Acquisition of a Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer with Positive and Negative Ion Capability for Geologic Research

这笔拨款提供部分资金用于购买热电离质谱仪，该质谱仪将安置在德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的地质科学系。新的质谱仪将使该系内的几位教职员工和研究科学家受益，因为它可以非常精确地分析各种地质元素，如Sr， Nd， Pb和Os。高精度同位素分析是广泛应用于地质研究的重要工具。地质物质中的同位素变化可以为从火山作用到行星分异的地质过程的时间提供重要的见解。同位素变化也可以作为地质过程的“示踪剂”，从地幔的熔融损耗到大陆岩石的化学风化。新的质谱仪将允许研究广泛的主题，从太阳系形成和早期地球分化的时间和机制，到现代地核/地幔相互作用和地幔羽流的起源和性质，再到水文系统对气候变化的响应。除了满足德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校地质科学系的研究需求外，通过这笔拨款获得的质谱仪还将通过为学生提供使用地质科学前沿研究技术的机会和指导，帮助该系完成其学术使命。

This grant provides partial funding for the purchase of a thermal-ionization mass spectrometer to be housed in the Department of Geological Sciences at UT Austin. The new mass spectrometer will benefit several faculty and research scientists within the department by enabling the very precise isotopic analysis of a wide range of elements of geologic interest, such as Sr, Nd, Pb, and Os. High-precision isotope analysis is a critical tool utilized in a wide range of geologic research. Isotopic variations in geologic materials can provide important insights into the timing of geologic processes ranging from volcanism to planetary differentiation. Isotopic variations also serve as "tracers" of geologic processes ranging from melt depletion of the mantle to the chemical weathering of continental rocks. The new mass spectrometer will allow investigation of a wide range of topics, ranging from the timing and mechanisms of solar system formation and early Earth differentiation, to modern-day core/mantle interaction and the origin and nature of mantle plumes, to the response of hydrologic systems to climate change. In addition to serving the research needs of the Department of Geological Sciences at UT Austin, the mass spectrometer that will be acquired through this grant will also aid the Department to fulfill its academic mission by providing students access to and instruction in the use of cutting-edge research technologies utilized in the Geological Sciences.