Information About:
- Soil Research Cluster Laboratory
- Instrument Use Request Procedure
- Soil Physics Sub-cluster Laboratory
- Soil Chemistry Sub-Cluster Laboratory
- Sterilizer, Dryer and Washer
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Protocols
- Rate Schedule
- User Application Form
- Instrument Use Sign-up
- Analysis Request Form
- Penn State Health and Safety Policies
- Laboratory and Equipment Handling, Use and Cleaning
- Security Measures
- Emergency and Laboratory Safety Phone Numbers
Mailing Address:
Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences 116 ASI Building University Park, PA 16802-3504Phone: +1-814-865-6541 Fax: +1-814-863-7043 David Sylvia, Department Head
Crop and Soil Sciences > Crop and Soil Sciences Facilities > Soil Research Cluster Laboratory
Soil Research Cluster Laboratory
Introduction
The Soil Research Cluster Laboratory (SRCL) in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) at The Pennsylvania State University is a multi-function, multi-user analytical laboratory that provides common and cutting edge analytical instrumentation in the areas of soil chemistry, fertility, physics, pedology, and hydropedology. The SRCL was established to provide students, faculty and staff access to instrumentation and equipment that may not be available in individual laboratories and that find common use by several research groups.
Laboratory Oversight
Oversite of the SRCL is provided by a faculty committee consisting of Carmen Enid Martínez (Chair), Patrick Drohan, Henry Lin, Jason Kaye, and Rick Stehouwer.
Dr. Ephraim Govere is responsible for the daily operations of the laboratory. Dr. Govere also serves as the resource person and provides training and assistance to personnel (students, staff, faculty) seeking appropriate procedures for instrumental analysis and operation.
Mission Statement
The mission of the SRCL is to provide access to reliable, high quality, and efficient research analytical instrumentation in the areas of soil chemistry, fertility, physics, pedology, and hydropedology.
Main Objectives
The main objectives of the Soil Research Cluster Laboratory are to:
- Provide centrally accessible instrumentation and equipment for chemical analyses of soils, water mixtures, biosolids, biological and detrital samples, and geologic materials in support of research.
- Provide centrally accessible instrumentation and equipment for soil physical, pedological, and hydropedological analyses in support of research.
- Build, preserve and upgrade the knowledge and skills required for the optimal operation and research capability of the soil chemistry and physics laboratory instrumentation by developing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Teach faculty, staff and student researchers to apply soil chemistry and physics analytical instrumentation, knowledge and skills most fruitfully.
- Support teaching activities and encourage classes to use current analytical equipment in the SRCL to obtain hands-on experience in soil, plant, water, and environmental analyses as well as in quality assurance and control procedures.
- Ensure that efficient means exist for students, staff and faculty to produce timely, accurate, and validated analytical results.
Location
The SRCL is located on the 4th floor of the Agricultural Sciences and Industries (ASI) Building, at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park campus. The SRCL has two main sub-divisions: Soil Chemistry Sub-Cluster Laboratory and Soil Physics Sub-Cluster Laboratory. The most commonly used chemical and physical analytical instruments are housed in ASI 439 (Soil Chemistry) and ASI 461 (Soil Physics).
Hours
Hours of operation are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday to Friday except on University recognized holidays. ONLY with special permission from Dr. Govere should samples be run at other times.