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FY25 Capabilities and Services

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By Kansas Water Science Center October 1, 2024

Organic Geochemistry Research Lab

(OGRL)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Kansas Water Science Center Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) was established in 1987. The OGRL is a multidisciplinary program that contributes knowledge about the distribution, fate, transport, and effects of new and understudied organic compounds that may affect human health and (or) ecosystems. 

The OGRL consists of two units: Algal and Other Environmental Toxins (AET) Unit and Environmental Organic Chemistry (EOC) Unit. The OGRL does independent and collaborative research, develops robust analytical methods, and provides fee-for-service analytical laboratory analyses.

Algal and Other Environmental Toxins Unit

The Algal and Environmental Toxins Unit has the capability to detect toxins that could be harmful to human health and the environment. 

OGRL Scientists standing near a dam spillway preparing to use a field Turbidimeter in the bed of a truck.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

 

  •  Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques in low and high salinity waters for the following toxins: anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, microcystin, and saxitoxin. 

     

  • Liquid chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry for the following: 

     

    •  Total and dissolved freshwater toxins (includes 13 analytes)

       

    •  Total and dissolved marine toxins (includes 9 analytes)

       

    • Total and dissolved freshwater and marine toxins (includes 21 analytes)

       

    •  Nontarget screening

 

Environmental Organic Chemistry Unit

Using state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques, the Environmental Organic Chemistry Unit analyzes samples from various matrices to determine the occurrence of organic contaminants in the environment. 

OGRL scientist standing in water using a net to collect fish during a visit to a fish hatchery in Kansas.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

  •  Sample preparation, including filtering, accelerated solvent extractions, bioassay extractions, and solid-phase extractions. 

     

  •  Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry methods in water and solids (soil, sediment, and biosolids) for the following: 

     

    •  Artificial sweeteners (includes 5 analytes) 

       

    •  Atrazine

       

    •  Glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate

       

    •  Four class antibiotic method (includes 33 analytes)

       

    • Pharmaceutical method (includes 84 compounds)

       

    • Hormones: androgens, conjugates, and estrogens (includes 32 analytes)

       

    •  Hormones: progestins (includes 11 analytes) 

       

    •  Hormones: phytoestrogens (includes 6 analytes)  

       

    •  Mycotoxins (includes 8 analytes)

       

    • Tire leachate: 6 PPD-quinone

 

FY25 OGRL Service List 

FY25 Sample Collection and Processing Directions 

 

 

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Photo of algal toxins in a creek

OGRL Algal Toxins Methods of Analysis

Algal toxins are a group of toxic compounds produced by a range of photosynthetic freshwater and marine plankton. These toxins have the ability to cause sickness in animals and humans and in severe cases lead to death. OGRL has the ability to evaluate and conduct occurrence, fate, transport, effects, and treatability studies methods.
By
Kansas Water Science Center
link

OGRL Algal Toxins Methods of Analysis

Algal toxins are a group of toxic compounds produced by a range of photosynthetic freshwater and marine plankton. These toxins have the ability to cause sickness in animals and humans and in severe cases lead to death. OGRL has the ability to evaluate and conduct occurrence, fate, transport, effects, and treatability studies methods.
Learn More

Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

No results found.

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 107

Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams, 1999-2000: A national reconnaissance

To provide the first nationwide reconnaissance of the occurrence of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs) in water resources, the U.S. Geological Survey used five newly developed analytical methods to measure concentrations of 95 OWCs in water samples from a network of 139 streams across 30 states during 1999 and 2000. The selection of sampling sites...
Authors
D.W. Kolpin, E. T. Furlong, M. T. Meyer, E.M. Thurman, S.D. Zaugg, L. B. Barber, H. T. Buxton
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Kansas Water Science Center

Method of analysis and quality-assurance practices by the U. S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group—Determination of four selected mosquito insecticides and a synergist in water using liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatography/mass

A method of analysis and quality-assurance practices were developed for the determination of four mosquito insecticides (malathion, metho-prene, phenothrin, and resmethrin) and one synergist (piperonyl butoxide) in water. The analytical method uses liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Good precision and accuracy were demonstrated in reagent...
Authors
L.R. Zimmerman, A.P. Strahan, E.M. Thurman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group--Update and additions to the determination of chloroacetanilide herbicide degradation compounds in water using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

An analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1999 for the analysis of selected chloroacetanilide herbicide degradation compounds in water. These compounds were acetochlor ethane sulfonic acid (ESA), acetochlor oxanilic acid (OXA), alachlor ESA, alachlor OXA, metolachlor ESA, and metolachlor...
Authors
E.A. Lee, J.L. Kish, L.R. Zimmerman, E. Thurman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Occurrence of cyanazine compounds in groundwater: Degradates more prevalent than the parent compound

A recently developed analytical method using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to investigate the occurrence of cyanazine and its degradates cyanazine acid (CAC), cyanazine amide (CAM), deethylcyanazine (DEC), and deethylcyanazine acid (DCAC) in groundwater. This research represents some of the earliest data on the occurrence of cyanazine degradates in groundwater...
Authors
D.W. Kolpin, E.M. Thurman, S. M. Linhart
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Choosing between atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and electrospray ionization interfaces for the HPLC/MS analysis of pesticides

An evaluation of over 75 pesticides by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) clearly shows that different classes of pesticides are more sensitive using either atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) or electrospray ionization (ESI). For example, neutral and basic pesticides (phenylureas, triazines) are more sensitive using APCI (especially positive...
Authors
E.M. Thurman, I. Ferrer, D. Barcelo
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Detection of pesticides and pesticide metabolites using the cross reactivity of enzyme immunoassays

Enzyme immunoassay is an important environmental analysis method that may be used to identify many pesticide analytes in water samples. Because of similarities in chemical structure between various members of a pesticide class, there often may be an unwanted response that is characterized by a percentage of cross reactivity. Also, there may be cross reactivity caused by degradation...
Authors
E.M. Thurman, D.S. Aga
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Regional water-quality analysis of 2,4-D and dicamba in river water using gas chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Gas chromatography with isotope dilution mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used in regional National Water Quality Assessment studies of the herbicides, 2,4-D and dicamba, in river water across the United States. The GC-MS method involved solid-phase extraction, derivatized with deuterated 2,4-D, and analysis by selected ion monitoring. The...
Authors
E.M. Thurman, L.R. Zimmerman, D.S. Aga, R. J. Gilliom
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Differentiating nonpoint sources of deisopropylatrazine in surface water using discrimination diagrams

Pesticide degradates account for a significant portion of the pesticide load in surface water. Because pesticides with similar structures may degrade to the same degradate, it is important to distinguish between different sources of parent compounds that have different regulatory and environmental implications. A discrimination diagram, which is a sample plot of chemical data that...
Authors
M. T. Meyer, E.M. Thurman, D. A. Goolsby
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Analysis of trace levels of sulfonamide and tetracycline antimicrobials in groundwater and surface water using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the trace analysis of two classes of antimicrobials consisting of six sulfonamides (SAs) and five tetracyclines (TCs), which commonly are used for veterinary purposes and agricultural feed additives and are suspected to leach into ground and surface water. The method used solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with...
Authors
M.E. Lindsey, M. Meyer, E.M. Thurman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Formation and transport of the sulfonic acid metabolites of alachlor and metolachlor in soil

Alachlor and metolachlor are dechlorinated and transformed into their corresponding ethane sulfonic acid (ESA) metabolites in soil. In a field-disappearance study, it was shown that alachlor ESA was formed at a faster rate and at concentrations 2−4 times higher than metolachlor ESA, conforming with the observed longer disappearance half-life of metolachlor (15.5 d) in the field as...
Authors
D.S. Aga, E.M. Thurman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program

Determination of chloroacetanilide herbicide metabolites in water using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection and high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Analytical methods using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) were developed for the analysis of the following chloroacetanilide herbicide metabolites in water: alachlor ethanesulfonic acid (ESA); alachlor oxanilic acid; acetochlor ESA; acetochlor oxanilic acid; metolachlor ESA; and...
Authors
K.A. Hostetler, E.M. Thurman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Kansas Water Science Center Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) was established in 1987. The OGRL is a multidisciplinary program that contributes knowledge about the distribution, fate, transport, and effects of new and understudied organic compounds that may affect human health and (or) ecosystems. 

The OGRL consists of two units: Algal and Other Environmental Toxins (AET) Unit and Environmental Organic Chemistry (EOC) Unit. The OGRL does independent and collaborative research, develops robust analytical methods, and provides fee-for-service analytical laboratory analyses.

Algal and Other Environmental Toxins Unit

The Algal and Environmental Toxins Unit has the capability to detect toxins that could be harmful to human health and the environment. 

OGRL Scientists standing near a dam spillway preparing to use a field Turbidimeter in the bed of a truck.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

 

  •  Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques in low and high salinity waters for the following toxins: anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, microcystin, and saxitoxin. 

     

  • Liquid chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry for the following: 

     

    •  Total and dissolved freshwater toxins (includes 13 analytes)

       

    •  Total and dissolved marine toxins (includes 9 analytes)

       

    • Total and dissolved freshwater and marine toxins (includes 21 analytes)

       

    •  Nontarget screening

 

Environmental Organic Chemistry Unit

Using state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques, the Environmental Organic Chemistry Unit analyzes samples from various matrices to determine the occurrence of organic contaminants in the environment. 

OGRL scientist standing in water using a net to collect fish during a visit to a fish hatchery in Kansas.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

  •  Sample preparation, including filtering, accelerated solvent extractions, bioassay extractions, and solid-phase extractions. 

     

  •  Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry methods in water and solids (soil, sediment, and biosolids) for the following: 

     

    •  Artificial sweeteners (includes 5 analytes) 

       

    •  Atrazine

       

    •  Glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate

       

    •  Four class antibiotic method (includes 33 analytes)

       

    • Pharmaceutical method (includes 84 compounds)

       

    • Hormones: androgens, conjugates, and estrogens (includes 32 analytes)

       

    •  Hormones: progestins (includes 11 analytes) 

       

    •  Hormones: phytoestrogens (includes 6 analytes)  

       

    •  Mycotoxins (includes 8 analytes)

       

    • Tire leachate: 6 PPD-quinone

 

FY25 OGRL Service List 

FY25 Sample Collection and Processing Directions 

 

 

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Photo of algal toxins in a creek

OGRL Algal Toxins Methods of Analysis

Algal toxins are a group of toxic compounds produced by a range of photosynthetic freshwater and marine plankton. These toxins have the ability to cause sickness in animals and humans and in severe cases lead to death. OGRL has the ability to evaluate and conduct occurrence, fate, transport, effects, and treatability studies methods.
By
Kansas Water Science Center
link

OGRL Algal Toxins Methods of Analysis

Algal toxins are a group of toxic compounds produced by a range of photosynthetic freshwater and marine plankton. These toxins have the ability to cause sickness in animals and humans and in severe cases lead to death. OGRL has the ability to evaluate and conduct occurrence, fate, transport, effects, and treatability studies methods.
Learn More

Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

No results found.

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 107

Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams, 1999-2000: A national reconnaissance

To provide the first nationwide reconnaissance of the occurrence of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs) in water resources, the U.S. Geological Survey used five newly developed analytical methods to measure concentrations of 95 OWCs in water samples from a network of 139 streams across 30 states during 1999 and 2000. The selection of sampling sites...
Authors
D.W. Kolpin, E. T. Furlong, M. T. Meyer, E.M. Thurman, S.D. Zaugg, L. B. Barber, H. T. Buxton
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Kansas Water Science Center

Method of analysis and quality-assurance practices by the U. S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group—Determination of four selected mosquito insecticides and a synergist in water using liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatography/mass

A method of analysis and quality-assurance practices were developed for the determination of four mosquito insecticides (malathion, metho-prene, phenothrin, and resmethrin) and one synergist (piperonyl butoxide) in water. The analytical method uses liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Good precision and accuracy were demonstrated in reagent...
Authors
L.R. Zimmerman, A.P. Strahan, E.M. Thurman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group--Update and additions to the determination of chloroacetanilide herbicide degradation compounds in water using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

An analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1999 for the analysis of selected chloroacetanilide herbicide degradation compounds in water. These compounds were acetochlor ethane sulfonic acid (ESA), acetochlor oxanilic acid (OXA), alachlor ESA, alachlor OXA, metolachlor ESA, and metolachlor...
Authors
E.A. Lee, J.L. Kish, L.R. Zimmerman, E. Thurman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Occurrence of cyanazine compounds in groundwater: Degradates more prevalent than the parent compound

A recently developed analytical method using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to investigate the occurrence of cyanazine and its degradates cyanazine acid (CAC), cyanazine amide (CAM), deethylcyanazine (DEC), and deethylcyanazine acid (DCAC) in groundwater. This research represents some of the earliest data on the occurrence of cyanazine degradates in groundwater...
Authors
D.W. Kolpin, E.M. Thurman, S. M. Linhart
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Choosing between atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and electrospray ionization interfaces for the HPLC/MS analysis of pesticides

An evaluation of over 75 pesticides by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) clearly shows that different classes of pesticides are more sensitive using either atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) or electrospray ionization (ESI). For example, neutral and basic pesticides (phenylureas, triazines) are more sensitive using APCI (especially positive...
Authors
E.M. Thurman, I. Ferrer, D. Barcelo
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Detection of pesticides and pesticide metabolites using the cross reactivity of enzyme immunoassays

Enzyme immunoassay is an important environmental analysis method that may be used to identify many pesticide analytes in water samples. Because of similarities in chemical structure between various members of a pesticide class, there often may be an unwanted response that is characterized by a percentage of cross reactivity. Also, there may be cross reactivity caused by degradation...
Authors
E.M. Thurman, D.S. Aga
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Regional water-quality analysis of 2,4-D and dicamba in river water using gas chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Gas chromatography with isotope dilution mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used in regional National Water Quality Assessment studies of the herbicides, 2,4-D and dicamba, in river water across the United States. The GC-MS method involved solid-phase extraction, derivatized with deuterated 2,4-D, and analysis by selected ion monitoring. The...
Authors
E.M. Thurman, L.R. Zimmerman, D.S. Aga, R. J. Gilliom
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Differentiating nonpoint sources of deisopropylatrazine in surface water using discrimination diagrams

Pesticide degradates account for a significant portion of the pesticide load in surface water. Because pesticides with similar structures may degrade to the same degradate, it is important to distinguish between different sources of parent compounds that have different regulatory and environmental implications. A discrimination diagram, which is a sample plot of chemical data that...
Authors
M. T. Meyer, E.M. Thurman, D. A. Goolsby
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Analysis of trace levels of sulfonamide and tetracycline antimicrobials in groundwater and surface water using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the trace analysis of two classes of antimicrobials consisting of six sulfonamides (SAs) and five tetracyclines (TCs), which commonly are used for veterinary purposes and agricultural feed additives and are suspected to leach into ground and surface water. The method used solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with...
Authors
M.E. Lindsey, M. Meyer, E.M. Thurman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Formation and transport of the sulfonic acid metabolites of alachlor and metolachlor in soil

Alachlor and metolachlor are dechlorinated and transformed into their corresponding ethane sulfonic acid (ESA) metabolites in soil. In a field-disappearance study, it was shown that alachlor ESA was formed at a faster rate and at concentrations 2−4 times higher than metolachlor ESA, conforming with the observed longer disappearance half-life of metolachlor (15.5 d) in the field as...
Authors
D.S. Aga, E.M. Thurman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program

Determination of chloroacetanilide herbicide metabolites in water using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection and high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Analytical methods using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) were developed for the analysis of the following chloroacetanilide herbicide metabolites in water: alachlor ethanesulfonic acid (ESA); alachlor oxanilic acid; acetochlor ESA; acetochlor oxanilic acid; metolachlor ESA; and...
Authors
K.A. Hostetler, E.M. Thurman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Kansas Water Science Center
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