Research and Development Office

Development of Methods for the Spectrophotometric Analysis of Water Supplies

Project ID: 1747
Principal Investigator: Jacque Keele
Research Topic: Invasive Species
Funded Fiscal Years: 2017 and 2018
Keywords: None

Research Question

What types of assays can be performed on the Cary-60 spectrophotometer that can enhance the work currently being performed by the RDLES laboratory? The identification of assays (such as nitrate/nitrite, calcium,and other contaminates of concern) that can be used to analyze water samples will help to enhance the capabilities of the RDLES laboratory. The goal of this project is to first identify assays related to water analysis that can be performed on the Cary-60 spectrophotometer. In addition, we will ask our clients if they have any suggestions for assays that they would like to have performed by RDLES. Once these assays are identified, the reagents and chemicals needed to perform the assay will be purchased, and a standard operating procedure will be developed for the assay. Currently, the RDLES Laboratory receives water samples from across the western United States that are analyzed for the presence of invasive quagga and zebra mussels. Having additional chemical assays to look at the water chemistry of these samples is important because it will enable us to gather more information about the impacts of the invasive mussels. We will focus on assays that will complement the current work being done in the laboratory.

Need and Benefit

Need: With the purchase of the new spectrophotometer, the RDLES Laboratory has gained a valuable resource that can enhance the laboratories ability to support its clients. Finding, validating, and writing standard operating procedures for the analysis of key indicators of water health and for environmental factors known to influence the ability of quagga and zebra mussels to establish colonies is an important activity.
Benefit: Currently, when Reclamation researchers want a sample analyzed for water quality parameters it has to be sent to a commercial laboratory. By creating standard operating procedures that can be performed in house, RDLES will be able to provide an additional option to these researchers.
Urgency: If the work is not funded the full potential of the new spectrophotometer might not be realized. It will be harder to develop assays for the instrument.

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Bureau of Reclamation Review

The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.

Development of Methods for the Spectrophotometric Analysis of Water Supplies (final, PDF, 1.4MB)
By Jacque Keele
Research Product completed on September 30, 2018

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