The collaboratory is a shared laboratory that provides Oregon State University affiliates with access to low cost trace level, fresh water analysis instrumentation and procedures. Researchers can receive training on instrumentation and analyze samples themselves, or they can pay staff to run analyses for them.

The IWW's goals for the collaboratory are:

  • to encourage cooperative research,
  • to provide access to quality instrumentation dedicated to fresh water analyses,
  • to provide laboratory training opportunities, and
  • to help researchers minimize water analysis costs.

If you are beginning a project or looking for analysis equipment - please contact lab manager, Kathy Motter. She is pleased to give tours of the facility, discuss analysis methods, and provide training. She may even be able to acquire new instrumentation specific for your needs.

The collaboratory's location is in the Oak Creek Building and includes a well-equipped lab, an office workspace with computers for data download and analysis, and field supplies - check below for a complete list of instrumentation and capabilities.

Fees are kept to a minimum but vary depending on the equipment needed and whether the investigator will perform the analyses themselves. 

Other equipment will be added to the laboratory over time.  If you have specific needs, please let us know - we hope this lab will be a valuable resource for you!

IWW Collaboratory

Lab Instrumentation

Current instrumentation includes:

  • Agilent 7890A Gas Chromatograph with Autosampler -
    • Capability: organic compounds, halocarbons, inorganic gases and more
      • Configured with ICD, TCD and FID detectors
      • GS-GASPRO, HP-PLOT-Q and HP-5msi columns on hand
      • Dual S/Sl Inlets
      • 6-port gas sampling valve
  • Dionex Ion Chromatograph (Dionex ICS-1500 with Autosampler)
    • Capability: IC separation using conductivity detection, carbonate eluent
      • Anions: fluoride, chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, phosphate and sulfate
  • Shimadzu TOC-VSCH Combustion Carbon Analyzer (with Autosampler)
    • Capability: carbon analysis
      • Total and dissolved organic carbon
      • Inorganic carbon
      • Total carbon
  • Shimadzu UV-1700 UV-VIS Spectrophotometer (with computer interface)
    •   Capability:
      • Double Beam instrument with standard 10mm cuvette holder
      • range 190 – 1100nm; measure at discrete wavelength(s) instantly or kinetically, or scan a spectral range
  • Perkin-Elmer Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Perkin-Elmer AAnalyst-100)
    • Capability: Flame Atomic Absorption
      • Base cations: sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium (other elements to be added as necessary)
  • Lachat QuikChem 8500
    • Capability: nutrient analysis
      • ammonia-nitrogen, nitrate+nitrite-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, ortho phosphorus and silica
      • total nitrogen and total phosphorus
  • Radiometer TIM840 AutoTitrator
    • Capability: determination of pH, Alkalinity, Acidity
  • Peripheral Equipment
    • pH meter, conductivity meter, oven, balance, filtering equipment, sample bottle preparation, general lab use

Lachat

Other Resources

Field Instrumentation

  • YSI 30 Conductivity Meters
  • Extech pH Meter
  • Onset Hobos
  • Filtering Kits
  • GeoPump

Computer/Analysis Instrumentation

  • Windows computers with standard MS Office software and network capability for OSU account holders
  • Quiet workspace.

Other Supplies

  • Standard concentrates, eluent reagents and sample vials for all analyses are provided. 
  • Some glassware and sample bottles are available for use. 
  • Users are responsible for cleaning borrowed items using IWW cleaning protocols.  A fee will be charged for dirty glassware or clutter left in the lab.
  • Collaboratory equipment can only be used with clean, fresh water samples so that we can maintain the equipment for trace level analysis.  If you have point source contaminates, chemically treated samples or sample matrices other than fresh water, we will help direct you to appropriate self-service or analytical facilities available on campus.
  • General laboratory safety protocols as required by Environmental Health and Safety must be followed at all times by all lab users.