Drinking Water Research Group Analytical Capabilities

AnalyticalCapabilities-Subpage3Elisakittodetectcyanotoxins

We use various toxicity kits to test water samples in our research. This is an Elisa kit for detecting cyanotoxins.

Microscope

Our fluorescence microscope allows researchers to conveniently identify and photograph nanoparticles at the same time.

AnalyticalCapabilities-Subpage2RamanInstrumentonLabBench

Horiba XploRA Raman microscope is one of the best pieces equipment for monitoring microplastics and nanoparticles accurately. We have one in our environmental lab.

Pick IMG_7255 Horiba Plus Microplatic Analysis web

Our particle sizer and zeta analyzer is used for a variety of research projects that explore the impact of different forms of treatment on particle characteristics.

AnalyticalCapabilities-1MainPageSamplesloadedinTOCanalyzer

Our automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) is ideal for analyzing large-volume water extractions, helping us improve exaction efficiencies significantly.

AnalyticalCapabilities-Subpage5LCMSonLabBench

LCMS triple quadrupole in our lab. This gives us the ability to anlayze for contaminants such as PFOA/PFOS, pharmaceuticals, artificial sweeteners, caffeine and microcystins.

LCMSQQQ samples

Samples loaded in the LCMS triple quadrupole.

GCMS web

Our GCMS ion trap detects compounds such as taste and odour contaminants, NDMA, MX, 1,4-dioxane and microplastics with high sensitivity.

GCMS with pyrolosis

Pyrolysis coupled with GCMS is very powerful for the detection of specific segments from microplastics.

AnalyticalCapabilities-Subpage6GCMSonLabBench

Our GC/MS ion trap mass spectrometer allows us to analyze a wide suite of compounds.

AnalyticalCapabilities-Subpage4mussleveligersundermicroscope

Zebra mussel veligers polarized under a high magnification microsope. We research strategies to reduce and control these invasive species that our affecting water treatment plants.

Instrumentation and Analysis

Our research laboratories are well-equipped with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. This includes some of the newest technology in Raman spectroscopy, gas chromatography with various detectors (GC-ECD, GCMS-ion trap, GCMSD), an AOX analyzer, TOC analyzer, auto SPE, LCMS triple-quad MS/MS, liquid chromatography (HPLC, IC), UV-VIS spectroscopy, and others.

Currently we analyze a wide suite of compounds including disinfection by-products such as THMs/HAAs/HNMs/HANs, AOX, taste and odour compounds, MX and NDMA. We also analyze microplastics, PFOA/PFOS, pharmaceuticals, solvents, TOC/DOC, anions, radicals, and more.