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(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来发展快速、准确的多元素分析能力。电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱被用来极大地改善地球科学、化学和生物学专业学生的实验室教学和研究机会。在地球科学中，电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱是改革矿物学和岩石学的关键部分，不再强调传统的手工样品描述和分类，而是专注于教授学生如何研究矿物和岩石以便对其进行表征和解释其成因的调查。在地球化学和应用水文地质学中，学生们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发展对矿物、岩石和水作为化学体系的更好的理解，并提高他们定量解决问题的能力。在化学课程中，将向学生介绍定量分析中的电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱仪。电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱分析正在扩大环境化学中的水和土壤研究的机会。在仪器分析课程中，学生将学习如何优化电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱分析的操作条件，并通过在研究和工业中常规使用的分析技术获得宝贵的实践经验。在生物学项目中，电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱仪使在植物生理学的宏观和微观营养调查中包括定量分析成为可能。在每个课程中，通过允许学生在适当的课程中使用科学来提高学生对重要概念的理解。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. *