MRI: Acquisition of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer for research and education uses in water, energy, and environmental sciences

该奖项将为德克萨斯大学埃尔帕索分校(UTEP)提供一台电感耦合等离子体-光学发射光谱仪，该仪器能够产生关于多种类型样品中化学元素相对丰度的数据。该仪器和产生的数据将支持一系列正在进行和计划中的项目，包括研究咸水地下水的性质和来源、粉尘的来源和来源、土壤中养分的循环，以及通过海水淡化和其他方法处理的水的质量，以改善水质。该仪器还将作为一种培训工具，供来自广泛背景的学生调查北帕索德尔省及其周边地区的研究问题。这笔赠款的资金将用于购买一台电感耦合等离子体-光学发射光谱仪，该仪器带有附加组件，可以在远紫外线(UV)下进行测量，从而能够分析卤素。该仪器将用于识别和量化以下物质的元素组成：1)水样；2)土壤和岩石渗滤液；3)非液体生物和地质物质的消化。该仪器将使得克萨斯大学埃尔帕索分校能够并扩大在地球、生物、环境科学和土木工程以及劳动力培训和学术发展方面的各种研究和培训。仪器(Horiba Ultima Expert)和氮气发生器(Peak Science NG5000A)是从广泛的基质中进行液体样品元素定量的理想选择，包括分析与该地区沉积盆地中发现的卤水(高达或超过300,000 mg/L总溶解固体)对应的高盐溶液中的元素。新仪器将用于以下研究的数据：1)干旱和盐碱地系统中的水地球化学；2)旱地元素循环；以及3)半咸水和咸水处理方法的评估和测试。根据不断变化的农业、气候和土地利用条件，获得这样的仪器将推动对土壤、水和空气质量的持续研究。鉴于电感耦合等离子体-光学发射光谱仪相对简单的样品操作和坚固的设计，仪器采购将允许在研究生和本科生的学生项目和课程中直接使用经验和数据利用。该工具将被整合到本科研究中，为西班牙裔服务机构(HSI)UTEP的学生提供特殊的培训和经验。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award will provide The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) with an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer, an instrument capable of producing data on the relative abundance of chemical elements in many types of samples. The instrument and the data produced will support a range of on-going and planned projects ranging from study of the nature and origin of saline groundwater, the origin and sourcing of dust, the cycling of nutrients in soils, and the quality of water treated through desalination and other methods to improve water quality. The instrument will also be used as a training tool for students from a broad range of backgrounds to investigate research questions in the Paso del Norte region and surrounding areas.Funds from this grant will be used to acquire an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer, with add-ons to allow for measurement in the far ultraviolet (UV) allowing for the analysis of halogens. The instrument will be used to identify and quantify the elemental composition of: 1) water samples; 2) soil and rock leachates; and 3) digestions of non-liquid biological and geological materials. The instrument will enable and expand diverse research and training in Earth, biological, and environmental sciences and civil engineering, as well as workforce training and scholastic development at The University of Texas at El Paso. The instrument (Horiba Ultima Expert) and nitrogen generator (Peak Scientific NG5000A) are ideal for elemental quantification in liquid samples from a broad range of matrixes, including the analysis of elements in very saline solutions corresponding to brines (up to and exceeding 300,000 mg/L total dissolved solids) which are found in sedimentary basins in the region. The new instrument will be used to produce data for studies on: 1) aqueous geochemistry in arid and saline systems; 2) dryland element cycling; and 3) evaluation and testing of brackish and saline water treatment methods. Access to such an instrument will advance continuing research on soil, water, and air quality in light of evolving agricultural, climatic, and land-use conditions. Given relative simplicity of sample operation and robust design of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometers, instrument acquisition will allow for direct-use experience and data utilization in student projects and coursework at both the graduate and undergraduate level. The instrument will be integrated in undergraduate research provides an exceptional training and experiences for students at UTEP, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.