Acquisition of a Mass Spectrometer and a Laser Ablation System for Micro-Analysis of Sulfur, Carbon, Oxygen, and Hydrogen Isotopic Compositions of Natural & Synthetic Sa

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This award provides one-half the funds required to purchase an isotope ratio mass spectrometer and a laser ablation source for the microanalysis of mineral samples. The new spectrometer system will replace two stable isotope spectrometers, one almost 40 years old, and the other installed in 1972 but inadequate for modern work. The equipment will be installed and operated in the Department of Geosciences at the Pennsylvania State University. Penn State University will provide the remaining funds necessary for the acquisition. The new facility will be used to carry out research projects on: (1) the origin of sulfur in igneous rocks and its effect on the formation of hydrothermal ore deposits; (2) kinetics of reaction between organic matter and aqueous sulfate under ore forming conditions; (3) origin of shale/carbonate- hosted deposits of base metals; (4) mechanism of formation of iron sulfides and the role of CaSO.4 in mineralization under submarine environments.