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Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

The Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory is part of the USGS Oil and Gas Waters Project. It performs inorganic analysis of produced waters for geochemical fingerprinting and interpretation, environmental and human health impacts (e.g., disposal, reuse), and understanding potential mineral commodities. The BRInE lab is USGS Quality Management System compliant.

Enhance your Science - Work with the BRInE Laboratory

Produced Water Samples

The BRInE laboratory addresses the challenges of analyzing produced waters by adapting traditional methods of water analysis. If interested in working with the BRInE laboratory, please contact Andrew Masterson:

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USGS National Produced Waters Geochemical Database v3.0

A screenshot of the USGS National Produced Waters Geochemical Database viewer.

The U.S. Geological Survey National Produced Waters Geochemical Database v3.0 is an updated compilation of geochemical and related information for water from oil and gas wells in the United States.

View Database

Related Links

Publications

Lithium brine potential of North Dakota: Results from the 2025 sampling program Lithium brine potential of North Dakota: Results from the 2025 sampling program

Lithium (Li), classified as a critical mineral and key in energy storage applications because of its high energy density, faces unprecedented demand. This has driven interest in unconventional sources of Li, especially brines from sedimentary basins. Accordingly, the spatial distribution of basinal brinehosted Li resources across North America is becoming better defined, including the...
Authors
Brendan A. Bishop, Timothy O. Nesheim, Ismail H. Faruqi, Andrew L. Masterson, Aaron M. Jubb, Bonnie McDevitt, Amanda Sha Herzberg, Colin A. Doolan, Jessica Chenault, Daniel S. Alessi
By
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in waters associated with oil and gas development in the Denver Basin Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in waters associated with oil and gas development in the Denver Basin

Use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the petroleum industry could be a cause for concern due to the large volumes of produced water (PW) generated during oil and gas extraction, the reuse of these wastes in water-stressed regions, and adverse health outcomes related to PFAS exposures. However, PW PFAS characterization is nearly absent in the literature, and hydraulic...
Authors
Matthew S. Varonka, Aaron M. Jubb, Bonnie McDevitt, Jenna L. Shelton, Elliott P. Barnhart, Denise M. Akob, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
By
Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Lithium resource in the Smackover Formation brines of Southern Arkansas Lithium resource in the Smackover Formation brines of Southern Arkansas

Lithium-rich brine deposits occur throughout the United States, including in the Smackover Formation. The concentration of lithium in Smackover Formation brines was predicted across southern Arkansas by using a machine-learning model that incorporated lithium concentration data and geologic information. Between 5.1 and 19.0 million metric tons of lithium are calculated to be present in...
Authors
Katherine J. Knierim, Andrew L. Masterson, Philip A. Freeman, Bonnie McDevitt, Amanda H. Herzberg, Peng Li, Ciara Mills, Colin Doolan, Aaron M. Jubb, Scott M. Ausbrooks, Jessica Chenault
By
Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory
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