Acquisition of an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer System for the University of California, Davis

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0348970SperoThis grants supports acquisition of a new stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (SIRMS) in the Department of Geology at the University of California Davis. A ThermoElectron Corp. (formerly ThermoFinnigan) Delta Plus XP SIRMS will be equipped with a continuous flow interface device, automated sample introduction capability, high temperature elemental analyzer system and headspace gas equilibration system. The new SIRMS will complement existing SIRMS within the department including a Micromass Optima, Finnegan MAT 251 and Micromass Isoprime stable isotope mass spectrometers. At present, none of these mass spectrometers is configured for continuous flow operation nor are they equipped with a high temperature pyrolysis system. The continuous flow interface and high temperature pyrolysis systems on the new SIRMS will allow the PI's to analyze the Oxygen isotopic composition of nitrate, phosphate and sulfate in very small water samples (100's of micro liters), the Oxygen and Hydrogen isotopic composition of micro gram samples of organics and the Oxygen isotopic composition of bioapatite from fossil skeletal materials, thereby affording this group new research directions in paleoenvironmental and paleoceanographic research that relies on stable isotopic proxies of past environmental and ecological conditions. The new SIRMS will serve eight faculty and research scientists and their students, The continuous flow capabilities of this gas source mass spectrometer will allow the faculty to train students on the newest and most advanced instrumentation available today. ***