Analytical ServicesMay 19, 2009

Gretchen Grover –Lab Manager and Analyst

Christal Wade - Principal Cryptosporidium Analyst

Jonathan Oglesby-Cryptosporidium Analyst

Rick Fowler – Environmental Biotechnologist, Inorganic Analyst

Jana Fattic – CWRS Associate Director, WATERS Director, Lab Analyst

Office Associate: Kristy Mayes

Part Time: Liz Thomas (Cryptosporidium Technician), Samantha Kramer (Chemist)

Students: Kriss Leftwich, Daniel Nedvidek, Catherine Skees, Jennifer Ludden (Gatton Academy), Ben Fowler (IC, AA student analyst)

Other WATERS Employees

Private◦ Total Coliform/E. Coli, Metals, Ions, Atrazine

Wastewater◦ BOD, pH, TRC, DO, TSS, Fecal Coliform, Ammonia

Nitrogen Storm water

◦ COD, Oil and Grease, TDS, TSS Drinking water

◦ Total Coliform/E.Coli Source water

◦ Cryptosporidium Oil Wells

◦ pH, TDS, Specific Gravity, Chloride

Customers

Drinking Water Certification

Inorganic Certification

Cryptosporidium

Certifications

◦ KY Microbiology Laboratory Certification Program (KMLCP)

◦ Renewed January 2009

◦ Currently the largest (KMLCP) Certified Analytical Staff in the State Christal Wade Jonathan Olglesby Jana Fattic Rick Fowler Gretchen Grover Liz Thomas

Drinking Water

Rick Fowler Computer-controlled automated instruments

Operators: One staff supervisor, one student analyst

Ion Exchange Chromatography Dionex DX600 system with background suppression and detection by

conductivity or UV-Vis absorbance Anions (F, Cl, Br, NO2, NO3, PO4, SO4) and cations (Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, and

NH4+), MDL <0.05-0.1 ppm

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Varian AA240FS with graphite furnace and flame capabilities Trace metals, MDL <0.0005-0.001 ppm

Gretchen Grover

pH, alkalinity, turbidity, TOC, TDS, odor

Inorganics

WATERS Lab received approval from EPA for the analysis of Cryptosporidium on October 18, 2006.◦ Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule

(LT2)

Currently approximately 70 clients from 8 states:KY, TN, WV, VA, OH, NC, LA, MD

Crypto Program bills out ~$25,000 each month

Accept outside samples under LT2 and provides field filtration apparatus

◦ www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/LT2/lab_aprvlabs.html

Cryptosporidium

Mammoth Cave◦ Flood Pulse Event

City of Bowling Green◦ River & Cave System monitoring

Watershed Watch◦ Upper Green River watershed monitoring (Turbidity and Atrazine)

TMDL◦ Analyzing samples for this project

University Research◦ Support WKU faculty as well as other university projects

Cave monitoring (atrazine, solids) Wastewater treatment/nanoparticles (TOC)

DOW◦ Data Collection for Nutrient Criteria Development in the Karst Pennyroyal Region of

KY◦ About 50 sites, 3 sampling events, in stream water quality data (pH, DO, temp) and

lab analyses (TP, NH3, TKN)

Projects

Projects completed Mammoth Cave sediments bacterial

community analysis (2000-2008) NCKRI artificial substrates bacterial

community analysis (2002-2008) Final report for both projects combined into

one report published on the Karst Information Portal and available at www.wku.edu/~rick.fowler/mammoth

Information gained from these studies led to discovery of fecal contamination resulting in multimillion dollar infrastructure reformations at MCNP visitor center

Projects completed (continued)

Oregon Caves National Monument tourist trail impact on microbial communities (2002-2006) Identified numerous bacteria, fungi, and protozoans

and discovered sulfur bacteria later observed by other investigators now believed to be widespread in caves

Louisville Water Company Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria in distribution system Acanthamoeba in eyewash stations

KSU Aquaculture Research Center DNA analysis of bacteria, algae, and fungi used to

evaluate conditions for optimal shrimp production

New projects USDA Animal Waste Research

Station Develop methods for identification of animal origins

of fecal contamination from human and agricultural sources

Study transport of pathogens from the surface into subsurface aquifers due to agricultural practices on karst landscapes

Institute research and training programs at the newly founded Crump’s Cave preserve near Mammoth Cave National Park

Environmental Biotechnology

DNA extraction from water, soil, membrane filters, pure cultures, swabs, etc. Yield of total DNA measured with Qubit

fluorometer, sensitivity 0.2 x 10-12 g

Quantitative Real-Time PCR Determines concentration of DNA from specific

organisms in a mixture, sensitivity <1 ppt

DNA cloning and sequencing Cloning permits segregation of individual species

comprising environmental microbial communities DNA sequencing yields unique gene sequences

for identification of organisms

Bacteria Fungi Amoebae

Parasites Algae Zooplankton

Organisms analyzed with DNA

Scientific Outreach, Presentations, and Workshops

National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI) 2007-present (Advisory board member)

China Environmental Health Project 2007 (International Karst Workshop, ChongQing)

Crump’s Cave Farm Day 2009 (Agricultural practices outreach and education)

International Karst Research Institute 2009 (17th International Karstological School, Postojna, Slovenia)

International Congress of Speleology 2009 (Kerrville, Texas)

Career Day for Middle School Students

Chemistry Hach LBOD

Konelab Hach Spec (COD, Surfactants, TRC)

GC MS

Microbiology Microcentrifuge

Important Purchases

◦ Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR2)

◦ Organics (Work toward a GC MS/MS and HPLC)

◦ Direct the Chemical Laboratory Certification Program for Kentucky

◦ Voluntary Wastewater Certification

◦ Pick up service

◦ Consultation services

◦ Sample collection services

Future Capabilities