Acquisition of a Gas Chromatography/Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry (GC/TOF-MS) System for Ultra-High Resolution Molecular Stratigraphy

获取用于超高分辨率分子地层学的气相色谱/飞行时间质谱 (GC/TOF-MS) 系统

• 批准号: 0094475
• 负责人: Timothy Eglinton
• 金额: $ 21.18万
• 依托单位: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2001
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2001-04-15 至 2003-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0094475&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Acquisition; Gas; Chromatography; Time; Flight

0094475EglintonIn recent years, molecular organic proxies have become an integral component of paleoclimate research. As for other proxies, there is an ever-growing need to develop continuous, high temporal resolution records from sediment and ice cores to document short- and long-term climate variations. Typically, however, organic geochemical measurements lag behind other proxy measurements in part due to the laborious analyses involved, and because of relatively large sample size requirements. This grant provides partial support for the acquisition of a gas chromatograph/time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC/TOF-MS) system that overcomes many of these present limitations.The key feature of the new instrumentation is the acquisition of full-scan mass spectral data at unprecedented rates, paving the way for very rapid sample analysis at high sensitivity. In addition to its direct application as a tool to develop detailed, high resolution molecular stratigraphic records, we will also configure the GC/TOF-MS instrument for two new modes of analysis. The first involves sorptive extraction of organic compounds from aqueous matrices and subsequent sample introduction via a thermal desorption unit. We plan to use this approach for the measurement of trace semi-volatile organic species in ice-core samples. The second involves configuration of the GC for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic separations. The latter enables detailed characterization of highly complex geochemical matrices. Overall, we believe the new instrumentation offers unique capabilities that will open up new frontiers for the development and application of molecular organic proxies in paleoclimate studies.***

近年来，分子有机代用物已成为古气候研究的重要组成部分。至于其他代用物，人们越来越需要从沉积物和冰芯中建立连续的、高时间分辨率的记录，以记录短期和长期的气候变化。然而，有机地球化学测量通常落后于其他替代测量，部分原因是所涉及的分析工作费力，而且样本量要求相对较大。这笔拨款为获得气相色谱仪/飞行时间质谱仪（GC/TOF-MS）系统提供了部分支持，该系统克服了许多目前的限制。新仪器的主要特点是以前所未有的速度获取全扫描质谱数据，为高灵敏度的快速样品分析铺平了道路。除了将其作为一种工具直接应用于开发详细的、高分辨率的分子地层记录外，我们还将配置GC/TOF-MS仪器用于两种新的分析模式。第一种方法涉及从水性基质中吸附提取有机化合物，然后通过热解吸装置引入样品。我们计划将这种方法用于测量冰芯样品中的微量半挥发性有机物质。第二个涉及配置气相色谱全面的二维气相色谱分离。后者能够详细表征高度复杂的地球化学矩阵。总的来说，我们相信新的仪器提供了独特的功能，将为分子有机代用物在古气候研究中的发展和应用开辟新的领域