Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California
Science Center Objects
About the Laboratory
Chemists and hydrologists at the Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL) develop targeted analytical methods for the quantitation of chemicals that can impact the health of organisms and humans. They have developed methods in a wide variety of environmental media; in addition to water and sediment, they also analyze a variety of tissue matrices (for example, amphibians, insects, fish, plants, pollen).
Small sample bottles with pollen inside
(Credit: Michelle L. Hladik, California Water Science Center. Public domain.)
Key Instrumentation
- Two gas chromatograph single quadrupole mass spectrometers for chemical quantitation (water and sediment)
- Gas chromatograph triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for chemical quantitation (tissue and sediments)
- Bioinert liquid chromatograph triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for chemical quantitation (water, sediment, tissue)
- Extraction equipment for working with a variety of sample matrices
USGS chemist working with samples in a laboratory hood
(Credit: Michelle L. Hladik, USGS. Public domain.)
Key Analytical Capabilities
- Pesticides and Pesticide Degradates
- Neonicotinoids
- Pyrethroids
- Fungicides
- Disinfection Byproducts
- Ability to measure environmentally relevant concentrations in small sample volumes
- Custom method/matrix development
USGS chemist homogenizes a tissue sample into a mortar and pestle
(Credit: Michelle L. Hladik, USGS. Public domain.)
Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer - GCMS
(Credit: Michelle L. Hladik, USGS. Public domain.)
Liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometer used for pesticide analysis.
(Credit: Michelle L. Hladik, USGS. Public domain.)
Laboratories and Capability Teams
Short descriptions of our specialized laboratories and capabilities across the United States.