Acquisition of a CHN Elemental Analyzer, Particle Size Analyzer, and KappaBridge to investigate the origin of rhythmites in the Finger Lakes of New York

这笔重大研究仪器(MRI)赠款中的CurtinFunds将用于为霍巴特和威廉·史密斯学院(Hobart；William Smith College，HWS)的地球科学系和环境研究项目购买一台自动化元素分析仪、一台自动化电子粒度分析仪和一台旋转卡帕桥(KappaBridge)。这些仪器将主要用于调查纽约州芬格湖全新世层状沉积物中记录的气候和环境变化的证据。由于这些仪器是计算机控制的、自动化的，可以在保持高水平的精密度、准确度和样品吞吐量的同时使用少量样品进行分析，因此可以使用这些仪器对厘米级纹层进行高分辨率的古气候和古环境研究。具体地说，元素分析仪将用于表征总有机质并区分湖泊的有机质来源。粒度分析仪和KappaBridge将联合使用，以推断泥沙运动的动力学。这些工具将支持一个持续项目，该项目致力于开发一个模型，以解释全新世气候变化如何影响全新世期间指状湖的湖泊循环动态和总体水文平衡。这些工具还将帮助为HWS的本科生提供一个设备齐全的学习环境，围绕湖泊和环境研究。

0420576CurtinFunds from this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant will be used to acquire an automated elemental analyzer; an automated electronic particle size analyzer; and a spinner KappaBridge for the Geoscience Department and Environmental Studies Program at Hobart & William Smith Colleges (HWS). These instruments will be used primarily to investigate evidence of climate and environmental change archived in Holocene laminated sediments in the Finger Lakes of New York State. High-resolution paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental research on cm-scale laminations will be made possible using these instruments because they are computer-controlled, automated, and can use small sample volumes for analysis while maintaining a high level of precision, accuracy, and sample throughput. Specifically, the elemental analyzer will be used to characterize the total organic matter and differentiate the source of organic matter to the lakes. The particle size analyzer and KappaBridge will be used in concert to infer the dynamics of sediment transport. These instruments will support a continuing project that strives to develop a model to explain how Holocene climate change impacted the dynamics of lake circulation and the overall hydrological balance in the Finger Lakes during the Holocene. These instruments will also help provide a well-equipped learning environment for undergraduate students at HWS that revolves around lake and environmental research.***