Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory
Pollen samples from various plants collected from hedgerows
Vial containing an egg sample that will undergo chemical extraction
A U.S. Geological Survey chemist evaporating sample extracts
Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer
U.S. Geological Survey chemist homogenizes a tissue sample
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).