Tour the Labs
The Environmental Chemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratories at the Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) are laboratories which are dedicated to environmental analysis and research. Laboratory areas are available for routine environmental analysis and advanced research projects that involve AWRI staff, University faculty, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and student assistants. These laboratories have been designed and equipped for sample preparation, general chemistry, inorganic analytical chemistry, and ultrasensitive and absolute nucleic acid quantification using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction methods (ddPCR).
AWRI's laboratories work on a wide variety of projects for local, state, and federal governmental agencies, private industry, and local citizen groups. Projects range in scope from the analysis of individual water samples to conducting environmental fate and transport studies, analytical method development, nutrient dynamics in aquatic systems, molecular source tracking, and focused investigations of local and regional pollution problems.
Our mission is to conduct environmental research that addresses significant issues and concerns related to our region and the Great Lakes.
Current Laboratory Facilities & Instrumentation
SEAL Analytical AQ2 Discrete Auto Analyzer for analysis of Nitrate/Nitrite, Ortho-phosphate, Total Phosphorus, Ammonia, TKN, Silica, and more.
Seal Analytical AQ400 Discrete Auto Analyzer for analysis of Nitrate/Nitrite, Ortho-phosphate, Total Phosphorus, Ammonia, TKN, Silica, and more.
Ion Chromatograph for the analysis of Anions, Cations, Nutrients, and Organic Acids.
Colilert Quanti-Tray 2000© System for E. coli and Total Coliform Microbial Analysis.
Applied Biosystems StepOnePlus™ Real-Time PCR System for rapid testing of E. coli and Molecular Source Tracking (MST).
Bio-Rad QX200 Droplet Digital PCR for rapid testing of E. coli and Microbial Source Tracking (MST), algal toxins, and wastewater epidemiological studies.
AccuSkan FC Microplate Photometer for cyanobacteria (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; ELISA) and micronutrient analysis.
Elemental Analyzer for the analysis of Carbon and Nitrogen in solid matrixes.
Flame/Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer for trace metal analysis.
Sediment Toxicity/Incubation Room with semi-automated water addition/withdrawal manifold system.