Preparatory tools for investigating trace environmental signatures

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Our ability to predict the impact of pollution and environmental change depends upon our understanding of how chemicals are transported, dispersed, and cycled in the environment. Environmental signatures are those chemical compounds providing evidence of contamination type and source as well as the role of biological, chemical and physical processes in transforming contaminants and environmentally relevant chemical reservoirs. The five applicants make use of environmental signatures to resolve environmental contaminants and ecosystem components, pathways, and processes. Often signatures relevant to global processes are located in large reservoirs but are only found in dilute or trace concentrations making the identification, quantification and measurement of these signatures challenging. This has limited the scope of research programs aimed at understanding global contaminant transport and biogeochemical cycling. An automated sample extraction and preparation system for measuring environmental signatures in trace and otherwise challenging atmospheric, water, and soil samples is requested. This equipment would enable the identification, quantification, and stable and radiocarbon analysis of trace environmental signatures. The training of a larger number and type of students in environmental signature analyses enabled by this equipment is not currently possible given that current approaches require skill sets and time not typically available within most graduate programs. The larger sample number, type, and increased precision and accuracy of trace environmental signatures will enable critical research into; (1) Carbon and nutrient reservoirs relevant to climate feedbacks and modeling and global biogeochemical cycles; and (2) Sources and fate of atmospheric and contaminant organic compounds relevant to persistent pollutant transport and fate, and ocean-atmosphere exchange. Results from such investigations will allow for informed response, mitigation, and adaption strategies to be developed by government and industries. Furthermore, the equipment will enable training of highly qualified personnel who can pursue more complex research problems that will allow for a diverse and marketable skill set.