This facility provides baseline and time-sensitive data on aquatic ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry, specifically, that aids in understanding the effects of changing climate and nutrient loads on aquatic ecology and biogeochemistry.

Any shipping costs will be assumed by the researcher using the system.

These have been used for long-term monitoring and production of baseline and time-sensitive data at St Denis (year-round).

Use of any aquatic deployable systems requires pre and post decontamination.
Researchers working in zebra or quagga-mussel affected systems should contact to discuss feasibility and biosafety options.

Services subject to availability.

Additional charges related to materials and supplies will be notify upon booking or by contacting the lab.

[%] All shipping costs will be assumed by the sample provider. Note that no samples should be shipped or delivered until timing is confirmed.

[a] Vial evacuation and flushing is performed on 6 or 12 mL exetainers. Vials and lids (double wadded exetainer caps) must be provided by researchers, or can be purchased for additional cost.

[b] Analyses are optimized for headspace equilibration samples. Samples with high methane (e.g., extremely high dissolved concentrations or other matrices such as bubbles) require additional sample handling to manage carryover and may incur additional costs. Note that C2H4 analyses may be offered, upon request. Manual injections of samples (e.g., samples stored in overpressurized vessels other than exetainers) can be performed, upon request, for a cost of $20/injection (typically researchers run samples in duplicate or triplicate hence 2 or 3x $20 /sample) and minimum batch size of 50 injections.

[c] Samples with high DOM and/or high SO4 (wetland samples specifically) can require additional instrument maintenance and incur added costs. Such samples should be ‘batched’ (submitted in a single set wherever possible). Existing data suggest interferences can also exist in high DOM samples (to date this has been seen where DOC is > 150mg/L).

[d] Requires user analyse samples directly.

Access is restricted to business hours. User must provide required coolants (dry ice) and inlet. Equipment operating instructions will be provided, and all relevant lab safety training is required from USask in advance of work.

All smartchem analyses are for a water matrix. Only samples that can be stored (e.g., stable with freezing/refrigeration) are recommended. In select cases, immediate analyses can be run with advance notice for perishable samples. It is recommended that filtration be done by researchers in initial sample storage. In select cases, we can schedule time to support filtration with advance notice. Samples require a minimum sample number or charge out of $450 per batch, due to costs of instrument calibration and data processing (as noted, where results are not time sensitive, we can consolidate batches across researchers to reduce costs for small sample numbers). Smartchem analyses are run as per standard methods with researchers responsible for steps including filtration and ensuring appropriate sample storage. Individuals requesting lab services must ensure the method is suited to the matrix of interest. Lab MDLs are available upon request. Method numbers are: SRP:WP1W, TP:WP3D, TDP:WP3D, NH3: NH3K, Urea: Urea, NO3 plus NO2: WNO3, TN: TNAK, TDN: TNAK, alkalinity:WALK, sulphate:SO4K. Other methods may be implemented. Any questions can be directed to : helen.baulch@usask.ca and katy.nugent@usask.ca or cjh252@mail.usask.ca. Reseachers are asked to estimate intended concentration range to allow us to optimize dilutions, as needed.
#Sample filtration charges: filtration charged per 3.5h plus supply costs, which are typically ~$4/sample (where a single filter can be used to obtain sufficent sample).
1: level 1 analyses include: ammonia, SRP, urea
2: level 2 analyses include: sulfate, nitrate + nitrite, alkalinity (nitrite can also be analysed separately for additional cost)