1. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
EAL offers scientific services to
the university and beyond
S&E Building Room 201
Website:

2. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Who We Are
The Environmental Analytical Laboratory (EAL) is a multi-user facility within the Sierra Nevada Research Institute (SNRI) at the UC Merced campus.
The EAL provides essential analytical resources in support of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research and education programs in environmental, biological, the Earth systems, and ecological sciences and engineering.

3. Our Facility Environmental Analytical Laboratory
Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Our Facility
The core facility houses 9 major state-of the-art instruments and a number of related supporting sample preparation and separation equipment.
Current instrumentation covers a wide range of analytical tools from multi- trace element analysis, inorganic ions, low mass organic compounds, total C/N/S analysis, hydrogen and oxygen isotope analysis.

4. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
The EAL Mission
To facilitate campus wide research and education programs and foster inter- and multi-disciplinary collaboration among campus researchers and partners in public and private sectors by providing instrumentation and analytical expertise.
Our objectives are to make expensive but frequently needed multi-purpose instruments available to all researchers at a modest cost, and to provide technical support to meet their analytical needs.

5. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Our Service and Rate
The EAL offers services for self-operation instrument access, sample drop-off service, user instrument training, and technical support and consultation.
For more information, visit the website:

6. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Major Instruments
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer
The Agilent 7500ce ICP-MS is a quadrapole mass
spectrometer that has low detection limits in the ppt range
and high sample throughout for multi trace element
analysis in solution samples.

7. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Major Instruments
Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer
The Perkin-Elmer Optima 5300dv is a dual view ICP-OES that has detection limits in the mid-ppb range and wide elemental capabilities.
Its ease-of-use software and high sample throughout makes it a powerful tool for multi-element analysis in relatively high concentration samples.

8. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Major Instruments
Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
The Perkin-Elmer AAnalyst 600 provides general use for elemental analysis including arsenic and transition metals.

9. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Major Instruments
Ion Chromatography
The Dionex ICS-2000 Reagent-Free Integrated Ion Chromatography System provides analytical capabilities for major anions and cations in a variety of sample matrices.

10. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Major Instruments
Flow Injection Analyzer
The Lachat QuikChem 8500 FIA measures ionic species in a variety of sample types.
Our system includes six modules for measurement of sulfate, ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, phosphate, and low/high level silicate.

11. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Major Instruments
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer
The Shimadzu TOC-Vcsh Total Organic Carbon Analyzer is a PC-controlled, high-sensitivity model to measure total organic carbon content in liquid samples.
With SSM-5000A Solid Sample Module, carbon content in solid based samples can also be analyzed.

12. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Major Instruments
Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer
The Varian Saturn 2200 Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry with the CP-3800 Gas Chromatography is a bench top GC-MS that offers quantification and characterization for trace levels of low MW organic molecules in environmental and biological samples.

13. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Major Instruments
Liquid-Water Isotope Analyzer
The DLT-100 Liquid-Water Isotope Analyzer provides an accurate measure of hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios in liquid water samples.

14. Current Status & Functions
Environmental Analytical Laboratory
Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Current Status & Functions
Consolidated to new location in S&E Room 201.
All instruments are fully functional and ready for use.
Recharge rates have been approved.
Supporting a variety of research projects; graduate, postdoctoral, and faculty research.
Offering unique opportunities and financial support to undergraduate students. Supports undergraduate class teaching
Provides support for preliminary data and grant proposal writing.
Created a resourceful website for facility users and public.

15. Environmental Analytical Laboratory Sierra Nevada Research Institute
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Expand user base.
Add more instrument capacities.