A tight-knit team of detail-driven chemists turns field samples into trustworthy science. When field crews return with water, algae, or sediment samples from Lake Tahoe or Clear Lake, the chemistry laboratory at TERC’s Incline Village facility begins the critical work of generating accurate, defensible results.
What We Do
- Receive and log samples using strict chain-of-custody procedures
- Store samples in a temperature-controlled cold room or freezer prior to analysis
- Conduct analyses using carefully documented, standardized methods
- Apply multiple layers of quality assurance before releasing results
Every sample represents significant time, funding, and field effort. By the time it reaches the lab, many staff hours have already been invested in project design, grant development, and collection. The chemistry team treats each sample accordingly — as a valuable and irreplaceable part of the scientific process.
Rigorous Quality Control
Accuracy is ensured through multiple independent safeguards:
- Five Sets of Eyes: Every dataset is reviewed by at least five trained team members and evaluated against established quality control standards before results are delivered.
- External Proficiency Testing: The laboratory participates in blind testing through ERA Waters and the United States Geological Survey, analyzing certified samples and comparing results to known concentration values to validate performance and methods.
This layered review process ensures the reliability, consistency, and integrity of every analysis and data point.
Why Precision Matters
TERC maintains one of the most important long-term datasets for Lake Tahoe. For these data to remain meaningful, every analysis must be conducted consistently across years and decades. The chemistry team’s well-defined methods and commitment to continuity ensure that results collected today are directly comparable to those collected in the past.
Because the data are generated carefully and consistently over time, they form a measurable portrait of Lake Tahoe — one that researchers and resource managers rely on to detect trends, understand change, and guide decisions that protect the lake’s clarity and ecosystem health.
Our Commitment
Accurate chemistry requires rigor, patience, and integrity. The TERC Chemistry Team provides all three — transforming carefully collected samples into reliable science that supports long-term environmental stewardship.