The Urban Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory encompasses several
different laboratories within Smith Hall.
1st floor labs
In 2010, the UEBL
was awarded a $1.4M National Science Foundation ARI grant to
renovate space on the first floor of Smith Hall.
Supplemented by funds from TU, these renovations have
recently been completed and the renovated space opened for
use in October 2012.This space provides the ideal infrastructure for the
multi-disciplinary approach to science that is the
foundation of all UEBL activities. Renovated spaces include
a sample intake lab, a clean sample processing lab, an
instrument lab and two exposure labs. The arrangement of the
facilities creates a logical work flow from sample intake
through instrumental analysis. The design of the facilities
incorporates modern laboratory best practices and an
appealing openness accomplished with a liberal use of glass
replacing opaque concrete walls, creating a more welcoming
and safe environment for faculty and student research.The renovations also emphasize energy efficiency
including the use of non-incandescent lighting systems with
motion sensors, and well-balanced HVAC systems.
Photographs of the new lab space can be seen
here.
Instruments housed in the new lab suite include
the ICP-MS, XRF, CN analyzer, and Shimadzu HPLC.
4th floor lab
The 4th floor lab houses 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 cleaner sample preparation.
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,
Agilent HPLC system, AA, two GC/MS systems, two UV-Vis spectrophotometers,
and a spectrofluorometer.
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
