Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory
The Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL) is located in Sacramento, CA as part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) California Water Science Center. The research team is filled with multidisciplinary scientists with experiences in method development, sample collection, sample preparation, and instrumental analysis.
The OCRL is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for the identification and quantification of trace level organic contaminants in a wide array of environmental media (water, sediment/soil, plants, biota, etc.).
The OCRL can conduct the elemental analysis of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. Through the application of these analytical techniques, our research aims to provide answers on the fate, degradation or metabolism, mobility, and effects of environmental organic contaminants.
Instrument Capabilities:
- Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
- Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry with Purge and Trap (GC/MS with P&T)
- Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS/MS)
- Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
- Liquid Chromatography High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC/HRMS)
- Elemental Analysis (CHN)
Other Analytical Techniques:
- Automated Extraction Systems:
- Accelerated Solvent Extractor (ASE) 200 and 350 (Thermo Scientific)
- EDGE (CEM)
- FreeZone 4.5 L Freeze Dryer (Labconco)
- Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)
- Geno/Grinder Automated Tissue Homogenizer and Cell Lyser (SPEX SamplePrep)
- Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) - column and dispersive