Establishment of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) laboratory for determination of chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs) in air and water samples


In Reply Refer To:                       December 29, 1994
Mail Stop 412 or
Mail Stop 411



OFFICE OF WATER QUALITY TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 95.02
OFFICE OF GROUND WATER TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 95.02

Subject:  Establishment of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
          laboratory for determination of chlorofluorocarbons
          (CFCs) in air and water samples

The purpose of this memorandum is to announce the availability of
analytical services for determination of the chlorofluorocarbons
CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-113 in air and water samples, and to set
policy and procedures for obtaining these services.  The
chlorofluorocarbon laboratory, coordinated by Julian E. Wayland,
is being established in Headquarters within the National Research
Program and supervised by Eurybiades Busenberg and Niel Plummer.

A form to request CFC analyses is provided as Attachment 1.  In
addition, Attachment 2 describes hydrologic applications of CFCs,
field sampling and site selection considerations, and logistical
aspects of the CFC laboratory.  In submitting samples to the CFC
laboratory, particular attention should be given to the sections
of Attachment 2 on "Samples that should not be submitted to the
Reston CFC laboratory," and on "Responsibilities of the project
requesting the service."

The establishment of the Reston CFC Laboratory provides greatly
enhanced capability to USGS projects for detecting and age-dating
young ground water.  We encourage use of this technique where such
information is likely to be of value.



      William M. Alley                David A. Rickert
      Chief, Office                   Chief, Office
      of Ground Water                 of Water Quality

2 Attachments

Keywords: Tracers

Distribution:  A, B, S, FO, PO