Experience Highlights - Enviromental Research Services

SoBran provided on-site support to the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Exposure Research Laboratory in Cincinnati, Ohio for almost 10 years, as well as the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratories in Duluth, Minnesota and Grosse Ile, Michigan. We provided on site technical services to augment the EPA in-house work force, performed chemical analysis on field and control samples, conducted technical studies and biological indicator research to characterized the effects of chemical and non-chemical stressors on organisms, provided advanced GIS services and integration of data, cultured organisms for toxicity bioassays, and performed toxicity tests.

• SoBran molecular biologists have applied genotyping, differential gene expression and cloning, quantitative real-time PCR, and high throughput DNA sequencing to monitor and evaluate the effects of environmental impacts on populations of organisms at risk.
  
  
• Our environmental scientists and engineers used geospatial tools, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing software to perform complex analyses such as surface modeling and hydrologic analysis of watersheds.
  
  
• SoBran scientists and research staff provided technical support in the preparation, identification, and enumeration of periphyton, phytoplankton, fish and freshwater benthic macroinvertebrate samples. Studies included identification of lowest taxa, determination of relative abundance, biotic indices and diversity, archival development of permanent slides and digital photography, data analysis, graphical presentation and report writing to support bioassessment and biomonitoring programs, ecological risk and environmental impact assessments, total maximum daily load allocations, and Superfund and RCRA site evaluations, among others.
  
  
• SoBran scientists provided acute and chronic aquatic toxicity test methods (freshwater and marine) and consulting for a wide range of regulatory environmental safety applications and media, including sediment toxicity indicators, Superfund site assessments, municipal treatment plants and NPDES testing, combined animal feedlots and mine drainage assessment, fish tissue contaminant survey, and environmental monitoring and assessment programs.
  
  
• SoBran field biologists have provided technical support in the design, logistics, and sample collection for wadeable stream research, small water body programs, and large river bioassessment studies. Field activities consisted of obtaining landowner permission, site reconnaissance, and data and sample collection using several established methods for sampling water chrmistry, benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, sediment, algae, physical habitat assessment, and electrofishing (backpack and boat).
  
  
• SoBran chemists performed analysis of various environmental samples including soil, sediment, water, and biological tissues to monitor levels of a wide array of organic and inorganic compounds using instrumentation considered standard in the field.
  
  
• SoBran managed the ground water monitoring system at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. Our personnel served as Unit Environmental Coordinators, and we prepared pollution prevention reports, and developed recommendations for toxic material reduction.
  
  
• SoBran performed Air Quality Compliance Inspections at Hill Air Force Base, including internal compliance auditing, development of source-specific compliance checklists, management and implementation of electronic record keeping systems, collection of emission inventory data, preparation of process modification compliance documents, and management and maintenance of air quality files.
  
  
• SoBran provided support to the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program, providing support for EMAP field programs and facilitating development of large river and lake bioassessment protocols for the US EPA.