Major ions such as Sulfate and Chloride are measured with an Ion Chromatograph
The Core Laboratories Project is a research support service of the WHCMSC which provides analytical and technical infrastructure, and supports of a range of projects associated with Coastal Biogeochemical Processes, Coastal Groundwater, and Sedimentology.
Geochemistry Lab
The Geochemistry lab provides high-quality geochemical data through processing and analyses of groundwater, surface water, sediment, and gas samples for a wide array of dissolved nutrients, carbon, radiochemical age-dating and stable isotopes. Coupled with expertise in deployment of multi-parameter optical sensors, we have the unique capability to make direct measurements of lateral fluxes to/from coastal wetlands of dissolved fractions of carbon and nutrients over longer time-scales.
Carbon Analysis
USGS-WHOI Dissolved Carbon Isotope Lab (DCIL) We maintain the capability for analysis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and stable carbon isotope analysis through a cooperative agreement with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) using equipment provided and jointly maintained by the USGS and WHOI. Through this cooperative, we also have access to instrumentation that allows us to measure carbon isotope of gases and semi-volatile compounds by gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
Radiochemistry
USGS/WHOI Gamma-counting and Radium-counting facility is used to measure the gamma emissions from dried sediment material for the determination of chronologies for sediment studies (210Pb, 137Cs, 234Th). Radium measurements of short-lived radium and radon isotope activities from water samples determine groundwater input to the coastal zone.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Nutrients and Water Quality
The Geochemistry Group maintains a number of multi-parameter water quality field sensors and ADCP’s which can be deployed for weeks or months at a time in surface water or in wells. These measure chemical parameters including Conductivity, Temperature, Depth, flow, pH, Turbidity, chlorophyll, Dissolved Oxygen, Dissolved Organic Matter (fDOM) and CO2.
The lab also maintains a discrete nutrient analyzer for the analysis of Nitrate, Phosphorus, Ammonium and Silica, and an Ion Chromatograph for measuring major ions such as Sulfate and Chloride.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sediment Core Sub-Sampling and Preparation
Sediment cores are sectioned, sub-sampled and processed at the WHSC for further analysis. Our labs contain freeze-drying and sediment grinding capabilities and the WHSC Sediment Lab conducts testing of physical properties such as grain-size distribution.
In addition to capabilities mentioned above, the Geochemistry Lab also maintains the following facilities on a continuing basis:
- DMA-80 mercury analyzer for measuring mercury distribution in fish and sediments.
- A class 10,000 ultra-clean space, providing particle- and contaminant-free space for low-level sample prep
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Environmental Geochemistry
Coastal Environmental Geochemistry research at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center spans multiple ecosystems and topics, including coastal wetlands, aquifers, and estuaries, with the goal of providing data and guidance to federal, state, local, and private land owners and managers on these vital ecosystems.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Ion Chromatograph
Major ions such as Sulfate and Chloride are measured with an Ion Chromatograph
Salt Marsh Well Sensor
A well sensor continuously monitors salinity, temperature, and water level in a salt marsh, Cape Cod, MA
A well sensor continuously monitors salinity, temperature, and water level in a salt marsh, Cape Cod, MA
Coulmeter
Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in water samples is measured with a UIC, Inc. Coulometer
Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in water samples is measured with a UIC, Inc. Coulometer
Gamma well detectors
Gamma well detectors are used to determine the ages of sediments based on activities of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides
Gamma well detectors are used to determine the ages of sediments based on activities of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides
Measuring water quality data, Cape Cod, MA
Wally Brooks records water quality data from a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
Wally Brooks records water quality data from a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
A Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creek
A Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
A Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
Westco discrete nutrient analyzer
Westco discrete nutrient analyzer measures low-levels of nutrients in water samples
Westco discrete nutrient analyzer measures low-levels of nutrients in water samples
The Core Laboratories Project is a research support service of the WHCMSC which provides analytical and technical infrastructure, and supports of a range of projects associated with Coastal Biogeochemical Processes, Coastal Groundwater, and Sedimentology.
Geochemistry Lab
The Geochemistry lab provides high-quality geochemical data through processing and analyses of groundwater, surface water, sediment, and gas samples for a wide array of dissolved nutrients, carbon, radiochemical age-dating and stable isotopes. Coupled with expertise in deployment of multi-parameter optical sensors, we have the unique capability to make direct measurements of lateral fluxes to/from coastal wetlands of dissolved fractions of carbon and nutrients over longer time-scales.
Carbon Analysis
USGS-WHOI Dissolved Carbon Isotope Lab (DCIL) We maintain the capability for analysis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and stable carbon isotope analysis through a cooperative agreement with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) using equipment provided and jointly maintained by the USGS and WHOI. Through this cooperative, we also have access to instrumentation that allows us to measure carbon isotope of gases and semi-volatile compounds by gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
Radiochemistry
USGS/WHOI Gamma-counting and Radium-counting facility is used to measure the gamma emissions from dried sediment material for the determination of chronologies for sediment studies (210Pb, 137Cs, 234Th). Radium measurements of short-lived radium and radon isotope activities from water samples determine groundwater input to the coastal zone.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Nutrients and Water Quality
The Geochemistry Group maintains a number of multi-parameter water quality field sensors and ADCP’s which can be deployed for weeks or months at a time in surface water or in wells. These measure chemical parameters including Conductivity, Temperature, Depth, flow, pH, Turbidity, chlorophyll, Dissolved Oxygen, Dissolved Organic Matter (fDOM) and CO2.
The lab also maintains a discrete nutrient analyzer for the analysis of Nitrate, Phosphorus, Ammonium and Silica, and an Ion Chromatograph for measuring major ions such as Sulfate and Chloride.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sediment Core Sub-Sampling and Preparation
Sediment cores are sectioned, sub-sampled and processed at the WHSC for further analysis. Our labs contain freeze-drying and sediment grinding capabilities and the WHSC Sediment Lab conducts testing of physical properties such as grain-size distribution.
In addition to capabilities mentioned above, the Geochemistry Lab also maintains the following facilities on a continuing basis:
- DMA-80 mercury analyzer for measuring mercury distribution in fish and sediments.
- A class 10,000 ultra-clean space, providing particle- and contaminant-free space for low-level sample prep
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Environmental Geochemistry
Coastal Environmental Geochemistry research at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center spans multiple ecosystems and topics, including coastal wetlands, aquifers, and estuaries, with the goal of providing data and guidance to federal, state, local, and private land owners and managers on these vital ecosystems.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Ion Chromatograph
Major ions such as Sulfate and Chloride are measured with an Ion Chromatograph
Major ions such as Sulfate and Chloride are measured with an Ion Chromatograph
Salt Marsh Well Sensor
A well sensor continuously monitors salinity, temperature, and water level in a salt marsh, Cape Cod, MA
A well sensor continuously monitors salinity, temperature, and water level in a salt marsh, Cape Cod, MA
Coulmeter
Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in water samples is measured with a UIC, Inc. Coulometer
Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in water samples is measured with a UIC, Inc. Coulometer
Gamma well detectors
Gamma well detectors are used to determine the ages of sediments based on activities of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides
Gamma well detectors are used to determine the ages of sediments based on activities of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides
Measuring water quality data, Cape Cod, MA
Wally Brooks records water quality data from a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
Wally Brooks records water quality data from a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
A Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creek
A Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
A Sontek IQ ADCP measures depth and velocity of a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
Westco discrete nutrient analyzer
Westco discrete nutrient analyzer measures low-levels of nutrients in water samples
Westco discrete nutrient analyzer measures low-levels of nutrients in water samples