The Environmental Engineering Laboratories
Laboratory Manager
Shared Equipment Available for UMD Users
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES)
Detection and quantification of multiple metals in solution.
This instrument is listed on the Maryland NanoCenter Equipment Scheduler.
Total Organic Carbon/Total Nitrogen (TOC/TN) Analyzer
Determine Total Organic content of liquid and solid samples.
Determine Total Nitrogen content in liquid samples.
Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (GFAAS)
Determine concentrations of individual metals to the ppb level.
Interested in using an instrument? Please fill out the form below.
Other Instruments and Equipment
Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (UHPLC/MS/MS)
Separation of analytes in solution followed by mass analysis. System allows for high throughput and sensitive analysis, producing separation of many compounds with short run times.
Contact: Marya Anderson at morf@umd.edu
Gas Chromatograph (GC) with Flame Ionization Detector (FID) and Electron Capture Detector (ECD) and Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (MSD)
Separation of analytes that can be vaporized without decomposition. Three types of detectors are available for a broad range of uses.
Gas Chromatograph (GC) with Flame Ionization Detector (FID) and Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD)
Separation of analytes that can be vaporized without decomposition, with two types of detectors.
Contact: Marya Anderson at morf@umd.edu
Microwave Accelerated Reaction System
Microwave extraction allows for liquid/solvent extraction of organic pollutants from solid and sludge samples.
Ion Chromatography (IC)
For ion separation and analysis in aqueous samples.
Particle Size Analyzer
Fast, efficient characterization of nanometer to millimeter-sized particles
Discrete Nutrient Analyzer
Automated wet chemistry analysis for quantifying various nutrients.
Real-time PCR system
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) applications, with ability to use tubes, plates and reagents of choice. Amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule.
Conventional PCR Thermocyclers
Allows for PCR amplification using conventional protocols. Includes gradient thermocycler option.
NanoDrop2000 Spectrophotometer
Allows for measurement of the concentration and purity of DNA, RNA or protein samples.
Sarvant FastPrep Cell Disruptor
Cell Disruptor for lysis of cell from environmental samples.
FluorChem FC3 Imager
The imaging system allows for image acquisition for common fluorescent and chemiluminescent applications. Used for imaging of DNA and protein gels using the “AlphaView” software.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
Determine molecular structures or characteristics of compounds as a result of their distinguishing absorption and transmission of light.
UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
Determine concentration of compounds using their absorption of light in the ultraviolet-visible spectral region.
Spectrofluorometer
Determine concentration of compounds using emission spectra produced due to a sample’s fluorescent properties.
Autoclave
Top-loading autoclave for basic lab applications and media sterilization. Can be programmed for liquids and instruments/solids.
Zeiss Axio Imager M2 Fluorescent Microscope System with ApoTome.2 for Axio Imager
Allows for 3D observations of biofilms and other samples via the Apotome function as well as simultaneous quantification of cell number, area and/or volume with three fluorescent stains/probes. Image analysis and qualitative evaluations can also be performed.
Motic 31 Inverted Microscope
Microscope with its light source on the top, is useful for observing living cells or organisms in containers like a tissue culture flask. Quartz halogen lamp.
Anaerobic Chamber I (clean cultures)
Allows for microbiologic analysis of anaerobic microbes by creating an environment that allows cultivation and growth of the anaerobes.
Anaerobic Chamber II (environmental samples)
Allows for microbiologic analysis of anaerobic microbes by creating an environment that allows cultivation and growth of the anaerobes.
Refrigerated Centrifuge
Centrifuge ideal for cell culture. Refrigeration allows for centrifugation under biological conditions which improves cell viability.
Benchtop Centrifuge
Centrifuge for multipurpose needs.
Microcentrifuge
Micro-volume centrifuge, for samples such as nucleic acid or protein lysate preparation, as well as PCR reaction set up.
Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer
For samples that need to be kept at -80°C.
Distillation Columns
Determine the sum of organic nitrogen, ammonia and ammonium (or total kjeldahl nitrogen).
Conventional Incubators
Allows for incubation of individual samples and experiments at variable temperatures.
CO2 Incubator
Allows for growth of tissue and cell cultures requiring CO2 for growth at variable temperatures.
Sterilizing PCR Workstation
A sterile environment for preparing PCR and other samples is produced using high-intensity UV to reduce the chance of DNA contamination.
DI Water System
Water purification system producing water with a resistivity of >18Mohms.