Organic Geochemistry Research Lab
(OGRL)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Kansas Water Science Center Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) was established in 1987. The OGRL is a multidisciplinary program that contributes knowledge about the distribution, fate, transport, and effects of new and understudied organic compounds that may affect human health and (or) ecosystems.
The OGRL consists of two units: Algal and Other Environmental Toxins (AET) Unit and Environmental Organic Chemistry (EOC) Unit. The OGRL does independent and collaborative research, develops robust analytical methods, and provides fee-for-service analytical laboratory analyses.
Algal and Other Environmental Toxins Unit
The Algal and Environmental Toxins Unit has the capability to detect toxins that could be harmful to human health and the environment.

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Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques in low and high salinity waters for the following toxins: anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, microcystin, and saxitoxin.
-
Liquid chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry for the following:
-
Total and dissolved freshwater toxins (includes 13 analytes)
-
Total and dissolved marine toxins (includes 9 analytes)
-
Total and dissolved freshwater and marine toxins (includes 21 analytes)
- Nontarget screening
-
Environmental Organic Chemistry Unit
Using state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques, the Environmental Organic Chemistry Unit analyzes samples from various matrices to determine the occurrence of organic contaminants in the environment.

-
Sample preparation, including filtering, accelerated solvent extractions, bioassay extractions, and solid-phase extractions.
-
Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry methods in water and solids (soil, sediment, and biosolids) for the following:
-
Artificial sweeteners (includes 5 analytes)
-
Atrazine
-
Glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate
-
Four class antibiotic method (includes 33 analytes)
-
Pharmaceutical method (includes 84 compounds)
-
Hormones: androgens, conjugates, and estrogens (includes 32 analytes)
-
Hormones: progestins (includes 11 analytes)
-
Hormones: phytoestrogens (includes 6 analytes)
-
Mycotoxins (includes 8 analytes)
- Tire leachate: 6 PPD-quinone
-
FY25 Sample Collection and Processing Directions
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
OGRL Algal Toxins Methods of Analysis
Glyphosate, AMPA, and Glufosinate Method of Analysis: OGRL LCGY
Antibiotic Methods of Analysis: OGRL LCAB
Parents and Degradation Products of Analysis: OGRL LCEA
Acetamide Parents and Degradation Products of Analysis: OGRL LCPD
OGRL Enzyme Linked-Imunnosorbent Assay Methods of Analysis
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Colorimetric microtiter plate receptor-binding assay for the detection of freshwater and marine neurotoxins targeting the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Land use patterns, ecoregion, and microcystin relationships in U.S. lakes and reservoirs: a preliminary evaluation
Occurrence of pesticides in groundwater and sediments and mineralogy of sediments and grain coatings underlying the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Upper Deerfield, New Jersey, 2007
Experimental additions of aluminum sulfate and ammonium nitrate to in situ mesocosms to reduce cyanobacterial biovolume and microcystin concentration
Experimental additions of aluminum sulfateand ammonium nitrate to in situ mesocosms toreduce cyanobacterial biovolume and microcystinconcentration
A review on cylindrospermopsin: the global occurrence, detection, toxicity and degradation of a potent cyanotoxin
Mycotoxins: diffuse and point source contributions of natural contaminants of emerging concern to streams
Bioassay of estrogenicity and chemical analyses of estrogens in streams across the United States associated with livestock operations
Occurrence and partitioning of antibiotic compounds found in the water column and bottom sediments from a stream receiving two wastewater treatment plant effluents in northern New Jersey, 2008.
Chemical contaminants in water and sediment near fish nesting sites in the Potomac River basin: determining potential exposures to smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Initial results from a reconnaissance of cyanobacteria and associated toxins in Illinois, August--October 2012
Relations between DNA- and RNA-based molecular methods for cyanobacteria and microcystin concentration at Maumee Bay State Park Lakeside Beach, Oregon, Ohio, 2012
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Kansas Water Science Center Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) was established in 1987. The OGRL is a multidisciplinary program that contributes knowledge about the distribution, fate, transport, and effects of new and understudied organic compounds that may affect human health and (or) ecosystems.
The OGRL consists of two units: Algal and Other Environmental Toxins (AET) Unit and Environmental Organic Chemistry (EOC) Unit. The OGRL does independent and collaborative research, develops robust analytical methods, and provides fee-for-service analytical laboratory analyses.
Algal and Other Environmental Toxins Unit
The Algal and Environmental Toxins Unit has the capability to detect toxins that could be harmful to human health and the environment.

-
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques in low and high salinity waters for the following toxins: anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, microcystin, and saxitoxin.
-
Liquid chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry for the following:
-
Total and dissolved freshwater toxins (includes 13 analytes)
-
Total and dissolved marine toxins (includes 9 analytes)
-
Total and dissolved freshwater and marine toxins (includes 21 analytes)
- Nontarget screening
-
Environmental Organic Chemistry Unit
Using state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques, the Environmental Organic Chemistry Unit analyzes samples from various matrices to determine the occurrence of organic contaminants in the environment.

-
Sample preparation, including filtering, accelerated solvent extractions, bioassay extractions, and solid-phase extractions.
-
Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry methods in water and solids (soil, sediment, and biosolids) for the following:
-
Artificial sweeteners (includes 5 analytes)
-
Atrazine
-
Glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate
-
Four class antibiotic method (includes 33 analytes)
-
Pharmaceutical method (includes 84 compounds)
-
Hormones: androgens, conjugates, and estrogens (includes 32 analytes)
-
Hormones: progestins (includes 11 analytes)
-
Hormones: phytoestrogens (includes 6 analytes)
-
Mycotoxins (includes 8 analytes)
- Tire leachate: 6 PPD-quinone
-
FY25 Sample Collection and Processing Directions
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
OGRL Algal Toxins Methods of Analysis
Glyphosate, AMPA, and Glufosinate Method of Analysis: OGRL LCGY
Antibiotic Methods of Analysis: OGRL LCAB
Parents and Degradation Products of Analysis: OGRL LCEA
Acetamide Parents and Degradation Products of Analysis: OGRL LCPD
OGRL Enzyme Linked-Imunnosorbent Assay Methods of Analysis
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.