Outreach and Education

Undergraduate Study and Research at GERG

As a component of the College of Geosciences, Texas A&M University, the Geochemical and Environmental Research Group (GERG) provides research and education to the public. Scientists at GERG conduct basic and applied research for both private and government entities in the fields of ocean science, environmental sciences, and resource geosciences. The combination of private and government research activities at GERG has led to a unique combination of service, education, and research expertise. As part of GERG's mission in education, graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to interact with GERG's scientists and staff in their study and research. Students at GERG are mentored and advised in their study and research in many areas by the staff and scientists at GERG. GERG benefits from the leadership developed by the students and the dynamic and diversity of student activities.

GERG is organized as three interrelated core competencies working together to provide capabilities including field data acquisition, data analyses, and data interpretation. Current research projects conducted at GERG encompass chemistry, biology, oceanography, geology, geochemsitry, meteorology, and toxicology.

GERG's facilities include office and laboratory space, enclosed warehouse space, machine shop, walk-in freezer and cooled space, and staging and storage space for field equipment. GERG has wide range of state-of-the-art instruments and equipment for physical and chemical analyses in environmental chemistry, petroleum chemistry, organic geochemistry, marine chemistry, physical oceanography, and field sampling.

GERG offers complete sample preparation laboratories as well as instrumentation for the analysis of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon biomarkers, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin/furans, butyltins, trace metals, aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites, plant pigments and other compounds. A variety of extraction and purification techniques are available to suit each project's specific objectives. A multitude of gas chromatographic detectors are available including flame ionization (FID), electron capture (ECD), flame photometric (FPD), thermal conductivity (TCD), nitrogen-phosphorus (NPD), mass spectrometers (MS), and a high resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS). For other trace organic analyses, GERG has high performance liquid chromatographs (HPLC) for pigment and hydrocarbon metabolite analysis with UV-Visible absorbance detectors, fluorescence detector, Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzers, and total scanning fluorescent spectrophotometer (TSF). For trace metal analyses, GERG has inductively coupled plasma (ICP), graphite furnace, and cold vapor instrument. All analytical instrumentation is fully computerized and automated for rapid, efficient sample throughput.

1. Work-study

   GERG offers part-time temporary employment opportunities for undergraduate students during their study at Texas A&M University. The type of employment ranges from office help to research assistance.

2. Research

   1. Class project and research

      GERG encourages students to initiate their own projects or participate in on-going research projects at GERG for required projects in their course work. The staff and scientists at GERG are ready to assist the students in any manner possible during the students' tenure at GERG. Students are encouraged to contact GERG's scientists and staff to develop a plan to utilize GERG's facilities in their research activities.

   2. Research projects

      As an applied research center, GERG offers a variety of opportunities for students to participate and interact with research scientists and staff in ongoing projects or initiate their own research projects. The organization maintains a wide range of capabilities to support science and research including field data acquisition, data analysis, ocean-going capabilities, a state-of-the-art analytical facility, program management, computing facilities, project administration, and data synthesis.

      Opportunities at GERG allow students to learn new techniques and skills, to gain hands-on experience by conducting research projects, and to apply the knowledge learned in the class to "real world" situations. Opportunities at GERG also allow students to keep abreast of the research activities and interests in both the academic and industrial sectors.

      Projects in the general areas of monitoring of environmental quality, assessment of environmental damage, study and protection of unique ecosystems, the fate and effects of contaminants, and contaminant chemistry are currently funded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US Fish and Wildlife Service, Minerals Management Service, U.S. Environmental protection Agency (EPA), National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs, and private industry. Projects in the physical oceanography and hydrography of the Gulf of Mexico, nowcasting and forecasting of coastal currents, remote sensing applied to oceanographic studies, and ecosystem studies are funded by the Texas General Land Office, Minerals Management Service, the Office of Naval Research, and the National Science Foundation. Projects in geology, petroleum geology and geochemistry are primarily funded by private industry, particularly the energy industry, to conduct research in fossil fuel resource evaluation, energy resources of the future (a special emphasis on hydrates), fluid origins and flow in basins, and the origins of fossil fuels.

3. Field

   GERG scientists initiate, organize, and participate in numerous scientific expeditions throughout the world year-round. The purpose of these expeditions is to conduct scientific surveys and collect scientific data and samples. The primary region of current field expeditions is the Gulf of Mexico.

   Many of the scientific field trips need student volunteers and student helpers. The duration of a trip may vary from days to weeks. Students are encouraged to participate in these expeditions (or cruises on the ship). No prior experience is required to participate in these field trips.

For further information, contact Terry Wade, GERG undergraduate studies advisor at 862-2323, ext. 134. (E-mail at terry@gerg.tamu.edu).