Acquisition of a Quadrupole Laser Ablation ICP-MS for Materials Science, Biology, Earth and Environmental Science and Anthropology at Washington College

这笔赠款将用于购买一台带有激光烧蚀（LA）系统的四极电感耦合等离子体质谱仪（ICPMS），以支持华盛顿学院的地球科学、化学、生物学和人类学研究。四极杆LA-ICPMS是一种高度灵活的仪器，能够灵敏和精确地测量液体或固体样品中的各种元素。LA-ICPMS将用于探索现代电瓷生产的良性合成途径，通过对月球土壤颗粒进行分步蚀刻来分析太阳风元素比率，研究规定燃烧对大西洋中部沿海平原风化土壤化学性质的影响，研究有毒金属与DNA修复的相互作用，在考古遗址金属制品和石器材料的微量元素来源中，并与切斯特河协会和来自肯特县STEM的教师和学生合作，调查了马里兰州切斯特河码头底部沉积物中的重金属污染使用LA-ICPMS进行的研究将为华盛顿学院的师生合作研究和体验式学习创造新的机会，这将改善科学专业的招聘，并加强对学生的研究生院和工业的研究培训。特别是，切斯特河沉积物中金属污染的调查将促进对当地组织和公立学校的科学宣传，从而促进我们社区高中生和公民的科学研究。该仪器的存在还将加强我们的努力，通过为来自不同背景的本科生和高中生创造研究机会，吸引代表性不足的群体和妇女进入科学领域。来自多个学科的研究人员的参与将通过促进华盛顿学院科研文化的持续发展，在我们的校园和社区中产生对科学的兴奋。

This grant will be used to acquire a quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS) with a laser ablation (LA) system to support research in geosciences, chemistry, biology and anthropology at Washington College. The quadrupole LA-ICPMS is a highly flexible instrument capable of sensitive and precise measurements of a wide range of elements in liquid or solid samples. The LA-ICPMS will be used in the exploration of benign synthetic pathways for the production of modern electroceramics, in the analysis of solar wind elemental ratios by stepped etching of lunar soil grains, in a study of the impacts of prescribed burning on the chemistry of a weathered soil on the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain, in a study of the interactions of toxic metals with DNA repair, in trace element sourcing of metal artifacts and lithic materials from archaeological sites, and in an investigation of heavy metal contamination in bottom sediments in marinas on the Chester River in Maryland in collaboration with the Chester River Association and teachers and students from the Kent County STEM (science technology engineering mathematics) academy.The research performed using the LA-ICPMS will create new opportunities for faculty-student collaborative research and experiential learning at Washington College, which will improve recruitment of science majors, and enhance research training for students going on to graduate school and industry. In particular, the investigation of metal contamination in Chester River sediments will facilitate scientific outreach to local organizations and public schools, thereby promoting scientific research among high school students and citizens in our community. The presence of the instrument will also enhance our efforts to attract underrepresented groups and women to scientific fields by creating research opportunities for undergraduates and high school students from diverse backgrounds. The involvement of researchers from multiple disciplines will generate excitement about science on our campus and in our community by promoting the continuing growth of the scientific research culture at Washington College.