Improving and Expanding Nutrient Analysis at the Baruch Marine Field Lab

该奖项为购买最先进的营养自动分析仪提供资金，供巴鲁克海洋野外实验室（BMFL）的研究人员用于测量海洋和淡水中发现的铵、硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐、磷酸盐、硅酸盐、尿素和其他化合物等营养物质。低营养浓度往往限制植物生长和生产力——这是向作物添加肥料的原因——而高浓度往往对环境有害，进而对人类有害。在BMFL，几个正在进行的研究项目正在研究一些营养物质如何在生态系统内自然循环，以及营养物质类型和数量的变化如何影响初级（植物）和次级（动物）生产。其他项目正在评估各种人类活动如何影响环境中的营养物质浓度。营养分析也是BFML长期生态系统监测项目的一个组成部分，该项目允许调查人员评估气候事件的影响，如当前的干旱、风暴或厄尔尼诺现象。此外，营养物循环对环境健康的重要性使营养物分析成为包括本科生、研究生和决策者（如自然资源管理人员和政府官员）在内的生物医学基金会赞助的教育活动的一个重要重点。购买最先进的营养自动分析仪是BMFL的承诺，以支持沿海生态系统营养状况和趋势的监测和实验研究，同时扩大访问调查人员和学生的研究和教育能力。

This award provides funds to aid in the purchase of a state-of-the-art nutrient autoanalyzer for use by researchers at the Baruch Marine Field Laboratory (BMFL) in the measurement of nutrients such as ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate, urea and other chemical compounds found in the sea and in freshwater. Low nutrient concentrations often limit plant growth and productivity - the reason for adding fertilizers to crops - while elevated concentrations are often harmful to the environment and subsequently to humans. At BMFL, several ongoing research projects are examining how some nutrients cycle naturally within an ecosystem, and how changes in the types and quantities of nutrients influences primary (plant) and secondary (animal) production. Other projects are evaluating how various human activities affect nutrient concentrations in the environment. Nutrient analysis is also an integral component of a long-term ecosystem monitoring program at BFML, a program that allows investigators to evaluate the impact of climatic events such as the current drought, storms or El Nino. In addition, the importance of nutrient cycling to the health of the environment makes nutrient analysis an important emphasis in BMFL-sponsored educational activities that include undergraduates, graduate students and decision makers (e.g., natural resource managers and public officials). The purchase of a state-of-the-art nutrient autoanalyzer will the commitment of the BMFL to support the monitoring and experimental research of nutrient status and trends in coastal ecosystems while expanding research and education capabilities for visiting investigators and students.