Atomic Absorption and Graphite Furnace for Environmental Physiology and Toxicology

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The equipment requested is an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AA) with the capability of measuring cations in a number of environmental matrices via either flame or graphite furnace. This equipment is a replacement for an existing machine that has proven to be an essential component in fundamental and applied research programs in environmental physiology and toxicology. The AA will support two successful multidisciplinary research groups who study the interplay between the environment (biotic factors such as species-interactions, and physicochemical factors such as salinity, oxygen, temperature, pH, ammonia, toxicants) and the responses of the individual animal and the ecosystem to that environment. Specifically, this equipment will aid in examining the effects of municipal and industrial effluents, nanomaterials, sediments, pesticides and hydraulic fracturing fluids on the environment, and the fish and invertebrates therein. The AA will be used to measure cations including, but not restricted to sodium, calcium and potassium. and contaminating heavy metals such as cerium, silver, nickel, copper and cadmium. These will be measured in water samples, and in animal tissues (e.g. plasma). This instrumentation will provide an excellent training environment for numerous undergraduate and graduate students and help in improving environmental sustainability in Canada.