Environmental Laboratory Services

Many aspects of the Division's diverse mission involving regulation, restoration and protection require regular laboratory analysis of samples to monitor the safety of Ohio's citizens and environment. To that end, the DMRM operates an Ohio EPA Drinking Water certified laboratory in Cambridge, Ohio.

Air Quality

Analysis of air samples by the laboratory aids in keeping mine safety inspectors, industry employees and the public safe from the adverse effects of various gases and materials that can be present in mining and drilling operations.

• Mine safety inspectors submit air samples quarterly to the lab for routine analysis of gases within the mines during operation.

• Mine air samples are analyzed for concentrations of ambient, combustible and flammable gases.

• A fully self-sufficient mobile lab van is maintained for use during mine emergencies to assess air quality conditions for the safety of mine inspectors, mine rescue teams and other personnel involved in the emergency operation.

• The lab assists the Orphan Well Program in identifying the composition of gas samples collected by mineral resources inspectors.

• Laboratory personnel regularly calibrate hand held gas detectors used by Division inspectors for personal protection and to evaluate odor complaints.

Water Quality

Surface and groundwater samples are analyzed by the lab to assess baseline water chemistry and to evaluate changes, including contamination caused by acid mine drainage or oilfield sources.

• Regulatory sampling by the Coal Program helps to assure that mining operators are reclaiming active mines in accordance with the law and identifies any pollution problems during and after the mining process.

• Regulatory sampling by the Oil and Gas Program identifies potential water pollution problems that need to be corrected by the oil and gas industry.

• Analysis of water samples support investigations of citizen complaints related to alleged contamination from active or abandoned mines and oil/gas wells.

• Sampling on abandoned mine lands enables verification that complaints and problems are related to past mining and eligible for reclamation assistance.

• The Division and watershed group partners work together in restoring water quality in acid mine drainage polluted watersheds.
  
  
  • Careful sample analysis before remedial work begins enables the selection of proper sites and engineering design approach for each watershed.
  • Regular sampling during the restoration process enables the partners to evaluate reclamation techniques and the progress they are making towards restoring aquatic health.

Analytical Effectiveness

The DMRM Cambridge Laboratory is certified by the Ohio EPA (in using approved scientific analytical methods and equipment) to test public water supplies for contaminants from mining and oil and gas operations. Qualified personnel use state of the art equipment that is maintained by manufacturer certified technicians.

One full-time Chemical Laboratory Supervisor and one full-time Laboratory Scientist are proficient on all laboratory apparatus providing highly efficient and productive services. The result is exceptional turnaround time and a cost per sample substantially lower than costs associated with commercial laboratories. Recent improvements allow the lab to electronically transfer analytical results into a variety of databases, saving time and reducing possible data entry errors.

The lab provides services to outside agencies including the federal Office of Surface Mining and the Ohio Department of Transportation. It provides training in proper sampling and laboratory protocol as well as sample collection materials to Division employees for the collection of gas and water samples. It assists in conducting special bench studies and supports analysis of samples for applied research projects.