Students working at the Water and Environmental Analysis Lab are trained in the techniques of inorganic chemical analysis of water, sediment, and soil. The students perform analyses which include many of the elements on the periodic table such as lead, copper, and mercury. Other analyses performed include chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, pH, hardness, alkalinity, and more. Among the duties performed are analyzing samples by Ion Chromatography, setting up bacteria samples, learning quality control protocols, and logging in samples. Students also get involved with sample preparation for the Automated Ion Analyzers, Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, and the inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer.