New USGS Field Method is a Breakthrough for Contaminant Analysis in Water Samples

The U.S. Geological Survey published a new report highlighting a portable continuous-flow centrifuge which aims to save time and money on contaminant analysis of particles suspended in water samples. A U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist holds a centrifuge bowl containing river suspended sediment for analysis of metals and organic chemicals. The sample was collected using a new in-field continuous-flow centrifugation technique to separate and collect suspended sediment from large volumes of water. The sample was collected on the Duwamish River, Washington in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Ecology and the National Water Quality Monitoring Council.

TACOMA, Wash. — The U.S. Geological Survey recently published a new techniques and methods report highlighting a portable continuous-flow centrifuge which aims to save time and money on contaminant analysis of particles suspended in water samples. In the past, contaminant analysis required the collection of large volume samples and separation of the water from the suspended sediment to obtain enough contaminant for reliable chemical analysis in the laboratory. Separation of suspended sediment from water in a laboratory is time consuming and costly. It requires shipping large amounts of water to a laboratory for separation or shipment of a […]