MRI: Acquisition of an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer for the University of Hawaii at Hilo Analytical Laboratory

夏威夷大学希洛分析实验室(UH-HELO)获得了一台同位素比质谱仪。这台新仪器将能够分析土壤等固体样品，以及植物和动物组织中碳、氮、硫、氢和氧的稳定同位素。它还将能够分析液体样本中硝酸盐中稳定的氮和氧同位素，水中的氢和氧同位素，以及溶解的有机碳和二氧化碳中的稳定碳同位素。该仪器将是夏威夷岛上唯一能够进行这些分析的仪器，也是该州和大热带太平洋岛国地区唯一能够测量固体样品中硫和氢的稳定同位素以及溶解有机碳的仪器。分析实验室是UH-HELO激发课堂内外的学习、发现和创造力，并改善夏威夷、太平洋地区和世界生活质量的使命不可或缺的一部分。它是夏威夷岛上唯一一个培训学生使用分析仪器进行环境样品分析的机构，其中许多学生来自代表人数较少的群体(夏威夷人、太平洋岛民和女性)。该实验室扩大的稳定同位素分析能力将吸引更多在科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)学科中代表性不足的学生，使他们接触尖端技术，并使他们获得有意义的、可雇用的研究经验。这些经验将增加学生的留存率，改善招生情况。UH系统教职员工、联邦机构和来自其他国家和国际机构的研究人员之间的合作将通过这一新工具得到加强。使用该仪器产生的产品将通过实验室网站、学生座谈会以及教师会议和同行评议出版物进行传播。在过去20年中，稳定同位素在生态学中的应用呈指数级增长，使人们能够更好地了解自然和人类影响的生态系统中的生物地球化学循环、食物网络结构和动态、动物迁徙、古气候以及识别污染源和追踪污染源的能力。该仪器将允许分析一套新的不同形式的元素，大大增加了UH-HELO分析实验室可以支持的州内外研究和学生培训的类型。此外，密歇根大学希洛校区的教职员工和学生将可以在他们的研究项目和课程中使用这种最先进的技术。呃-希洛位于夏威夷岛上，由于其众多的气候带、活火山、珊瑚礁和高地方病发生率，常被称为“活实验室”；因此，用这台新仪器进行的新型尖端稳定同位素研究层出不穷。

An award is made to the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH-Hilo) Analytical Laboratory to acquire an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer. This new instrument will be capable of analyzing solid samples like soils, as well as plant and animal tissues for stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen. It will also be able to analyze liquid samples for stable nitrogen and oxygen isotopes in nitrate, hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in water, and stable carbon isotopes in dissolved organic carbon and carbon dioxide. This instrument will be the only one on Hawaii Island capable of these analyses, and the only one in the state and the greater tropical Pacific island region capable of measuring stable isotopes of sulfur and hydrogen in solid samples, as well as dissolved organic carbon. The Analytical Laboratory is integral to the UH-Hilo's mission to inspire learning, discovery, and creativity inside and outside of the classroom, and improve the quality of life in Hawaii, the Pacific region, and the world. It is the only facility on Hawaii Island that trains students, many of which are from underrepresented groups (Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and female), to use analytical instrumentation for environmental sample analysis. The expanded stable isotope analyses capability of the Laboratory will engage even more underrepresented students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, exposing them to cutting-edge technology, and allowing them to gain meaningful, employable research experience. These experiences will increase student retention and improve recruitment. Collaborations among UH system faculty, federal agencies, and researchers from other national and international institutions will be enhanced with this new instrument. Products resulting from use of this instrument will be disseminated via the Laboratory website, student symposia, as well as faculty conferences and peer-reviewed publications. Applications of stable isotopes in ecology have grown exponentially in the last 20 years allowing for a greater understanding of biogeochemical cycles in natural and human-influenced ecosystems, food web structure and dynamics, animal migrations, paleoclimate, as well as the ability to identify pollution sources and track them. This instrument will allow for a new suite of elements in different forms to be analyzed, substantially increasing the types of studies and student training the UH-Hilo Analytical Laboratory can support in and out of state. Additionally, faculty and students across the UH-Hilo campus will have access to this state-of-the-art technology for their research projects and courses. UH-Hilo is located on Hawaii Island which is often referred to as a "Living Laboratory" because of its numerous climatic zones, active volcano, coral reefs, and high rate of endemism; therefore, the new types of cutting-edge stable isotope studies with this new instrument are endless.