The Reston Groundwater Dating Laboratory

Steps for using the USGS 3H/3He Contract

The main point of contact will be cfc@usgs.gov, phone 703-648-5847, fax 703-648-5832.

Procedures for obtaining sample tubes required for analyses one or two and submitting any and all samples to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory are as follows:

Sample tubes are obtained by completing the [an error occurred while processing this directive]Equipment Request Form[an error occurred while processing this directive]. This form is only available on the USGS intranet. The Reston Groundwater Dating Laboratory will arrange to have the sample tubes shipped from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory to the field location.

When the samples have been collected and are ready to be analyzed, the submitter must download and complete the [an error occurred while processing this directive]Sample Submission Form[an error occurred while processing this directive] (a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet). The completed submittal spreadsheet is returned by e-mail attachment to cfc@usgs.gov. Sample ID tracking numbers will be assigned by the Reston Groundwater Dating Laboratory and retuned to the project office by mail in the form of stick on labels. It is the responsibility of the sample submitter to properly identify each sample with the sample ID tracking number. The submitter then ships the samples to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and notifies the Reston Groundwater Dating Laboratory (via e-mail to cfc@usgs.gov) of date of shipment. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory will notify the Reston Groundwater Dating Laboratory when samples are received and condition of samples upon receipt. The project office will be notified of any samples damaged in shipment.

Billing by SV will be processed through the Reston GW Dating Lab. Results will be reported to the submitter as they are received from the Noble Gas Laboratory of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

To request sample tubes for Tritium/Helium-3 dating:

Complete and submit the [an error occurred while processing this directive]Equipment Request Form[an error occurred while processing this directive].

To submit samples:

  1. Download and complete the [an error occurred while processing this directive]Sample Submission Form[an error occurred while processing this directive] (a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet) obtained from http://water.usgs.gov/lab/.
  2. Sample ID tracking numbers will be returned to you via e-mail, and printed labels that can be affixed to the sample containers. Be sure that the Sample ID tracking number is placed on each sample tube and bottle. The Reston Groundwater Dating Laboratory will forward your submittal information electronically to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
  3. Ship the sample tube(s) and water samples for tritium determination to:
    Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
    Dr. Peter Schlosser
    Comer Building
    61 Route 9W
    Palisades, NY 10964
  4. Precautions need to be taken to assure that samples shipped in winter months do not freeze during shipping.

Questions should be directed to cfc@usgs.gov 703-648-5847. All billing and data reporting will be handled through The GW Dating Lab. Technical information on sample collection and interpretation of Tritium/Helium-3 age can be found at http://water.usgs.gov/lab/3h3he.