The Urban Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory encompasses several
different laboratories within Smith Hall.
4th floor labs
The ICP-MS lab houses the Thermo (VG) PQ Excell ICP-MS system and
the GBC Optimass 9500 ICP-TOFMS, including
the LSX-213 laser ablation system. Student workstations provide
computer access for research projects. A metals-free clean room
within this lab allows for contamination-free sample preparation.
The X-ray lab houses the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and an
X-ray diffractometer, which is not part of UEBL. However, because
of extensive collaboration between the various groups and departments
within the College, most of the analytical instrumentation is available
for use by those in need.
5th floor labs
The environmental/analytical research lab is shared by several
faculty members. This lab provides bench and hood space for sample preparation
and analyses, such as pH determination.
The chromatography/spectroscopy labs house the ion chromatograph,
CN analyzer, two HPLC systems, AA, and two GC/MS systems, as well as a Cary 50 UV-Vis spectrophotometer
and a Horiba Jvon FluoroMax-4 spectrofluorometer.
1st floor lab
The first floor lab is used for bulk sample preparation. It contains
several drying ovens and furnaces, a freeze-dryer, a ball mill for
grinding samples, a hydraulic press for XRF pellet preparation,
a fused bead preparation area for XRF, and a cryotome for biological
sample preparation.
The Thermo (VG) PQ Excell ICP-MS
system measures concentrations of inorganic
elements as well as isotopic ratios. A CETAC
ASX-520HS auto-sampler allows for unattended operation.
The Bruker AXS S4 Explorer wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer measures elemental concentrations. Samples are either dissolved and made into a glass fusion bead or pressed as pellets for analysis. Almost any material that can be prepared in this manner can be analyzed by the XRF. A built-in auto-sampler allows for unattended operation.
The Shimadzu Prominence HPLC system characterizes and quantifies organic molecules, such as pesticides or caffeine, in the liquid phase. The system is equipped with a photo diode array detector (PDA), which is ideal for research and instructional use because of its capability to collect data over a range of wavelengths. The system also has a fluorescence detector for enhanced sensitivity. An auto-sampler allows for unattended operation.
The Agilent 1200 series HPLC
system characterizes and quantifies organic
molecules in the liquid phase. It is equipped
with a pump wash, external injection valve,
auto-sampler, heated column compartment, PDA and
fluorescence detectors, and a fraction collector.
The Dionex ICS-5000 ion chromatograph characterizes and quantifies anions, such as chloride, nitrate, and sulfate, and cations, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, in liquid samples. A
Dionex AS auto-sampler allows for random-access sampling and selection of injection volume.
The Thermo S4 atomic absorption spectrometer has both flame and graphite furnace (GFAA) capabilities for analysis of inorganic elements. It is equipped with a VP100 vapor phase introduction system that can be used for mercury, arsenic, and selenium analyses.
The Agilent 7890A/5975C
GC/MS system characterizes
and quantifies organic
molecules in the gas phase.
This instrument is also
equipped with an ECD
detector for environmental
analyses.
The GBC Optimass 9500 ICP-TOFMS
measures concentrations of
inorganic elements as well
as isotopic ratios. A
CETAC LSX-213 laser ablation
system allows for the
measurement of solid
samples, and a GeoMed
Analytical Cryocell 10
coupled to the laser
ablation system allows for
the measurement of solid
biological samples.
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
