Development of a Trace Element Clean Facility at the University of Southern Mississippi Center for Marine Science

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The University of Southern Mississippi Center for Marine Science (CMS) is a relatively young organization (less than four years old); however, in its short existence, it has been very successful in establishing a quality research program focussed on chemical and biological oceanography. Of central importance in such work is the ability to follow trace elements in the environment. Trace elements (such as the metals copper and zinc) can be nutrients and/or toxins, but some of the previous work with such elements is now suspect because of the failure of previous workers to follow presently accepted clean laboratory protocols. For example, many determinations of oceanic primary production may be unreliable due to trace-element contamination. This project will provide funds to construct and equip a state-of-the-art trace-element facility at CMS. It will encompass preparatory and culture laboratories as well as items of specialized analytical equipment, including a nutrient analyzer, a high-speed centrifuge, and a spectrophotometer. The laboratory will be maintained scrupulously clean, and the most stringent protocols will be followed in order to insure the integrity of trace-element research in it. The facility will allow on-site and visiting researchers to continue and expand their involvement in such activities as NSF's Global Ocean Flux Study. Equally important, the facility will be located close to important coastal wetlands and will have direct access to the Gulf of Mexico.