Marine Sediment Sampling Facility (MARSSAM) Oceanographic Instrumentation: Acquisition of a Seagoing Sediment CT-Scanning System

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This proposal seeks funds for acquisition of a seagoing computed tomography (CT)-scanning system for the Oregon State University Marine Sediment Sampling Facility (MARSSAM), which supports NSF coring programs across the United State Academic Research Fleet (ARF). The system they propose to acquire, a GeoTek Vertical X-ray CT-scanner (VXCT) has a small footprint allowing it to be installed in a containerized lab for deployment aboard many of the ARF platforms. The scanner can collect three-dimensional images at resolutions of between 350 and 30 microns for cores of up to 150 cm in length in a vertical orientation, allowing for preservation of the sediment water interface. Full-length core sections can be scanned in as little as 40 minutes at 64-micron resolution, allowing for data collection at a pace that falls within the flow of core processing aboard the shipSeagoing Sediment Core Computed Tomography Scanner $611,799 Broader ImpactsThe principal impact of the present proposal is under Merit Review Criterion 2 of the Proposal Guidelines (NSF 19-602). It provides infrastructure support for scientists to use the vessel and its shared-use instrumentation in support of their NSF-funded oceanographic research projects (which individually undergo separate review by the relevant research program of NSF). The acquisition, maintenance and operation of shared-use instrumentation allows NSF-funded researchers from any US university or lab access to working, calibrated instruments for their research, reducing the cost of that research, and expanding the base of potential researchers.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.