Sample Submissions From Outside The USGS
The USGS Reston Groundwater Dating Laboratory is able to accept samples for the analysis of CFC's, SF6 and N2, Ar, CO2, CH4, O2 for groundwater dating from outside the USGS. This is made possible through the use of a Facility Service Use Agreement. The service is available to other federal agencies, state and local governments, universities, private companies or individuals, and organizations and individuals outside of the US. The Facility Service Use Agreement is valid for up to five years.
The entity requesting the service (the user) will fill out and sign the standardized user agreement downloaded here. USGS Facility Service Use Agreement The user agreement can be filled out and signed digitally or, filled out, signed and scanned, and emailed to Allison Casile at acasile@usgs.gov
After the Agreement is approved and in place, the user will fill out the order form to order analyses for CFC's, SF6, or CFC's or SF6 coupled with Nitrogen / Argon dissolved gases for determination of recharge temperature and excess air. It is helpful, for data interpretation, to analyze Nitrogen / Argon dissolved gases whenever analyzing CFC's or SF6 for groundwater dating. See the information available on the N2 / Ar dissolved gas lab. The order form is available here. USGS GW Dating Order Form The order form may be emailed to Allison Casile acasile@usgs.gov The USGS Facility Service Use Agreement must be sent before samples can be sent for analysis.
Once the order form has been submitted, the GW Dating Lab will send the user an invoice. Payment may be processed by credit card, bank check or wire transfer. Payment must be received and confirmed before results will be delivered.
The following services are available.
Service |
Price |
SF6 analysis for ground water dating. |
$ 340 |
| CFC analysis for ground water dating. | $ 340 |
N2, Ar, CO2, CH4, O2 analysis |
$ 340 |
| SF6 analysis for ground water dating with N2, Ar, CO2, CH4, O2 analysis for recharge temperature and excess air determination. | $ 600 |
| CFC analysis for ground water dating with N2, Ar, CO2, CH4, O2 analysis for recharge temperature and excess air determination. | $ 600 |
| SF6 and CFC analysis for ground water dating with N2, Ar, CO2, CH4, O2 analysis for recharge temperature and excess air determination. | $ 950 |
Data interpretation and assignment of model age is included in the price. The user will receive an excel spreadsheet with the concentration results of the analysis and the best attempt to assign a model age to the sample.
Bottles and supplies for sample collection of CFCs and SF6 are the responsibility of the user. Bottles for the collection of N2 / Ar dissolved gasses are provided by the GW Dating Lab. Once the order form has been filled out, we will make arrangements to ship bottles for N2 / Ar to you.
Links to sample collection methods, bottle ordering, shipping, and submission information.
