Acquisition of Instruments for Studies of Nitrogen Cycling in Terrestrial Ecosystems

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This award provides partial support for the acquisition of two major equipment items: (1) a Carbon-Nitrogen analyzer, and (2) an ion chromatograph. The instrumentation will be installed in a new laboratory at The Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC). The instruments all share the common focus of enhancing analytical capacity to study nitrogen (N) cycling processes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In addition, the capability for analyzing ammonium and nitrate in soil solutions and stream water will be enhanced. These instruments will also facilitate studying the efficacy of the denitrifying wastewater system at WHRC's new building and facilitate development of new projects. The research projects that will be advanced by acquisition of this instrumentation are directly relevant to important societal concerns regarding the health of forests that are experiencing increasing loads of N in atmospheric deposition, increasing climatic stresses, and increasing risks of deforestation.