The Metals Division analyzes trace elements in water, soil, sediment, tissue, and filters at the part-per-billion (ppb) level using EPA and NOAA methods. CESE’s most recent instrument acquisition is the Perkin Elmer/DRC-e Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS) with a CETAC Laser Ablation unit.
Recent projects supported by analyses in the Metals Division include:
- Assessment of chemical exposure and uptake of pollutants in commercially important shellfish species.
- Determination of elemental concentrations in support of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Program.
- Assessment of inorganic contaminants in global populations of sperm whales
Some of our clients and collaborators include:
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Biodiversity Research Institute
Available Intruments
| Instruments | Use |
| Perkin Elmer/DRC-e Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS) with a CETAC Laser Ablation unit | To determine elemental concentrations from a variety of matrices, including solid samples, at trace levels |
| Perkin Elmer Optima 7300DV Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP/OES) | To determine elemental concentrations from a variety of matrices at routine and trace levels |
| Perkin Elmer FIMS Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (CVAAS) | To determine total mercury concentrations in soil/sediment, water, and tissue at routine levels |
| Milestone DMA-80 Direct Mercury Analyzer | To determine elemental concentrations in solids at routine and trace levels |
|
Brooks Rand Model III Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer (CVAFS) |
To determine total, reactive, and organic mercury at extremely trace levels in precipitation, leaf litter, blood and other tissues |
|
TEKRAN 2600 Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer (CVAFS) |
To determine mercury at extremely trace levels in water and other liquid matrices |
|
Milestone Ethos Preparation Microwave |
To perform digestions on difficult matrices |
| Temperature-monitored, walk-in refrigeration room | To store samples |
| 3 Hot block digesters | To perform various inorganic tests |
| High-capacity 16-place rotary extractor | To perform EPA-required batch extraction |