality data for pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams, 1999-2000
Water-quality data collected during 1999 and 2000 as part of the first nationwide reconnaissance of the occurrence of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs) are presented in this report. A network of 139 streams in 30 states were sampled and analyzed for 95 different OWCs using five new research methods developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. Site selection waAuthorsKimberlee K. Barnes, Dana W. Kolpin, Michael T. Meyer, E. Michael Thurman, Edward T. Furlong, Steven D. Zaugg, Larry B. BarberRemoval of antibiotics from surface and distilled water in conventional water treatment processes
Conventional drinking water treatment processes were evaluated under typical water treatment plant conditions to determine their effectiveness in the removal of seven common antibiotics: carbadox, sulfachlorpyridazine, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfathiazole, and trimethoprim. Experiments were conducted using synthetic solutions prepared by spiking both distilled/ deionizedAuthorsC. Adams, Y. Wang, K. Loftin, M. Meyer