Atomic absorption spectrophotometer for acid-base and ion transport studies in fish

请拨经费购买用于分析阳离子(钠、钙、镁和钾)的原子吸收光谱分析系统。AAS是分析阳离子的首选方法，因为它是唯一一种足够灵敏的方法，用于测量稀释样品(如淡水)中的阳离子，以及测量动物与环境之间离子交换引起的离子浓度的微小变化。此外，它可靠，易于高通量，且运行成本相对较低。研究淡水鱼的离子传输和酸碱平衡完全依赖于AAS测量离子浓度。虽然我们现有的AAS已大量使用，但已有13年历史，不再受到制造商的支持，并迅速失败。如果它不再可操作，渥太华大学生物系内几个人的研究计划将被严重削减。因此，我们请求资金购买替代的原子吸收光谱分析系统，以支持我们对鱼类离子传输和酸碱调节机制的研究。

Funds are requested for the purchase of an atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) system for the analysis of cations (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+). AAS is the method of choice for the analysis of cations because it is the only method that is sufficiently sensitive for the measurement of cations in dilute samples (such as freshwater), and for the measurement of small changes in ion concentrations resulting from ion exchange between the animal and its environment.  Moreover, it is reliable, amenable to high throughput, and has relatively low running costs.  Studies of ion transport and acid-base balance in freshwater fish rely absolutely on the measurement of ion concentrations by AAS.  Our existing AAS is heavily used, but is 13 years old, no longer supported by its manufacturer, and failing rapidly.  When it is no longer operable, the research programs of several individuals within the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa will be severely curtailed.  Thus, we request funds for the purchase of a replacement atomic absorption spectrophotometry system to support our research into the mechanisms of ion transport and acid-base regulation in fish.