In a recent inter–laboratory comparison of 28 international laboratories, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) scored A's for the analysis of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in this proficiency testing.
OGRL participated in a proficiency test through the General Association of Analytical Laboratories of the Environment (AGLAE). AGLAE is an accredited proficiency test provider with 20 years of experience in the field of environmental analysis. The program OGRL participated in was entitled "M55 Glyphosate, AMPAand aminotriazole in clean waters" and had participants from all over the world.
The OGRL method evaluated uses of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for the determination of glyphosate, its degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate. The method was developed and approved in 2009.
Glyphosate has become the most widely used herbicide in the world since the introduction of genetically modified (that is, RoundUp Ready) corn and soybeans and is a common contaminant in surface water. OGRL has been analyzing and studying glyphosate and it’s degradate AMPA in environmental water samples since 2001 and has analyzed over 8,000 samples.
This research was funded by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area’s Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology)
About OGRL
The Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory is a multidisciplinary program that focuses on contributing new knowledge on the distribution, fate, transport, and effects of new and understudied organic compounds that are suspected of causing undesired effects on human health and (or) ecosystems. OGRL is located in the USGS Kansas Water Science Center in Lawrence Kansas.
USGS science related to this featured science activity.
Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team
Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team
Organic Geochemistry Research — Lawrence, Kansas
Comparison of Predicted and Measured Pharmaceutical Concentrations in Rivers
Program Scientist Receives Meritorious Service Award
Two Scientists Receive Early Career Excellence in Leadership Award
USGS Scientist Receives Award for Assistance with National Wetlands Assessment
DOI Distinguished Service Award Given to Two Program Scientists
Pesticide Contamination and Environmental Exposure
U.S. Geological Survey Scientist Recognized as Highly Cited Researcher
Common Weed Killer is Widespread in the Environment
Measuring POEA, a Surfactant Mixture in Herbicide Formulations
Glyphosate Found in Wastewater Discharged to Streams
- Overview
In a recent inter–laboratory comparison of 28 international laboratories, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) scored A's for the analysis of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in this proficiency testing.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.USGS scientist preparing water samples for glyphosate analysis. Photo Credit: Melinda Landgraf, USGS. OGRL participated in a proficiency test through the General Association of Analytical Laboratories of the Environment (AGLAE). AGLAE is an accredited proficiency test provider with 20 years of experience in the field of environmental analysis. The program OGRL participated in was entitled "M55 Glyphosate, AMPAand aminotriazole in clean waters" and had participants from all over the world.
The OGRL method evaluated uses of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for the determination of glyphosate, its degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate. The method was developed and approved in 2009.
Glyphosate has become the most widely used herbicide in the world since the introduction of genetically modified (that is, RoundUp Ready) corn and soybeans and is a common contaminant in surface water. OGRL has been analyzing and studying glyphosate and it’s degradate AMPA in environmental water samples since 2001 and has analyzed over 8,000 samples.
This research was funded by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area’s Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology)
About OGRL
The Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory is a multidisciplinary program that focuses on contributing new knowledge on the distribution, fate, transport, and effects of new and understudied organic compounds that are suspected of causing undesired effects on human health and (or) ecosystems. OGRL is located in the USGS Kansas Water Science Center in Lawrence Kansas.
- Science
USGS science related to this featured science activity.
Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team
The team studies the movement of toxicants and pathogens that could originate from the growing, raising, and processing/manufacturing of plant and animal products through the environment where exposure can occur. This information is used to understand if there are adverse effects upon exposure and to develop decision tools to protect health.Filter Total Items: 13Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team
The team studies the movement of toxicants and pathogens that could originate from the growing, raising, and processing/manufacturing of plant and animal products through the environment where exposure can occur. This information is used to understand if there are adverse effects upon exposure and to develop decision tools to protect health.Organic Geochemistry Research — Lawrence, Kansas
About the ResearchThe Environmental Health Program collaborates with chemists and geologists at the Kansas Water Science Center's Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) to develop targeted and non-targeted analytical methods for the identification and quantitation of chemicals that can impact the health of humans and other organisms and use bioassays to screen for receptor inhibition. The...Comparison of Predicted and Measured Pharmaceutical Concentrations in Rivers
New study evaluated if predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) of pharmaceuticals (based on pharmaceutical usage data, degree of metabolism in humans, removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and environmental dilution), reflect actual measured environmental concentrations (MECs) in two rivers of different sizes and demographics.Program Scientist Receives Meritorious Service Award
Dr. Isabelle M. Cozzarelli received the U.S. Department of Interior's second highest honorary award—the Meritorious Service Award—for her numerous contributions to understanding the biogeochemical controls of contaminant degradation in groundwater and near-surface environments.Two Scientists Receive Early Career Excellence in Leadership Award
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 2016 Early Career Excellence in Leadership Award was given to Dr. Denise M. Akob and Dr. Karl B. Haase. Drs. Akob and Haase have demonstrated outstanding leadership through their scientific accomplishments and service to the USGS.USGS Scientist Receives Award for Assistance with National Wetlands Assessment
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Keith A. Loftin received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water's Achievement in Science and Technology Award for his contributions to the National Wetlands Condition Assessment.DOI Distinguished Service Award Given to Two Program Scientists
Two U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Toxic Substances Hydrology Program (TSHP) scientists, Denis R. LeBlanc and Dr. Michael T. Meyer, received the Department of Interior's (DOI) highest honor—the Distinguished Service Award. The award is given to recognize outstanding contribution to science, outstanding skill or ability in the performance of duty, outstanding contribution made during an eminent...Pesticide Contamination and Environmental Exposure
The USGS is developing methods to measure new pesticides and their byproducts in environmental media, conducting studies on the fate of these chemicals, and assessing exposure and potential effects on fish, wildlife, and human health.U.S. Geological Survey Scientist Recognized as Highly Cited Researcher
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Edward T. Furlong has been designated a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher, ranking among the top 1 percent of researchers from 2003 to 2013 for most cited documents in their specific field (Environment/Ecology). He was listed in Thomson Reuters' "The World's Most Influential Scientific Minds 2015" report.Common Weed Killer is Widespread in the Environment
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists report that glyphosate, known commercially by many trade names, and its degradation product AMPA (aminomethylphosphonic acid) are transported off-site from agricultural and urban sources and occur widely in the environment. This study is the largest and most comprehensive assessment of the environmental occurrence of glyphosate and AMPA in the United States...Measuring POEA, a Surfactant Mixture in Herbicide Formulations
POEA (polyoxyethylene tallow amine) is a surfactant with known toxic effects on aquatic organisms. POEA was added to the original formulation of the herbicide glyphosate to aid in its application and effectiveness at controlling weeds. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists developing methods to measure POEA in the environment have shown that it’s a complex and variable mixture of related...Glyphosate Found in Wastewater Discharged to Streams
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world, and is widely used to control weeds in both agricultural fields and in urban and suburban settings. In 2002, USGS scientists sampled the wastewater discharged into streams from 10 wastewater treatment plants. Although the observed concentrations were small, these results are the first to demonstrate that the discharge from wastewater... - Publications