| Description |
Biomarkers are analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) after solvent extraction of a sediment, tar, or oil mixture and then liquid chromatography to separate and purify the compounds of interest. This laboratory has state-of-the-art automated GC/MS. Biomarkers are determined by ratios of compounds based on their mass spectral response. Presently, quantitation is performed mainly by the use of external standards, although calibration procedures are in place to use internal standards and surrogates to more accurately calculate absolute concentrations of selected compounds.
Other analytes include organic contaminants (pesticides, PAH's) released to the environment from anthropogenic activities. Some of these compounds can have deleterious effects on ecosystems even at low concentrations. Current activities are focused in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the LA Shelf, and the Santa Barbara and Eel River Basins.
|
