Methods Development

Methods development by the Organic Geochemistry Research Group consists of developing new methods for the analyses of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and their degradation products in environmental samples. These methods include: solid-phase extraction (SPE) for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Background and Facilities

The Organic Geochemistry Research Group moved from Denver, Colorado, to Lawrence, Kansas, to join the Kansas District in December 1987. The group has been in the new, modern laboratory on Quail Crest Place since 1990. The group has a close association with the Geology, Chemistry, and Engineering departments at the University of Kansas.

Equipment

Accelerated Solvent Extractor (ASE)
Automated Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE)
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)
Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
TurboVap Evaporator
UV/Visible Spectrophotometer
Walk-in Refrigerator

Goals of Methods Development

Methods development proceeds with three ideas in mind, as follows:

To develop analytical methods for herbicides and metabolites in soil and water that are important in water-quality studies.
To automate methods so that samples may be analyzed for water-quality surveys quickly and inexpensively.
To make methods simple and available for other offices of the USGS and researchers in universities at large.

Accomplishment of Methods Development

Degradation products of pesticides and pharmaceuticals in soil and water samples by solid-phase extraction
Automated pesticide analysis by GC/MS
ELISA for herbicides and microcystin
LC/MS and LC/MS/MS analysis of pesticides

For further information, contact: juliec@usgs.gov