Soil and Low-Ionic-Strength Water Quality Laboratory

• Water Analysis Fee Schedule
• Soil Analysis Fee Schedule

The New York Water Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Troy, N.Y., operates a state-of-the-science laboratory for the chemical analysis of soil and water.  For over 20 years, the laboratory has specialized in analyses used in acid rain research and other environmental studies such as soil effects on forest health and logging effects on water quality. 

Services:

We provide accurate measurements of soil water, non-agricultural soils, stream water, and lake water, that can be adapted to the specific needs of each study.  Our services include sample processing and customized data reports. We can also provide copies of our Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), and Quality Control Reports, which include all QA/QC data.

Instrumentation:

Our instruments include an ion chromatograph, an inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer, a dissolved carbon analyzer, three flow-injection analyzers, a carbon-nitrogen analyzer for soil, an auto-titrator, a turbidimeter and a spectrophotometer.  All our instruments are linked through a customized laboratory information system that provides maximum data management efficiency.

Experience:

Our laboratory has provided data for the USGS and many external agencies and institutions, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Forest Service, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, National Park Service, and many academic and community groups.  Data produced in our laboratory have been published in hundreds of technical journals and agency reports.

 

Quality Assurance:

The laboratory participates in the USGS Standard Reference Sample program that includes both identified and blind reference samples, Environment Canada’s National Water Research Institute Ecosystem Interlaboratory QA Program, and the Northeastern Soil Monitoring Cooperative Reference Soil Sample Exchange Program.  Our laboratory receives periodic audits by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Our laboratory is certified by the New York State Department of Health’s Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP).

Related Publications

• Lincoln, T.A., Horan-Ross, D.A., McHale, M.R., and Lawrence, G.B., 2009, Quality-assurance data for routine water analyses by the U.S. Geological Survey Laboratory in Troy, New York--July 2001 through June 2003: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1232, 32 p., online only.
• Lincoln, T.A., Horan-Ross, D.A., McHale, M.R., and Lawrence, G.B., 2009, Quality-assurance data for routine water analyses by the U.S. Geological Survey Laboratory in Troy, New York--July 2003 through June 2005: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1233, 34 p., online only.
• Lincoln, T.A., Horan-Ross, D.A., McHale, M.R., and Lawrence, G.B., 2009, Quality-assurance data for routine water analyses by the U.S. Geological Survey Laboratory in Troy, New York--July 2005 through June 2007: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1234, 33 p., online only.

 

Location and Contacts:

Our Laboratory is located in the Rensselaer Technology Park at 425 Jordan Road, (North Greenbush) Troy, NY 12180.