Welcome to the Aqueous Geochemistry Laboratory that is housed and under the supervision of Dr. Dee operated by the Hydrogeology Research Group at OU.
Primary Purposes:
•Fulfill geochemical research needs for the School of Geosciences
•Center for dissolved organic matter (DOM) analysis and characterization
•Routine water quality analysis
•Support for curriculum analytical needs
•Research training (undergraduate and graduate students)
•Support toxicological studies involving DOM and metals
Current Instrumentation
Current instrumentation and analytical support provided by Dr. Dee’s Aqueous Geochemistry Lab at OU. This page will be periodically updated as new instrumentation and equipment is added. If you are interested in submitting samples for analysis or using the facility as part of on-going research please contact Dr. Dee.
Dionex Integrion High-Pressure Ion Chromatography (HPIC)
The IC instrument will be primarily used to measure major anions (F–, Cl–, Br–, NO2–, NO3–, SO42-, PO43-) in aqueous samples. IC measures anions (and cations too) by ion exchange that occurs on resin surfaces and the resulting separation of ions by their respective charge. The IC instrument is preferred over other instruments with similar capabilities (i.e., HPLC) based on related performance properties (i.e., sensitivity, robustness, ease of use) as the ICP-OES. Furthermore, Dr. Dee has extensive experience (9 years) in the use of IC for the analysis of anions in aqueous samples. Typical detection limits for anions are in the mid-ppb concentrations which is more than sufficient for current research needs. IC instruments are also common in water quality labs that require water analysis for general water chemistry and nutrient (NO3– and PO43-). The IC can also be configured to analyze other anions (i.e., perchlorate) and cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NH4+, and Na+).
Thermo Scientific iCap Pro XP ICP-OES
The ICP-OES instrument will primarily be used to measure multiple elements (capability to measure nearly all elements minus gases from the period table of elements) in aqueous samples. ICP-OES instrumentation has been around since the 1970s and has similar analytical capabilities as atomic absorption spectrometers (AAs) and ICP-MS (mass spectrometers). ICP-OES is preferred over other types of instrumentation based on, instrument sensitivity (detect certain elements in the upper ppt or parts per trillion to low-ppb concentrations), ability to handle large numbers of samples (dozens of samples per day), robustness (handle different water matrices from brines to dilute waters), relative ease of use and low operational costs, and Dr. Dee’s extensive experience in its use. The last two points are key for training and operational use by students and others. This instrument is commonly used to support water quality laboratory needs to measure dozens of metals (cations and trace metals) in drinking water, stream water, and groundwater. Furthermore, the instrument can also be configured to analyze any mixture of select elements (including B, S, P, and Si) that suit your research needs. On average, ICP-OES analysis can measure dozens of elements in one sample (simultaneous detection) within a few minutes.
Horiba Aqualog Spectrophotometer
Acquired in fall 2018 to measure fluorescence and absorbance properties of DOM. The Aqualog is specifically designed to support CDOM research and therefore, has numerous functions to assist in data reduction and modeling efforts including PARAFAC.
Valuable for the measurement of CDOM (Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter).
UV/VIS Absorption capability for determining specific UV absorbance (SUVA) and specific absorbance coefficients (SAC) of DOM.
Fluorescence properties, Excitation-Emission Matrices (EEMs).
Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC) is used to model individual components (humic acid, fulvic acid, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids) found in DOM.
Shimadzu TOC-L
Acquired in fall 2018 for the analysis of total inorganic and organic carbon in aqueous solutions.
TOC detection limits in the low-ppb range.
DOC Isolation Support
The widely applied procedure first described by Thurman and Malcolm (1981) to isolate aquatic humic substances is used in Dr. Dee’s lab to isolate the hydrophobic components primarily consisting of the humic and fulvic acid portions of DOM.
Other Instrumentation
2022 – 2023 Fee Schedule
(Add fee schedule info here)
User Information and Forms
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