USGS Water-Quality Information
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USGS Laboratories
Branch of Quality SystemsThe USGS Branch of Quality Systems monitors, assures, and improves the quality of USGS analytical water-quality data through proficiency testing and by documenting variability and bias of analytical results of USGS laboratories. Mercury Research LaboratoryThe USGS Mercury Research Laboratory (MRL) provides assistance and support for USGS regional and national projects in the collection and analysis of low-level mercury samples using ultra trace level clean collection and analytical methods. National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL)The USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) conducts laboratory analyses for USGS water-resources investigations. NWQL determines organic and inorganic constituents in samples of groundwater and surface water, river and lake sediment, aquatic plant and animal material, and in precipitation samples. Ohio Water Microbiology LaboratoryThe USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory (OWML) works with government agencies, academic institutions, and other partners to study the quality of national, state, and local water resources. The OWML is involved in investigations of processes that affect microorganisms in the environment and testing of new methods to improve detection and interpretation of microbiological presence in water. Organic Geochemistry Research LaboratoryThe USGS Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) focuses on the fate, transport, and degradation of organic contaminants in the environment and on the effect of emerging contaminants on water. OGRL combines these issues with analytical methods to determine and link to geochemical and hydrologic processes. Reston Chlorofluorocarbon LaboratoryThe USGS Reston Chlorofluorocarbon Laboratory provides the USGS with analytical services for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), sulfur hexafluoride, and dissolved gases and administers the USGS contract for tritium/helium-3 dating. The data generated are used in hydrologic studies to trace the flow of young water and to determine the time elapsed since recharge. Reston Stable Isotope LaboratoryThe USGS Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory conducts research on the use of isotope ratio measurements in studies of water resources and environmental quality. The Laboratory contributes to the improvement of measurement science and the development of isotope databases and provides isotope analyses on a routine basis to a large user community within the USGS and elsewhere. Sediment LaboratoriesThe USGS maintains sediment laboratories at the Water Science Centers and offices listed below. The services provided vary according to the needs and expertise of the specific laboratory and are available for internal USGS use or by contract through the respective Science Center to other government agencies by virtue of cooperative agreements for work being performed with the USGS. |