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The Central Environment Laboratory was established in the early 1970's and is maintained by the Biology Department for faculty and student research. This research is used in publications and presentations by faculty and students and in masters theses and undergraduate independent study projects.The CEL had been used by faculty and graduate students from other universities throughout the southeast as well as several state and federal agencies such as NOAA and the EPA. Lectures and laboratory demonstrations are provided by the CEL manager for various classes taught in the Biology, Geology, and Human Environmental Sciences Departments. 

 

Water (from rivers, lakes, precipitation, porewater and groundwater), soil, sediment, plant and animal tissues can be analyzed for a number of components including various forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, organic and inorganic carbon, fluoride, chloride, silica, sulfate and certain metals.

 

Sediments are also analyzed for particle size. Determination of plant and animal biomass are performed in the CEL. The data generated from these analyses are used in photosynthetic rate studies, nitrogen cycling studies, productivity studies, and water quality monitoring projects.

 

Equipment in the CEL includes a continuous flow auto-analyzer, a CHN elemental analyzer, high performance liquid chromatography, wet combustion carbon analyzer, pH/ion selective meters, analytical balances, muffle furnace, drying ovens, UV/Vis spectrophotometers, turbidimeter, autoclave, Kjeldahl nitrogen digestion unit/block digestor, mechanical shaking tables, incubators, freezers, vented hoods, tissue homogenizers, hot plates, water baths, centrifuges, and its own deionized water system.

 

The equipment is maintained by the CEL manager and is ready for use by faculty and students on demand. Students are taught research methodology, laboratory safety, and the use and care of the equipment needed for their research.

 

 

Contact Information:

Dr. Lisa Clough

Department of Biology

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC 27834

252-328-1834