Use of Inductively-Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) for Rapid Multi-Element Analysis in Earth Science, Chemistry, and Biology

该项目正在通过购置电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱仪和相关的样品制备设备，发展快速、准确的多元素分析能力。ICP-AES被用于大大提高地球科学，化学和生物学课程学生的实验室教学和研究机会。在地球科学中，ICP-AES是改革矿物学和岩石学的重要组成部分，不再强调传统的手工样品描述和分类，并专注于教学生如何研究矿物和岩石的调查，以表征它们并解释它们的起源。在地球化学和应用水文地质学中，学生正在动手实验中研究固体地球材料和水之间的相互作用。地球科学专业的学生正在更好地了解矿物，岩石和水作为化学系统，并提高他们解决定量问题的能力。在化学课程中，学生将在定量分析中学习ICP-AES。ICP-AES正在扩大环境化学中水和土壤调查的机会。在仪器分析中，学生将学习优化ICP-AES的操作条件，并获得在研究和工业中常规使用的分析技术的宝贵实践经验。在生物学计划中，ICP-AES使植物生理学中的宏量和微量营养调查中的定量分析成为可能。在每个项目中，ICP-AES的使用通过允许学生在适当的课程中使用科学来提高他们对重要概念的理解。同样重要的是，学生们对做研究越来越感兴趣。 *

This project is developing the capabilities for rapid, accurate multi-element analysis through acquisition of an inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) and related sample preparation equipment. The ICP-AES is being used to greatly improve laboratory instruction and research opportunities for students in the Earth Science, Chemistry, and Biology programs. In Earth Science, ICP-AES is a critical part of reforming mineralogy and petrology, de-emphasizing traditional hand-sample description and classification, and focusing on investigations that teach students how to study minerals and rocks in order to characterize them and interpret their origins. In Geochemistry and Applied Hydrogeology, students are investigating interactions between solid earth materials and water in hands-on experiments. Earth Science students are developing a better understanding of minerals, rocks, and water as chemical systems and improving their quantitative problem-solving skills. In the Chemistry program, students are being introduced to ICP-AES in Quantitative Analysis. ICP-AES is expanding opportunities for water and soil investigations in Environmental Chemistry. In Instrumental Analysis, students are learning to optimize the ICP-AES operating conditions and gaining valuable hands-on experience with an analytical technique that is routinely used in research and industry. In the Biology program, ICP-AES is making it possible to include quantitative analysis in macro-and micro-nutrient investigations in Plant Physiology. In each program, use of ICP-AES is improving the students' understanding of important concepts by allowing them to use science in appropriate coursework. Of equal importance, students are becoming more excited about doing research. *