Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Services for Environmental Samples

The USACE currently executes restoration activities under several environmental regulatory programs. The analytical testing of various environmental samples is often a significant part of these activities. A process or system of known quality to withstand scientific and legal challenge relative to its intended purpose must produce the data. To give the USACE programs the greatest flexibility in the execution of its projects, the SW-846 methods, as published by the USEPA, are generally the methods employed for the analytical testing of environmental samples. SW-846 is a dynamic document that is subject to change as new information and data are developed to support changes in the regulatory program and to improve method performance. Any of the promulgated (latest revision) or Draft SW-846 Methods may be requested by the USACE Baltimore District to support specific project requirements.

Depending on the project objectives and environmental program for which samples are being collected for analysis, other EPA methods that may be requested are those methods under the authority of the Clean Water Act (CWA), Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air -Second Edition (Methods TO-14A and TO-15 in particular), DOE Methods, or other EPA Methods and Standard Methods may be requested to be performed on the environmental samples submitted.