MRI: Aquisition of a Laser-Ablation System for High Resolution, Micro-Scale Analyses of Environmental Materials

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This award is for the acquisition of a laser-ablation system, to be coupled to a recently purchased inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS). This combination of instruments will allow for micro-scale sampling and analysis of hard materials. The instrumentation will advance research programs, including: identification of fish habitat, spawning areas, and migration pathways (from otolith analysis); in situ trace element geochemistry of silicate minerals in petrological studies, geochemical characterization of accessory minerals (apatite, monazite, zircon) in tephrochronological studies of volcanic ash; and reconstruction of deep-time paleoclimate conditions and life histories of extinct organisms (from in situ analysis of fossil accretionary carbonates, e.g., mollusks, otoliths, corals). In addition to its scientific impacts, the benefits from the instrumentation will include teaching and training of students (graduate and undergraduate, including women and minority students) in both environmental and geological backgrounds, high-school teacher training, and outreach service to natural resources management agencies.