C-HAWQ LAB RESOURCES
Our lab is outfitted with instruments and sample preparation equipment to extract and analyze almost any environmental pollutant, particularly those found in soil and water. We also have instrumentation to analyze materials, particularly plastics, at macro and micro scales using our FTIR and FTIR microscope. For field work, the C-HaWQ lab has access to sampling gear/equipment, trucks and boats through the College of Science & Engineering.
THERMO SCIENTIFIC TSQ 9000 EVO TRIPLE QUADRUPOLE GC-MS/MS
Full Description Coming Soon. This instrument was recently installed and was supported by the National Science Foundations Major Research Instrumentation grant program.
THERMO NICOLET IS10 FTIR WITH IN5 MICROSCOPE
THERMO SCIENTIFIC AUTOTRACE 280
This sample preparation instrument automates the solid-phase extraction process (SPE). SPE is a necessary step to concentrate and purify samples prior to analysis. In our lab, we will use it to extract pollutants (pharmaceuticals, personal care products, antibiotics, endocrine disruptors) from water and remove interferences from soil extracts when examining pesticides.
AutoTrace 280 automates a process that sometimes takes 6-8 hours of manual labor. Automation reduces the time needed for SPE and reduces solvent usage by up to 90% while increasing extraction consistency. The system can extract up to 6 samples at a time with pre-extraction volumes ranging from 20 mL to 4 L.
THERMO SCIENTIFIC DIONEX ASE 350
This instrument uses accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) to extract pollutants from solid matrixes (soil, sediment, plants, tissues). It is a fully automated process that can extract up to 24 samples in a single run. New ASE methods have been developed to simultaneously extract and perform sample cleanup. Thus reducing sample preparation time and eliminating the need for solid-phase extraction (SPE) with some target analytes.
ORGANOMATION 12 PORT NITROGEN EVAPORATOR
This evaporator uses nitrogen to concentrate sample extracts prior to analysis. During evaporation, the user has full control of gas flow to samples, resulting in less wasted nitrogen gas. The unit also has a heated water bath to decrease concentraiton times.
SHARED RESOURCES
Below is analytical instrumentation and equipment that is available for use by the C-HaWQ lab.
THERMO SCIENTIFIC ORBITRAP FUSION TRIBRID MASS SPECTROMETER
Our Thermo Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid Mass Spectrometer is housed in Dr. Hussain Abdulla's Lab. This state-of-the-art instrument has exceptional resolving capability allowing for the C-HaWQ lab to conduct non-targeted screening of pollutants.
These experiments will examine environmental contaminants that pose the greatest threat to organismal, ecosystem, and human health, rather than a random, predetermined, set of contaminants that may or may not be present in the environments we are studying. Additionally, this instrument is typically found with a front-end LC system, but Dr. Abdulla can also run samples using a GC or IC, further expanding this instrument's research potential.
THERMO SCIENTIFIC LC-MS
Full Description Coming Soon. This instrument is housed in the TAMUCC Chemistry Program but is an integral part of C-HaWQ lab research.
AGILENT GTA120 GRAPHITE TUBE ATOMIZER
This instrument is used to measure low concentrations of metals, including mercury, in environmental samples. While Dr. Conkle has not previously worked with metal pollution, the lab has the capability to measure their concentrations in various environmental matrixes.
VARIAN AA240FS FAST SEQUENTIONAL ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETER
This instrument is used to measure concentrations of metals, including mercury, in environmental samples. While Dr. Conkle has not previously worked with metal pollution, the lab has the capability to measure their concentrations in various environmental matrixes.
LABCONCO FREEZE DRY SYSTEM
This machine is used for sample preparation of solids. It will extract water from samples, simplifying extraction procedures that are complicated by moisture. Our lab will use this machine to remove moisture from soils and sediments prior to extraction with solvents.
CEM MARS XPRESS MICROWAVE DIGESTER
This machine digests samples, releasing target analytes from a matrix, making them ready for analysis. Typically it is used to prepare samples for metals analysis.
