MRI-R2: Acquisition of Instrumentation to Determine Provenance of Environmental Samples

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(Public Law 111-5)获得的。在重大研究和仪器(MRI)计划的这一奖项下，Graham F.Peaslee、Kelvin J.Murray和Stephen K.Remillard将获得一台台式扫描电子显微镜和一台环境样品中磷酸盐和硝酸盐等污染物的自动分析仪。该设备将用于研究非点源营养物质负荷引起的湖泊和河流的富营养化，密歇根湖海滩沙的地质研究，哥斯达黎加食果鸟类及其食用植物相互作用的调查，以及超导微带线的表征。扫描电子显微镜(SEM)包括X射线分析(EDS)，使研究人员能够测量重要的轻元素浓度，如钠、镁、铝和硅，并研究样品的形态特征。连续流动自动分析仪可以使用分光光度检测器每小时分析大量样品中的特定元素。这种化学特征提供了有关化学、生物学、地质学和物理学问题的关键信息。除了让从事研究和培训的本科生使用这一仪器外，还将采取一种创新的方法，让高中生和教师参与当地分水岭的泥沙采样和表征研究。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).With this award from the Major Research and Instrumentation (MRI) program, Graham F. Peaslee, Kelvin J. Murray and Stephen K. Remillard will acquire a table-top scanning electron microscope and an auto analyzer for pollutants such as phosphates and nitrates in environmental samples. The equipment will be used to study the eutrophication of lakes and rivers due to non-point-source nutrient loading, a geological study of Lake Michigan beach sands, an investigation of the interactions of fruit-eating birds and their food plants in Costa Rica, and in the characterization of superconducting microstrip lines. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) which includes x-ray analyses (EDS) enables researchers to measure important light element concentrations such as Na, Mg, Al, and Si and to study the morphological characterization of samples. A continuous flow autoanalyzer can analyze large numbers of samples per hour for specific elements using a spectrophotometer detector. Such chemical characterization provides critical information on problems ranging across chemistry, biology, geology and physics. In addition to the use of this instrumentation by undergraduates engaged in research and training, an innovative approach will be undertaken to incorporate high-school students and teachers into sediment sampling and characterization study of the local watershed.