TestAmerica Featured at the 2016 Pittcon Conference and Expo in Atlanta, GA

Dr. Mark Bruce, Corporate Technical Director at TestAmerica, recently presented on the Analysis of Dissolved Hydrocarbon Gases in Water – Pitfalls and Improvements on March 9th at the 2016 Pittcon Conference and Expo in Atlanta, GA. 
 
Analysis of methane and other light hydrocarbons is frequently done as part of pre-drill background studies in support of hydraulic fracturing activities in shale. Gaseous hydrocarbon analysis in water is also used to monitor degradation of environmental contaminants. There is no fully validated USEPA method for this analysis and commercial environmental laboratories typically reference an SOP (RSK-175) from an EPA lab. There is significant variability in how this SOP is interpreted and implemented and there are no commercially available proficiency test samples. Hence, the method performance is not documented as well as other common environmental tests. Some internal studies indicate there are opportunities to improve accuracy and reproducibility and provide data more suitable for the oil & gas industry.  Development and use of water based calibration standards and proficiency testing samples will facilitate other method improvements and documentation of method performance.  Also, several different sample preparation options have been evaluated for both accuracy and precision.
 
Dr. Mark Bruce has more than 35 years of environmental analytical chemistry experience in academic and commercial laboratories. He has led method development and modification projects for both organic and inorganic analyses, which include arsenic speciation, methyl mercury, low-level mercury, vapor space organics, leaching and incremental sampling methodology (ISM).  Dr. Bruce has been actively involved with the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) committee for ISM, and he is a recipient of the ITRC Industry Recognition Award for his contribution. He has also published articles in journals and routinely presents at environmental conferences and symposiums. 
 
Dr. Bruce earned his BS in Chemistry at the University of Mount Union, OH, and his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati, OH.
 
About TestAmerica
 
TestAmerica is the leading environmental testing firm in the United States, with over 80 locations providing innovative technical expertise and comprehensive analytical testing services. Specialty analyses include source, ambient and indoor air, water quality, compliance, desalination, shale gas, specialty organics, emergency response, industrial hygiene, dioxins, drinking water, sediments and tissues, PFCs and emerging contaminants, explosives, Federal/DoD, and radiochemistry and mixed waste testing.
 
TestAmerica affiliate companies include EMLab P&K, the leader in analytical microscopy and indoor air quality; and TestAmerica Air Emissions Corp. (METCO Environmental), specializing in air emissions testing. TestAmerica currently employs more than 2,000 professionals dedicated to exceptional service and solutions for our clients’ environmental testing needs.

Contact Information

J. Thomas Yoder

Marketing Director

TestAmerica

(1) 865-291-3000

tom.yoder@testamericainc.com