Acquisition of a stable isotope mass spectrometer for Earth science and ecological research

0842367Kon在这份提案中，PI要求购买一台连续流同位素比质谱仪，金额约为376K。所要求的是具有H/D功能的Thermo Delta V+或GV IsoPrime。仪器将配备气体、水和碳酸盐消化处理能力。元素分析器将允许进行批量碳、氮和硫同位素分析。该系统还将配备TC-EA热解装置，允许进行D/H、水和磷酸盐氧同位素分析。由于外围设备的数量和类型，完成的系统在可能的样本分析的类型、数量和矩阵方面将非常灵活。新系统将安装在北卡罗来纳州立大学地球科学系。最近的翻修工程(约50万美元)提供了充足的空间和电力资源。PI(科恩)将是整个仪器的管理员，而日常操作将由技术员-S负责。技术人员将培训新用户、维护和操作仪器。计划将由PI和技术人员完成。这项技术将由该大学提供一半时间的资金。将为所有用户评估报酬(每个样本约10-20美元)，优先考虑资助样本分析。对于需要大量监督、准备或仪器时间的样品，将收取更高的费用。私人投资机构将使用该仪器进行各种科学调查的研究。广泛的科学推动力包括古气候学和古生态学？对骨骼和牙齿化石进行分析，作为气候和降雨动态变化地区降水的替代指标。这些测量与其他地球化学指标相结合，以估算山脉的海拔高度。同位素也被用来理解始新世-渐新世的过渡，利用当地水同位素比值与骨骼和牙齿记录之间的差异相关性。骨骼和牙齿的同位素也将被用来推断更新世哺乳动物的饮食模式。更新世人类生态也将从古气候学的角度进行评估。COPI将使用稳定的氧和氢同位素作为径流、降水和集水区动态(输入、流出、停留时间等)的示踪剂。古生代古气候将使用放射性同位素和稳定同位素生物地层学进行评估。在其他工作中，稳定同位素将被用来了解陆地栖息地的营养关系。提出了一些未来的研究方向，这些方向是在上述主题的基础上建立和扩展的。学生培训将跨越高中到博士生。这项工具将纳入现有的推广方案，并通过研讨会和实验室参观纳入。最近，PI因将本科生纳入实验室工作而获得了年度本科生研究导师奖。仪器将被纳入教学课程，研究结果将通过文献和合作努力传播。*

0842367KohnIn this proposal, the PIs request ~$376K to purchase a continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Requested is either a Thermo Delta V+ or GV IsoPrime with H/D capabilities. Instruments will be fitted with gas, water, and carbonate digestion handling capabilities. An elemental analyzer will allow bulk carbon, nitrogen and sulfur isotope analyses. The system will also be fitted with a TC-EA pyrolysis unit allowing D/H, and water and phosphate oxygen isotope analysis. Due to the number and type of peripherals, the finished system will be extremely flexible in the type, number and matrix of sample analyses possible. The new system will be housed in the Department of Geosciences at BSU. Recent renovations (~$500K) have provided ample space and power resources. The PI (Kohn) will be the overall instrument administrator while day-to-day operation will be a technician?s responsibility. The technician will train new users, maintain, and operate the instrument. Scheduling will be done by the PI and technician. The tech will be funded ½ time by the University. Remuneration (~$10-$20 per sample) will be assessed for all users with priority given to funded sample analyses. Higher fees will be charged for samples requiring extensive oversight, preparation or instrument time. The PIs will use this instrument for research in a diverse array of scientific investigations. Broad scientific thrusts include paleoclimatology and paleoecology ? fossil bone and teeth are analyzed as a proxy for precipitation in regions with varying climate and rain dynamics. These measurements are coupled with other geochemical proxies in order to estimate mountain elevations. Isotopes are also used to understand the Eocene-Oligocene transition using the differential correlation between local water isotope ratios and bone and teeth records. Bone and teeth isotopes will also be used to infer mammalian dietary patterns in the Pleistocene. Pleistocene hominid ecology will also be assessed in terms of paleoclimatology. A coPI will use stable O and H isotopes as tracers for streamflow, precipitation, and catchments dynamics (inputs, outflows, residence time, etc). Paleozoic paleoclimate will be assessed using radiogenic isotopes and stable isotope biostratigraphy. In other work, stable isotopes will be used to understand trophic relationships in terrestrial habitats. A number of future research directions are presented which build on and expand themes presented above. Student training will span high school through PhD graduate students. This instrument will be incorporated into existing outreach programs and through seminars and laboratory tours. The PI recently received an Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year award for incorporating undergraduates in laboratory efforts. The instrumentation will be incorporated into teaching curricula and research results will be disseminated through the literature and through collaborative efforts.***