Major ions such as Sulfate and Chloride are measured with an Ion Chromatograph
Analytical Facilities Active
The Core Laboratories Project is a research support service of the WHCMSC which provides analytical and technical infrastructure, and supports of a range of projects associated with Coastal Biogeochemical Processes, Coastal Groundwater, and Sedimentology.
Geochemistry Lab
The Geochemistry lab provides high-quality geochemical data through processing and analyses of groundwater, surface water, sediment, and gas samples for a wide array of dissolved nutrients, carbon, radiochemical age-dating and stable isotopes. Coupled with expertise in deployment of multi-parameter optical sensors, we have the unique capability to make direct measurements of lateral fluxes to/from coastal wetlands of dissolved fractions of carbon and nutrients over longer time-scales.
Carbon Analysis
USGS-WHOI Dissolved Carbon Isotope Lab (DCIL) We maintain the capability for analysis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and stable carbon isotope analysis through a cooperative agreement with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) using equipment provided and jointly maintained by the USGS and WHOI. Through this cooperative, we also have access to instrumentation that allows us to measure carbon isotope of gases and semi-volatile compounds by gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
Radiochemistry
USGS/WHOI Gamma-counting and Radium-counting facility is used to measure the gamma emissions from dried sediment material for the determination of chronologies for sediment studies (210Pb, 137Cs, 234Th). Radium measurements of short-lived radium and radon isotope activities from water samples determine groundwater input to the coastal zone.
Nutrients and Water Quality
The Geochemistry Group maintains a number of multi-parameter water quality field sensors and ADCP’s which can be deployed for weeks or months at a time in surface water or in wells. These measure chemical parameters including Conductivity, Temperature, Depth, flow, pH, Turbidity, chlorophyll, Dissolved Oxygen, Dissolved Organic Matter (fDOM) and CO2.
The lab also maintains a discrete nutrient analyzer for the analysis of Nitrate, Phosphorus, Ammonium and Silica, and an Ion Chromatograph for measuring major ions such as Sulfate and Chloride.
Sediment Core Sub-Sampling and Preparation
Sediment cores are sectioned, sub-sampled and processed at the WHSC for further analysis. Our labs contain freeze-drying and sediment grinding capabilities and the WHSC Sediment Lab conducts testing of physical properties such as grain-size distribution.
In addition to capabilities mentioned above, the Geochemistry Lab also maintains the following facilities on a continuing basis:
- DMA-80 mercury analyzer for measuring mercury distribution in fish and sediments.
- A class 10,000 ultra-clean space, providing particle- and contaminant-free space for low-level sample prep
Environmental Geochemistry
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Major ions such as Sulfate and Chloride are measured with an Ion Chromatograph
A well sensor continuously monitors salinity, temperature, and water level in a salt marsh, Cape Cod, MA
A well sensor continuously monitors salinity, temperature, and water level in a salt marsh, Cape Cod, MA
Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in water samples is measured with a UIC, Inc. Coulometer
Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in water samples is measured with a UIC, Inc. Coulometer
Gamma well detectors are used to determine the ages of sediments based on activities of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides
Gamma well detectors are used to determine the ages of sediments based on activities of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides
Wally Brooks records water quality data from a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
Wally Brooks records water quality data from a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
A Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
A Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
Westco discrete nutrient analyzer measures low-levels of nutrients in water samples
Westco discrete nutrient analyzer measures low-levels of nutrients in water samples
Below are publications associated with this project.
Deciphering the dynamics of inorganic carbon export from intertidal salt marshes using high-frequency measurements
Geochemical conditions and nitrogen transport in nearshore groundwater and the subterranean estuary at a Cape Cod embayment, East Falmouth, Massachusetts, 2013–14
Depth of the vadose zone controls aquifer biogeochemical conditions and extent of anthropogenic nitrogen removal
Intertidal salt marshes as an important source of inorganic carbon to the coastal ocean
- Overview
The Core Laboratories Project is a research support service of the WHCMSC which provides analytical and technical infrastructure, and supports of a range of projects associated with Coastal Biogeochemical Processes, Coastal Groundwater, and Sedimentology.
Geochemistry Lab
The Geochemistry lab provides high-quality geochemical data through processing and analyses of groundwater, surface water, sediment, and gas samples for a wide array of dissolved nutrients, carbon, radiochemical age-dating and stable isotopes. Coupled with expertise in deployment of multi-parameter optical sensors, we have the unique capability to make direct measurements of lateral fluxes to/from coastal wetlands of dissolved fractions of carbon and nutrients over longer time-scales.
Carbon Analysis
USGS-WHOI Dissolved Carbon Isotope Lab (DCIL) We maintain the capability for analysis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and stable carbon isotope analysis through a cooperative agreement with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) using equipment provided and jointly maintained by the USGS and WHOI. Through this cooperative, we also have access to instrumentation that allows us to measure carbon isotope of gases and semi-volatile compounds by gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
Radiochemistry
USGS/WHOI Gamma-counting and Radium-counting facility is used to measure the gamma emissions from dried sediment material for the determination of chronologies for sediment studies (210Pb, 137Cs, 234Th). Radium measurements of short-lived radium and radon isotope activities from water samples determine groundwater input to the coastal zone.
Nutrients and Water Quality
The Geochemistry Group maintains a number of multi-parameter water quality field sensors and ADCP’s which can be deployed for weeks or months at a time in surface water or in wells. These measure chemical parameters including Conductivity, Temperature, Depth, flow, pH, Turbidity, chlorophyll, Dissolved Oxygen, Dissolved Organic Matter (fDOM) and CO2.
The lab also maintains a discrete nutrient analyzer for the analysis of Nitrate, Phosphorus, Ammonium and Silica, and an Ion Chromatograph for measuring major ions such as Sulfate and Chloride.
Sediment Core Sub-Sampling and Preparation
Sediment cores are sectioned, sub-sampled and processed at the WHSC for further analysis. Our labs contain freeze-drying and sediment grinding capabilities and the WHSC Sediment Lab conducts testing of physical properties such as grain-size distribution.
In addition to capabilities mentioned above, the Geochemistry Lab also maintains the following facilities on a continuing basis:
- DMA-80 mercury analyzer for measuring mercury distribution in fish and sediments.
- A class 10,000 ultra-clean space, providing particle- and contaminant-free space for low-level sample prep
- Science
Environmental Geochemistry
Coastal Environmental Geochemistry research at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center spans multiple ecosystems and topics, including coastal wetlands, aquifers, and estuaries, with the goal of providing data and guidance to federal, state, local, and private land owners and managers on these vital ecosystems. - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Ion ChromatographMajor ions such as Sulfate and Chloride are measured with an Ion Chromatograph
Major ions such as Sulfate and Chloride are measured with an Ion Chromatograph
Salt Marsh Well SensorA well sensor continuously monitors salinity, temperature, and water level in a salt marsh, Cape Cod, MA
A well sensor continuously monitors salinity, temperature, and water level in a salt marsh, Cape Cod, MA
CoulmeterDissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in water samples is measured with a UIC, Inc. Coulometer
Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in water samples is measured with a UIC, Inc. Coulometer
Gamma well detectorsGamma well detectors are used to determine the ages of sediments based on activities of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides
Gamma well detectors are used to determine the ages of sediments based on activities of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides
Measuring water quality data, Cape Cod, MAWally Brooks records water quality data from a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
Wally Brooks records water quality data from a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
A Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creekA Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creekA Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
A Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
Westco discrete nutrient analyzerWestco discrete nutrient analyzer measures low-levels of nutrients in water samples
Westco discrete nutrient analyzer measures low-levels of nutrients in water samples
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Deciphering the dynamics of inorganic carbon export from intertidal salt marshes using high-frequency measurements
The lateral export of carbon from coastal marshes via tidal exchange is a key component of the marsh carbon budget and coastal carbon cycles. However, the magnitude of this export has been difficult to accurately quantify due to complex tidal dynamics and seasonal cycling of carbon. In this study, we use in situ, high-frequency measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and water fluxes to eAuthorsSophie N. Chu, Zhaohui Aleck Wang, Meagan Gonneea Eagle, Kevin D. Kroeger, Neil K. GanjuGeochemical conditions and nitrogen transport in nearshore groundwater and the subterranean estuary at a Cape Cod embayment, East Falmouth, Massachusetts, 2013–14
Nitrogen transport and transformation were studied during 2013 to 2014 by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in a subterranean estuary beneath onshore locations on the Seacoast Shores peninsula, a residential area in Falmouth, Massachusetts, served by septic systems and cesspools, and adjacent offshore locations in the Eel River, a saltwater eAuthorsJohn A. Colman, Denis R. LeBlanc, John K. Böhlke, Timothy D. McCobb, Kevin D. Kroeger, Marcel Belaval, Thomas C. Cambareri, Gillian F. Pirolli, T. Wallace Brooks, Mary E. Garren, Tobias B. Stover, Ann KeeleyDepth of the vadose zone controls aquifer biogeochemical conditions and extent of anthropogenic nitrogen removal
We investigated biogeochemical conditions and watershed features controlling the extent of nitrate removal through microbial dinitrogen (N2) production within the surficial glacial aquifer located on the north and south shores of Long Island, NY, USA. The extent of N2 production differs within portions of the aquifer, with greatest N2 production observed at the south shore of Long Island where theAuthorsBeata Szymczycha, Kevin D. Kroeger, John Crusius, John F. BrattonIntertidal salt marshes as an important source of inorganic carbon to the coastal ocean
Dynamic tidal export of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) to the coastal ocean from highly productive intertidal marshes and its effects on seawater carbonate chemistry are thoroughly evaluated. The study uses a comprehensive approach by combining tidal water sampling of CO2parameters across seasons, continuous in situ measurements of biogeochemically-relevant parameters and water fluxes, with highAuthorsZhaohui Aleck Wang, Kevin D. Kroeger, Neil K. Ganju, Meagan Gonneea Eagle, Sophie N. Chu