ARI: Aquisition of a Fisons Plasma 54 Mass Spectrometer for Global Change Research

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This award provides funding to purchase a Fisons Plasma 54 mass spectrometer (MS) which will offer rapid analysis and high precision for a variety of isotope ratio studies. The PI's are particularly interested in using the MS for large numbers of U/Th and Sr/Ca ratio determinations in coral reef samples and of anthropogenic Pb in urban environments. The Fisons MS is capable of greatly increasing the speed of analysis, while maintaining the high precision of thermal ionization mass spectrometry which is normally used to analyze such samples. In addition, the ICP source's higher ionization temperature greatly increases the ionization of the more refractory elements, thereby allowing the analysis of many elements that were not susceptible to this type of analysis before. Analysis of these samples will contribute to our understanding of paleoclimates, global change, and environmental contaminants.