Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the University of Rhode Island, the Geobiology Laboratory is based at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography. It is fully outfitted for
(1) microbiological and biogeochemical sampling and analysis of diverse subsurface
and aquatic environments,
(2) on-site analyses of biologically significant transient properties, and
(3) on-site analyses of biological, chemical and physical properties used to guide
sampling strategies for study of microbial life.
The laboratory includes a UNOLS-standard containerized facility for field work, complete with fume hood, lab benches, sink, a Millipore MilliQ Synthesis water purifier, under-counter refrigerator, under-counter freezer, and air conditioning.
The Geobiology Laboratory is a multi-user facility. If you are interested in using some of its components in a field program or at URI and wish information about its capabilities or cost, contact the laboratory manager, Dennis Graham (dgraham@gso.uri.edu) or the laboratory director, Steven D’Hondt (dhondt@gso.uri.edu).
The laboratory’s instruments and major equipment include
Shimadzu gas chromatograph (GC-17A) with NGA
Shimadzu gas chromatograph (GC-17A) - ECD/FID
Metrohm ion chromatograph (844) - UV/VIS
Metrohm ion chromatograph (861)- TCD
Metrohm ion chromatograph autosampler (813)
Metrohm Titrando titration system (809)
Metrohm Basic Titrino (794)
Shimadzu spectrophotometer (UV mini 1240)
Shimadzu TOC/N analyzer w/laptop (TOC-V csh)
Marianda AIRICA system with LI-COR 7000 CO2 gas analyzer
Microx TX3 / Microsensor O2 meter
H2/CO analyzer w/ gas blender (PP1)
Costech CHNSO Analyzer (ECS 4010)
Metrohm conductometer (712)
Metrohm mobile pH meter
Two Carver hydraulic presses (3853-0)
Four Manheim-type interstitial water squeezers
Nitrogen generator - Parker-Hannifin (UHPN2-1100)
Parker-Balston FID gas station (FID1000NA)
Atlas Copco air compressor (LXFD)
Metrohm 837 combination IC degasser (837)
Mettler Toledo balance (AS104S)
Laptop computers (Dell Latitude/Mac)
Barnstead International SterileMax autoclave (ST75925)
Envirco laminar flow hood (10557)
Coy Type C Anaerobic Chamber w/ Auto Airlock
Nikon epifluorescence microscope (80i)
Nikon reflecting-light binocular microscope (SMZ-U)
Perkin Elmer scintillation counter (TRI-CARB 2800TR)
Three -80°C freezers with CO2 back-up and continuous temperature monitoring for
long-term sample storage
Geobiology Laboratory
Heather Schrum, Melissa Steinman and Dennis Graham (left to right) in our containerized laboratory on expedition Knox-02RR (photo: S. D’Hondt).