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
- microbiological and biogeochemical sampling and analysis of diverse subsurface and aquatic environments,
- on-site analyses of biologically significant transient properties, and
- 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. Major components of the laboratory are routinely used in sea-going projects, including our NSF-sponsored expeditions to the South Pacific (2006-2007) and the equatorial Pacific (2009), as well as Bering Sea IODP Expedition 323 (2009) and South Pacific Gyre IODP Expedition 329 (2010). 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 (dennis_graham@uri.edu) or the laboratory director, Steven D’Hondt (dhondt@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)
- Leica reflecting-light binocular microscopes
- Perkin Elmer scintillation counter (TRI-CARB 2800TR)
- BioRad T100 Gradient Thermalcycler
- Harvey SterileMax Autoclave
- Gel electrophoresis box and power supply
- UV Gel imaging and photography system
- MoBio vacuum manifold and ColeParmer aspirator pump
- Eppendorf Microcentrifuge
- Two -20°C Chest Freezers (non-frost free)
- Seven -80°C freezers with CO2 back-up and continuous temperature monitoring for long-term sample storage