Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.
Organic Chemistry Research Core Technology Team
Active
By Environmental Health Program
March 7, 2024
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis.
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 Research
The Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program focuses on the identification and quantitation of trace level organic contaminants (with a special focus on pesticides) in a wide array of environmental media (water, sediment/soil, plants, biota, etc.).
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
The Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory CTT develops targeted analytical methods for the quantitation of chemicals that can impact the health of organisms and humans.
This work focuses on contaminants and emerging issues including pesticides, other agrochemicals (nitrification inhibitors, herbicide safeners), disinfection by-products, quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), and multiple other anthropogenic chemicals and their transformation products.
Key Instrumentation
- Two gas chromatograph single quadrupole mass spectrometers for chemical quantitation (water, sediment, tissue)
- Gas chromatograph triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for chemical quantitation (tissue and sediments)
- Liquid chromatograph triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for chemical quantitation (water, sediment, tissue)
- Liquid chromatograph high resolution mass spectrometer for chemical quantitation and identification
- Extraction equipment for working with a variety of sample matrices
Key Analytical Capabilities
- Pesticides and pesticide degradates
- Custom method/matrix development
- Ability to measure environmentally relevant concentrations in small sample volumes.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Science Team Collaborators
Science Team Collaborators
-
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.Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Science Team
The team studies toxicants and pathogens in water resources from their sources, through watersheds, aquifers, and infrastructure to human and wildlife exposures. That information is used to develop decision tools that protect human and wildlife health.Energy Integrated Science Team
The Energy Lifecycle Integrated Science Team focuses on the potential for contaminant exposures in the environment that might originate from energy resource activities including, extraction, production, transportation, storage, extraction, waste management and restoration. Perceived health risks to humans and other organisms will be distinguished from actual risks, if any. If actual risks are...
Science activities related to the Organic Chemistry Research Core Technology Team can be found below.
Pesticide Fate Research Group (PFRG)
Pesticides are used in both agricultural and urban settings to manage unwanted plants, insects, fungi, and other pests. However, these substances and their breakdown products can move beyond their intended application sites through various means, ending up in areas where they weren't meant to be. This movement can happen via the air, through water (both surface and groundwater), and by sticking to...
Multimedia items related to the Organic Chemistry Research Core Technology Team can be found below.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.
Water samples are extracted for pesticides.
Water samples are extracted for pesticides at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory.
Photo credit: Elisabeth LaBarbera
Water samples are extracted for pesticides at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory.
Photo credit: Elisabeth LaBarbera
Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GCMS) used for pesticide analysis
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer - GCMS
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer - GCMS
Pollen samples from various plants collected from hedgerows
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory -- Sacramento, California. Small sample bottles with pollen inside
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory -- Sacramento, California. Small sample bottles with pollen inside
A U.S. Geological Survey chemist evaporating sample extracts
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. USGS chemist working with samples in a laboratory hood
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. USGS chemist working with samples in a laboratory hood
U.S. Geological Survey chemist homogenizes a tissue sample
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. USGS chemist homogenizes a tissue sample into a mortar and pestle
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. USGS chemist homogenizes a tissue sample into a mortar and pestle
About the Research
The Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program focuses on the identification and quantitation of trace level organic contaminants (with a special focus on pesticides) in a wide array of environmental media (water, sediment/soil, plants, biota, etc.).
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
The Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory CTT develops targeted analytical methods for the quantitation of chemicals that can impact the health of organisms and humans.
This work focuses on contaminants and emerging issues including pesticides, other agrochemicals (nitrification inhibitors, herbicide safeners), disinfection by-products, quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), and multiple other anthropogenic chemicals and their transformation products.
Key Instrumentation
- Two gas chromatograph single quadrupole mass spectrometers for chemical quantitation (water, sediment, tissue)
- Gas chromatograph triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for chemical quantitation (tissue and sediments)
- Liquid chromatograph triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for chemical quantitation (water, sediment, tissue)
- Liquid chromatograph high resolution mass spectrometer for chemical quantitation and identification
- Extraction equipment for working with a variety of sample matrices
Key Analytical Capabilities
- Pesticides and pesticide degradates
- Custom method/matrix development
- Ability to measure environmentally relevant concentrations in small sample volumes.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Science Team Collaborators
Science Team Collaborators
-
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.Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Science Team
The team studies toxicants and pathogens in water resources from their sources, through watersheds, aquifers, and infrastructure to human and wildlife exposures. That information is used to develop decision tools that protect human and wildlife health.Energy Integrated Science Team
The Energy Lifecycle Integrated Science Team focuses on the potential for contaminant exposures in the environment that might originate from energy resource activities including, extraction, production, transportation, storage, extraction, waste management and restoration. Perceived health risks to humans and other organisms will be distinguished from actual risks, if any. If actual risks are...
Science activities related to the Organic Chemistry Research Core Technology Team can be found below.
Pesticide Fate Research Group (PFRG)
Pesticides are used in both agricultural and urban settings to manage unwanted plants, insects, fungi, and other pests. However, these substances and their breakdown products can move beyond their intended application sites through various means, ending up in areas where they weren't meant to be. This movement can happen via the air, through water (both surface and groundwater), and by sticking to...
Multimedia items related to the Organic Chemistry Research Core Technology Team can be found below.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.
Water samples are extracted for pesticides.
Water samples are extracted for pesticides at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory.
Photo credit: Elisabeth LaBarbera
Water samples are extracted for pesticides at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory.
Photo credit: Elisabeth LaBarbera
Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GCMS) used for pesticide analysis
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer - GCMS
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer - GCMS
Pollen samples from various plants collected from hedgerows
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory -- Sacramento, California. Small sample bottles with pollen inside
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory -- Sacramento, California. Small sample bottles with pollen inside
A U.S. Geological Survey chemist evaporating sample extracts
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. USGS chemist working with samples in a laboratory hood
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. USGS chemist working with samples in a laboratory hood
U.S. Geological Survey chemist homogenizes a tissue sample
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. USGS chemist homogenizes a tissue sample into a mortar and pestle
Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory — Sacramento, California. USGS chemist homogenizes a tissue sample into a mortar and pestle