Transcript WATERS Laboratory

Analytical Services
May 19, 2009
Gretchen Grover –Lab Manager and Analyst
Christal Wade - Principal Cryptosporidium Analyst
Jonathan Oglesby-Cryptosporidium Analyst
Rick Fowler – Environmental Biotechnologist, Inorganic Analyst
Jana Fattic – CWRS Associate Director, WATERS Director, Lab Analyst
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Office Associate: Kristy Mayes
Part Time: Liz Thomas (Cryptosporidium
Technician), Samantha Kramer (Chemist)
Students: Kriss Leftwich, Daniel Nedvidek,
Catherine Skees, Jennifer Ludden (Gatton
Academy), Ben Fowler (IC, AA student analyst)
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Private
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Wastewater
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Storm water
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Drinking water
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Source water
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Oil Wells
◦ Total Coliform/E. Coli, Metals, Ions, Atrazine
◦ BOD, pH, TRC, DO, TSS, Fecal Coliform, Ammonia Nitrogen
◦ COD, Oil and Grease, TDS, TSS
◦ Total Coliform/E.Coli
◦ Cryptosporidium
◦ pH, TDS, Specific Gravity, Chloride
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Drinking Water Certification
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Inorganic Certification
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Cryptosporidium
◦ KY Microbiology Laboratory Certification Program
(KMLCP)
◦ Renewed January 2009
◦ Currently the largest (KMLCP) Certified Analytical
Staff in the State
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Christal Wade
Jonathan Olglesby
Jana Fattic
Rick Fowler
Gretchen Grover
Liz Thomas
Rick Fowler
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Computer-controlled automated instruments
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Ion Exchange Chromatography
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Operators: One staff supervisor, one student analyst
Dionex DX600 system with background suppression and
detection by conductivity or UV-Vis absorbance
Anions (F, Cl, Br, NO2, NO3, PO4, SO4) and cations (Li, Na, K,
Mg, Ca, and NH4+), MDL <0.05-0.1 ppm
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
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Varian AA240FS with graphite furnace and flame capabilities
Trace metals, MDL <0.0005-0.001 ppm
Gretchen Grover
 pH, alkalinity, turbidity, TOC, TDS, odor
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WATERS Lab received approval from EPA for the analysis
of Cryptosporidium on October 18, 2006.
◦ Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
(LT2)
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Currently approximately 70 clients from 8 states:
KY, TN, WV, VA, OH, NC, LA, MD
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Crypto Program bills out ~$25,000 each month
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Accept outside samples under LT2 and provides field
filtration apparatus
◦ www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/LT2/lab_aprvlab
s.html
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Mammoth Cave
◦ Flood Pulse Event
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City of Bowling Green
◦ River & Cave System monitoring
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Watershed Watch
◦ Upper Green River watershed monitoring
(Turbidity and Atrazine)
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TMDL
◦ Analyzing samples for this project
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University Research
◦ Support WKU faculty as well as other university projects
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Cave monitoring (atrazine, solids)
Wastewater treatment/nanoparticles (TOC)
DOW
◦ Data Collection for Nutrient Criteria Development in the Karst Pennyroyal Region of KY
◦ About 50 sites, 3 sampling events, in stream water quality data (pH, DO, temp) and lab analyses
(TP, NH3, TKN)
Projects completed
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Mammoth Cave sediments bacterial
community analysis (2000-2008)
NCKRI artificial substrates bacterial
community analysis (2002-2008)
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Final report for both projects combined into one
report published on the Karst Information Portal
and available at
www.wku.edu/~rick.fowler/mammoth
Information gained from these studies led to
discovery of fecal contamination resulting in
multimillion dollar infrastructure reformations
at MCNP visitor center
Projects completed
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Oregon Caves National Monument tourist trail
impact on microbial communities (2002-2006)
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Louisville Water Company
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Identified numerous bacteria, fungi, and protozoans
and discovered sulfur bacteria later observed by other
investigators now believed to be widespread in caves
Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria in distribution system
Acanthamoeba in eyewash stations
KSU Aquaculture Research Center
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DNA analysis of bacteria, algae, and fungi used to
evaluate conditions for optimal shrimp production
New projects
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USDA Animal Waste Research Station
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Develop methods for identification of animal origins of
fecal contamination from human and agricultural
sources
Study transport of pathogens from the surface into
subsurface aquifers due to agricultural practices on
karst landscapes
Institute research and training programs at the newly
founded Crump’s Cave preserve near Mammoth Cave
National Park
Environmental Biotechnology
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DNA extraction from water, soil, membrane
filters, pure cultures, swabs, etc.
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Quantitative Real-Time PCR
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Yield of total DNA measured with Qubit
fluorometer, sensitivity 0.2 x 10-12 g
Determines concentration of DNA from specific
organisms in a mixture, sensitivity <1 ppt
DNA cloning and sequencing
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Cloning permits segregation of individual species
comprising environmental microbial communities
DNA sequencing yields unique gene sequences for
identification of organisms
Organisms analyzed with DNA
Bacteria
Fungi
Amoebae
Parasites
Algae
Zooplankton
Scientific Outreach,
Presentations, and Workshops
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National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI)
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China Environmental Health Project
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2009 (Agricultural practices outreach and education)
International Karst Research Institute
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2007 (International Karst Workshop, ChongQing)
Crump’s Cave Farm Day
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2007-present (Advisory board member)
2009 (17th International Karstological School, Postojna, Slovenia)
International Congress of Speleology
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2009 (Kerrville, Texas)
Career Day for Middle School Students
Chemistry
Hach LBOD
 Konelab
Hach Spec (COD, Surfactants, TRC)
 GC MS
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Microbiology
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Microcentrifuge
◦ Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR2)
◦ Organics (Work toward a GC MS/MS and HPLC)
◦ Direct the Chemical Laboratory Certification Program for
Kentucky
◦ Voluntary Wastewater Certification
◦ Pick up service
◦ Consultation services
◦ Sample collection services