Metals Division
The Metals Division analyzes trace elements in water, soil, sediment, tissue, and filters at the part-per-billion (ppb) level using EPA and NOAA methods.
Laboratory scientists are highly experienced in the development and validation of custom methods to meet the needs of special projects. This laboratory is certified by the Connecticut Department of Public Health for the analysis of metals in non-potable waters and biological tissue.
Recent projects supported by analyses in the Metals Division include:
- Assessment of chemical exposure and uptake of mercury in fish from Connecticut Lakes.
- Determination of elemental concentrations in support of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Program.
- Assessment of inorganic contaminants in global populations of sperm whales.
- Validation of the chemical coatings on catalytic membranes used in energy production.
Some of our clients and collaborators include:
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
- GZA GeoEnvironmental
- Biodiversity Research Institute
- Northeast Aquatic Research
- Brawley Consulting Group, LLC
Available Instrumentation
Instruments |
Use |
| Perkin Elmer Elan/DRC-e Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS) | To determine elemental concentrations from a variety of matrices at trace levels |
| Perkin Elmer Optima 7300DV Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP/OES) | To determine elemental concentrations from a variety of matrices at routine and trace levels |
| Perkin Elmer FIMS Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (CVAAS) | To determine total mercury concentrations in soil/sediment, water, and tissue at routine levels |
| Milestone DMA-80 Direct Mercury Analyzer | To determine elemental concentrations in solids at routine and trace levels |
| Milestone Ethos Preparation Microwave | To perform digestions on difficult matrices |
| 3 Hot block digesters | To perform various inorganic tests |