Algal and Environmental Toxins Research Laboratory — Lawrence, Kansas
Advanced Techniques are Used to Identify Algal Toxins
Scientists Routinely Evaluate Equipment Performance
The Laboratory Analyzes Algal Toxins
to inform questions about fish and wildlife health
Scientists Use a Variety of Analytical Techniques to Analyze Samples
About the Laboratory
The Environmental Health Program collaborates with scientists at the Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) in Lawrence, Kansas, to develop and employ targeted and non-targeted analytical methods for identification and quantitation of known and understudied algal/cyanobacterial toxins. The laboratory contructed in 2019 is a 2,500 square foot modern laboratory facility with enhanced capabilities for algal toxin detection and increased throughput. This research is used to meet the growing demand for reliable algal toxin data and better definition of potential human and wildlife health effect thresholds of toxin exposure.
Algal and Environmental Toxins Research Laboratory
The Algal and Environmental Toxins Research Laboratory (AET) Core Technology Team (CTT), part of the USGS Environmental Health Program, focuses on developing methods to support research on harmful algal blooms and algal and cyanobacterial toxins (aka. cyanotoxins). These toxins, including anatoxins, cylindrospermopsins, domoic acids, gymnodimines, microcystins, nodularins, okadaic acids, pectinotoxins, and saxitoxins are produced during algal blooms and can have adverse health effects on humans and wildlife. The CTT employs advanced analytical techniques to monitor, identify, and quantify these toxins, as well as other algal toxins and secondary metabolites. Additionally, the AET CTT works on laboratory and field-based methods development for validation/verification of remotely sensed data through traditional water quality measurements, algal pigments, and spectroscopy. The AET CTT directly supports the Environmental Health Toxins and Harmful Algal Blooms Integrated Science Team and collaborates with other researchers from different government agencies to study cyano- and algal toxins. They seek to expand research opportunities to advance our understanding of these environmental toxins and their potential impacts.
Key Analytical Capabilities
- Absolute quantitation of cyanobacteria and algal toxins
- Identification and relative quantitation of cyanobacteria and algae secondary metabolites
- Custom method/matrix development
Laboratory Methods
The AET CTT is committed to innovation, always working on new ways to improve their research methods by embracing the latest technology and equipment. They focus on enhancing their techniques by combining new tools with their existing processes, using two main types of analytical methods:
Targeted Methods: These are specific tests designed to detect toxins. Some of the techniques they use include:
- ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): A popular lab technique that can quickly identify and measure substances, especially proteins or toxins.
- Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS): A highly sensitive method for analyzing mixtures and identifying different compounds based on their mass and chemical properties.
- Chromatography with UV-Fluorescence Detection: This method uses light to help detect and analyze certain compounds in samples.
Nontargeted Methods: These approaches look at a broader range of compounds without focusing on specific ones. They include:
- LC-HRMS: A method similar to LC-MS but offers higher resolution, allowing for better identification of substances.
- FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy): A technique that uses infrared light to identify materials based on how they absorb light.
- UV-Vis Spectroscopy: This method measures how much UV and visible light a substance absorbs, helping to identify its chemical makeup.
- Hyperspectral Radiometry: This method measures visible light of substances in field settings for development of remote sensing algorithms and validation/verification of satellite data.
Key Instrumentation
- Two liquid chromatograph high resolution mass spectrometers for chemical quantitation and qualitative measurements
- Liquid chromatograph triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for chemical quantitation
- Liquid chromatograph with diode array and fluorimeter detectors
- ELISA plate readers and spectroscopy (UV-Vis, FT-IR, XRF)
- Extraction equipment
About the Laboratory
The Environmental Health Program collaborates with scientists at the Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) in Lawrence, Kansas, to develop and employ targeted and non-targeted analytical methods for identification and quantitation of known and understudied algal/cyanobacterial toxins. The laboratory contructed in 2019 is a 2,500 square foot modern laboratory facility with enhanced capabilities for algal toxin detection and increased throughput. This research is used to meet the growing demand for reliable algal toxin data and better definition of potential human and wildlife health effect thresholds of toxin exposure.
Algal and Environmental Toxins Research Laboratory
The Algal and Environmental Toxins Research Laboratory (AET) Core Technology Team (CTT), part of the USGS Environmental Health Program, focuses on developing methods to support research on harmful algal blooms and algal and cyanobacterial toxins (aka. cyanotoxins). These toxins, including anatoxins, cylindrospermopsins, domoic acids, gymnodimines, microcystins, nodularins, okadaic acids, pectinotoxins, and saxitoxins are produced during algal blooms and can have adverse health effects on humans and wildlife. The CTT employs advanced analytical techniques to monitor, identify, and quantify these toxins, as well as other algal toxins and secondary metabolites. Additionally, the AET CTT works on laboratory and field-based methods development for validation/verification of remotely sensed data through traditional water quality measurements, algal pigments, and spectroscopy. The AET CTT directly supports the Environmental Health Toxins and Harmful Algal Blooms Integrated Science Team and collaborates with other researchers from different government agencies to study cyano- and algal toxins. They seek to expand research opportunities to advance our understanding of these environmental toxins and their potential impacts.
Key Analytical Capabilities
- Absolute quantitation of cyanobacteria and algal toxins
- Identification and relative quantitation of cyanobacteria and algae secondary metabolites
- Custom method/matrix development
Laboratory Methods
The AET CTT is committed to innovation, always working on new ways to improve their research methods by embracing the latest technology and equipment. They focus on enhancing their techniques by combining new tools with their existing processes, using two main types of analytical methods:
Targeted Methods: These are specific tests designed to detect toxins. Some of the techniques they use include:
- ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): A popular lab technique that can quickly identify and measure substances, especially proteins or toxins.
- Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS): A highly sensitive method for analyzing mixtures and identifying different compounds based on their mass and chemical properties.
- Chromatography with UV-Fluorescence Detection: This method uses light to help detect and analyze certain compounds in samples.
Nontargeted Methods: These approaches look at a broader range of compounds without focusing on specific ones. They include:
- LC-HRMS: A method similar to LC-MS but offers higher resolution, allowing for better identification of substances.
- FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy): A technique that uses infrared light to identify materials based on how they absorb light.
- UV-Vis Spectroscopy: This method measures how much UV and visible light a substance absorbs, helping to identify its chemical makeup.
- Hyperspectral Radiometry: This method measures visible light of substances in field settings for development of remote sensing algorithms and validation/verification of satellite data.
Key Instrumentation
- Two liquid chromatograph high resolution mass spectrometers for chemical quantitation and qualitative measurements
- Liquid chromatograph triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for chemical quantitation
- Liquid chromatograph with diode array and fluorimeter detectors
- ELISA plate readers and spectroscopy (UV-Vis, FT-IR, XRF)
- Extraction equipment