The Reston Chlorofluorocarbon Laboratory
of the U.S. Geological Survey was established in 1994
to provide analytical services for determination of the
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-113
in air and water samples. Currently the laboratory provides
analytical services for CFCs, sulfur hexafluoride, dissolved
gases including nitrogen, argon, methane, carbon dioxide,
oxygen, and helium, and administers the USGS contract
for tritium/helium-3 dating. The data generated by the
Reston Chlorofluorocarbon Laboratory are being used in
hydrologic studies to trace the flow of young water (0-
to 50-year time scale) and to determine the time elapsed
since recharge (ground-water age). The laboratory supports
research applications of environmental tracers in hydrologic
studies conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey. It is
managed under the direction of L. Niel Plummer and Eurybiades
Busenberg of the National Research Program, Water Resources
Division, and is located in the USGS Headquarters in Reston,
Virginia.
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