The Water and Soil Analysis Laboratory

of the

 USGS New York Water Science Center, Troy, New York

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 water and soil.  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 stream water, lake water, soil water and non-agricultural soils 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. We are currently in the process of obtaining certification from the New York State Department of Health’s Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP).

 

Contacts:

For more information please contact either Tricia Lincoln (tarenga@usgs.gov) at 518-285-5612, Greg Lawrence (glawrenc@usgs.gov) at 518-285-5664, or Steve Wolcott (swolcott@usgs.gov) at 518-285-5676. Our Laboratory is located in the Rensselaer Technology Park at 425 Jordan Road, (North Greenbush) Troy, NY 12180.

 

A list of the available analyses and associated prices follows:

 

Low Ionic Strength Water Sample Schedules (2009)

Constituent

Schedule

Cost

Method

Calcium, Magnesium, Silicon, Aluminum, Potassium, Sodium

ICP-1

$20.74

Inductively Coupled Plasma- AES

Boron

ICP-2

$13.13

Inductively Coupled Plasma- AES

Iron

ICP-3

$13.13

Inductively Coupled Plasma- AES

Chloride, Nitrate, Sulfate

IC-1

$24.56

Ion Chromatography

Bromide

IC-2

$24.56

Ion Chromatography

Ammonium

FIA1-1

$15.87

Flow Injection Analysis- Phenolate

Organic Monomeric Aluminum, Total Monomeric Aluminum

FIA2-1

$9.38

Flow Injection Analysis- PCV

Total or Dissolved Organic Carbon

CA-1

$19.01

Carbon Analysis- UV Digestion/IR detection

pH, Specific Conductivity

AT-1

$20.15

Automated Unstirred Electrometric

Acid Neutralizing Capacity

AT-2

$20.15

Gran Titration

Fluoride

AT-3

$20.15

Ion Selective Electrode

Turbidity

TM-1

$4.34

Nephelometry

Temperature

T-1

$1.67

Field Temperature Probe

Total Dissolved Phosphorous

FIA4-1

$20.74

Flow Injection Analysis- Molybdate

Soluble Reactive Phosphorous (Orthophosphate)

FIA4-2

$20.74

Flow Injection Analysis- Molybdate

Total Recoverable Phosphorous (Total Phosphorous)

FIA4-3

$20.74

Flow Injection Analysis- Molybdate

Suspended Sediment Concentration (Analyzed @ Kentucky USGS)

KY-1

$32.13

Soil Sample Schedules (2009)

Constituent

Schedule

Cost*

Method

Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium (Including Extraction)

ICP-4

$26.65

Inductively Coupled Plasma- AES

Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonium  (Including KCl Extraction)

FIA1-2

$28.43

Flow Injection Analysis- Phenolate/Cadmium Reduction

pH in CaCl2

pH-1

$15.87

Electrometric

pH in H2O

pH-2

$15.87

Electrometric

Exchangeable Acidity (Including Extraction)

SMT-1

$26.65

Titration

 % Loss on Ignition

SL-1

$14.00

Combustion

Total Carbon, Total Nitrogen

CNS-1

$20.74

Elemental Analyzer

* Cost includes sample preparation (samples must be air dried before being received by the laboratory).