Organic Molecular Analysis Laboratory
Storrs
Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering
The Organic Molecular Analysis Laboratory helps researchers, agencies, and industry identify and measure organic compounds in environmental, biological, food, and material samples. From PFAS and emerging contaminants to natural products and microplastics, we combine sensitive analytical instrumentation with expertise in method development to address your project’s needs.
Facility HomepageAnthony Provatas, Ph.D.
Director, Organic Molecular Analysis Laboratory and Industry Partnerships Coordinator
anthony.provatas@uconn.eduCampus Address
Center for Environmental Science and Engineering
Storrs Campus
Mailing Address
3107 Horsebarn Hill Rd., Unit 4210
Storrs, Connecticut 06269-4210
Resources
Laboratory scientists are highly experienced in the development and validation of custom methods to meet the needs of special projects. This laboratory is certified by the Connecticut Department of Public Health for the analysis of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking waters and persistent pollutants in biological tissue.
Recent projects supported by the Organic Molecular Analysis Laboratory include:
– Determination of concentrations of PFAS in finfish, shellfish, water, and plankton using EPA and in-house developed methods.
– Detection and quantitation of bio-active compounds such as furanocoumarins, neurotransmitters, and environmental estrogens in complex matrices, including food, water, soil, and biological tissues (blood, urine, saliva, hair).
– Quantitation of harmful algal toxins including microcystins, domoic acid, brevetoxin, and saxitoxin, in water, filters, and biological tissues.
– Developing novel analytical methods supporting rapid responses to emerging threats on commercial shellfisheries.
SCIEX X500R Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatograph
Equipped with a Quadrupole Time-of-Flight High Resolution Mass Spectrometer (QToF-HRMS). To identify and quantify trace level concentrations of pharmaceuticals, contaminants in personal care products, and other non-traditional organic contaminants and bioactive compounds and chemicals in a variety of matrices. Also used to determine PFAS concentrations in various matrices at PPT levels.
Waters Acquity Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatograph (UPLC)
Equipped with:
Tandem Mass Spectrometer (MS/MS)
Photodiode Array Detector (PDA)
Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD)
Fluorescence Detector (FLR)
To identify and quantify trace level concentrations of pharmaceuticals, contaminants in personal care products, and other non-traditional organic contaminants and bioactive compounds and chemicals in a variety of matrices. Also used to determine PFAS concentrations in various matrices at PPT levels.
Agilent Gas Chromatograph-Tandem Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS/MS) 7890B/7000C-TQ
To determine concentrations of volatile and semi-volatile compounds in a variety of matrices. To identify and quantify trace level concentrations of pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, PAHs and other organic contaminant in a variety of matrices.
Agilent Gas Chromatograph Coupled with Mass Spectrometry 7890B/5977A MSD
To determine concentrations of volatile and semi-volatile compounds in a variety of matrices. To identify and quantify trace level concentrations of pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, PAHs and other organic contaminant in a variety of matrices.
Agilent Gas Chromatograph Coupled with Mass Spectrometry and Teledyne/Tekmar ATOMX XYZ Purge and Trap
To determine concentrations of volatile and semi-volatile compounds in a variety of matrices.
Waters Quattro Micro Gas Chromatograph-Tandem Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS/MS)
To determine concentrations of volatile and semi-volatile compounds in a variety of matrices. To identify and quantify trace level concentrations of pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, PAHs and other organic contaminant in a variety of matrices.
Perkin-Elmer Series LC300 High Performance Liquid Chromatograph equipped with Photodiode Array and Fluorescence Detectors (HPLC/PDA/FLR)
To determine concentrations of cannabinoids and other organic compounds in a variety of matrices.
Perkin-Elmer Clarus 580 GC w/ Flame Ionization Detector (FID)
To identify and quantify petroleum-based compounds and chemicals and trace level concentrations of pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, PAHs and other organic contaminant in a variety of matrices.
Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometer, Thermo Fisher-Nicolet iN10, with Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) plate with various on-board IR libraries
To acquire and analyze chemical images to and determine the chemical distribution of materials in heterogeneous samples.