The Water Quality Laboratory
The Water Quality Laboratory is state-certified to quantify key nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, total organic carbon), suspended solids, bacteria and chlorophyll a in freshwater and estuarine samples. This laboratory provides analytical support for assessment of potable water supply reservoirs in North Carolina, and for the long- term monitoring of the Neuse River Estuary (CAAE’s Neuse Estuary Monitoring and Research Program, NEMReP), including pre- and post-sampling of major storms.
The CAAE provides low cost, high-quality analytical services to students and research programs upon request. Please contact our lab manager for further information. Learn more about our support to students, and their various research projects.
Certified Parameters – CAAE
| Parameter | Method(s) | Year Certified |
|---|---|---|
| Chlorophyll a | EPA 445.0, Rev. 1.2 (Fluorometric) (Aqueous) | 2004 |
| Escherichia Coli | Colilert®-18 IDEXX (MPN) (Aqueous) | 2014 |
| Enterococci | IDEXX D Enterolert (MPN) (Aqueous) | 2010 |
| pH | SM 4500 H+B-2011 (Aqueous) | 1995 |
| TSS (Residue, Suspended) | SM 2540 D-2015 (Aqueous) | 1995 |
| Ammonia-N | SM 4500 NH3 G-2011 (Aqueous) EPA 350.1, Rev. 2.0, 1993 (Aqueous) |
1995 |
| Total Kjeldahl N | SM 4500 Norg D-2011 (Aqueous) EPA 351.2, Rev. 2.0, 1993 (Aqueous) |
1995 |
| NO2–N + NO3–N | SM 4500 NO3 F-2016 (Aqueous) EPA 353.2, Rev. 2.0, 1993 (Aqueous) |
1995 |
| Total Phosphorus | SM 4500 P F-2011 (Aqueous) EPA 365.1, Rev. 2.0, 1993 (Aqueous) |
1996 |
| SRP (orthophosphate) | SM 4500 P F-2011 (Aqueous) EPA 365.1, Rev. 2.0, 1993 (Aqueous) |
1995 |
| Total Organic Carbon | SM 5310 B-2014 (Combustion) (Aqueous) | 2002 |
Analytical Laboratory Usage Rates
NC State University Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology Analytical Laboratory Usage Rates (within the UNC system) – Effective 10/01/2021. These rates are for non-federally funded grants only.
| Analysis (State-Certified) | Cost Per Sample |
|---|---|
| Ammonia Nitrogen | $16.25 |
| Chlorophyll a | $28.75 |
| Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen | $16.75 |
| Orthophosphate | $21.00 |
| Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen | $19.50 |
| Total Organic Carbon | $29.50 |
| Total Phosphorus | $15.75 |
| Total Suspended Solids | $16.75 |
| Enterococcus | $34.75 |
Preparing a sample for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) under a fume hood.
Setting up a routine analysis of Neuse River water samples for total organic carbon.
Loading the QuAAtro autoanalyzer with water samples for ammonium. This instrument also analyzes for phosphate and nitrate.