The Cooperative Chemical Analytical Laboratory (CCAL) and the Institute for Water and Watersheds Collaboratory are having a joint open house on October 2nd, from 12PM to 3PM! It will be held at the Oak Creek Building (3015 Western Blvd., Corvallis) in rooms 150, 242, 248, & 254. Contact Kathryn Motter for more information: kathryn.motter@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-5120.
About the Cooperative Chemical Analytical Laboratory (CCAL)
The Cooperative Chemical Analytical Laboratory, CCAL, is a cooperative laboratory operated by Oregon State University College of Forestry and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. CCAL specializes in high quality, trace level analysis of nutrients, ions, and physical properties of lake, stream, precipitation and groundwater research samples.
CCAL offers reliable analysis of aqueous constituents including ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, total nitrogen, orthophosphorus (SRP), total phosphorus, sulfate, chloride, organic carbon, inorganic carbon, pH, alkalinity, specific conductance, silica, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, silicon, manganese, dissolved solids, suspended sediment and more.
Precise and accurate results are fundamental at CCAL. The Quality Assurance Program is designed to conform with EPA surface water chemistry criteria, and is a continuous process that monitors every analysis and procedure performed in the laboratory. CCAL participates in the USGS Standard Reference Water Survey Program and the National Water Research Institute’s (NWRI) Environment Canada Proficiency Testing (PT) Program. These external inter-laboratory QA Programs are used to monitor accuracy of analytical procedures at CCAL. The CCAL Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) describes protocols and procedures used in the Laboratory.
CCAL is staffed by a Chemist/laboratory manager, two Chemists, and undergraduate student lab aides. In addition, professors and scientists from Oregon State University and the USDA Forest Service are available for technical support and consultation.
CCAL services are used by many groups including: Oregon State University College of Forestry, other OSU Colleges and Departments, universities and agencies at the local, state and federal level as well as the private sector. Analytical results generated at CCAL have been used in numerous reports and publications.
The integrity of long-term environmental studies depends upon the ability to detect and quantify subtle changes in natural processes. Data produced by CCAL from a standardized set of protocols allows direct comparisons among diverse studies, creating a legacy of data that grows with each new study. By standardizing detection and measurement of the chemical and physical properties of water, and by eliminating the need and expense of establishing duplicate facilities, CCAL operations are beneficial to both cooperative and individual research projects.
About the Institute for Water and Watersheds (IWW) Collaboratory
The collaboratory is a shared laboratory that provides Oregon State University affiliates with access to low cost trace level, fresh water analysis instrumentation and procedures. Researchers can receive training on instrumentation and analyze samples themselves, or they can pay staff to run analyses for them.
The IWW‘s goals for the collaboratory are:
- to encourage cooperative research,
- to provide access to quality instrumentation dedicated to fresh water analyses,
- to provide laboratory training opportunities, and
- to help researchers minimize water analysis costs.
If you are beginning a project or looking for analysis equipment – please contact lab manager, Kathy Motter. She is pleased to give tours of the facility, discuss analysis methods, and provide training. She may even be able to acquire new instrumentation specific for your needs.
The collaboratory’s location is in the Oak Creek Building and includes a well-equipped lab, an office work-space with computers for data download and analysis, and field supplies – check below for a complete list of instrumentation and capabilities.
Fees are kept to a minimum but vary depending on the equipment needed and whether the investigator will perform the analyses themselves.
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