Back to Capacity: Replacement of a 20-year Old Non-servicable Automated Gas Chromatograph for the Determination of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture

自2005年以来，Tenuta博士的应用土壤生态实验室已充分利用两台自动化气相色谱仪，用于测定农业土壤和粪肥中温室气体一氧化二氮、甲烷和二氧化碳的排放。最近，1999年购买的最老的仪器变得无法操作，超过了其使用寿命。Tenuta博士的实验室迫切需要更换该系统，以分析今年收集的积压样本，并启动依赖于明年收集更多样本的新资助项目。其他仪器在大学不可用，商业服务不可用。由于气体分析和样品处理的需要没有改变，所提议的仪器在配置上与其所取代的仪器相似。该仪器配置为高通量，配有自动进样器，每天可分析250个气密样品瓶。对农业来说，三种最重要的温室气体同时进行分析，因为该仪器配备了每种气体的探测器。该实验室致力于更好地利用土壤氮，以改善作物和环境健康。该研究的一个重点是对减少温室气体排放的农民管理实践进行比较。测定排放物的主要方法是收集积聚在土壤或粪堆表面的室内的气体。气相色谱仪非常适合于高通量分析储存在玻璃瓶中的气体。该仪器在气体浓度结果的操作、分析和质量控制方面也是培养学生和其他高素质人才的中心。仪器的操作和结果使HQP的培训从假设的产生、现场研究地点和处理的设置和维护、气体收集、气相色谱仪的操作和分析、气体结果的处理到排放率、统计分析、假设的结论和发现的交流进行了完整的循环。每个实验室样品和他的合作者的样品的每个样品分析费用支持仪器的操作准备以及使用仪器及其结果的培训。预计将有8名研究生和9名本科生以及2名博士后研究员受益于该仪器，该仪器是他们在Tenuta博士实验室培训的核心。他高度致力于促进消除妇女和少数民族在土壤科学方面面临的障碍。这包括提供使用仪器的培训，而不考虑学生的性别、种族和信仰。该仪器的培训是根据个人对以前科学设备操作的信心和经验量身定制的，使所有人都达到熟悉和确信的程度，有利于他们新兴的职业生涯。

Dr. Tenuta's Applied Soil Ecology Laboratory has fully utilized two automated gas chromatographs since 2005 for the determination of the emissions of the greenhouse gases nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide from agricultural soils and manure. Recently, the oldest of the instruments purchased in 1999 became inoperable and past its serviceable lifespan. Dr. Tenuta's lab urgently requires replacement of the system to analyze a backlog of samples collected this year and to start new funded projects dependent on the collection of even a greater number of samples next year. Other instrumentation is not available at the University, and commercial services are unavailable. The proposed instrument is similar in configuration to the one it replaces as the needs of gas analysis and sample handling have not changed. The instrument is configured for high throughput with an autosampler and capable of analysis of 250 samples per day of air-tight sample vials. The three most important greenhouse gases for agriculture are analyzed simultaneously as the instrument is equipped with detectors for each gas. The lab strives to Better Soil Nitrogen Use Towards Improved Crop and Environmental Health. A keystone of the research is the comparison of farmer management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The primary method employed to determine emissions is the collection of gases accumulated within chambers on the soil or manure pile surfaces. The gas chromatograph is ideally suited to high throughput analysis of the gases stored in glass vials. The instrument is also central to the training of students and other highly qualified personnel in the operation, analysis and quality control of gas concentration results. The operation and results from the instrument bring full circle the training of HQP from hypothesis generation, setup, and maintenance of field study sites and treatments, gas collection, gas chromatograph operation and analysis, processing of gas results to emission rates, statistical analyses, and conclusion to hypotheses and communication of findings. A per sample analysis fee for each of the lab's samples and those of his collaborators supports the operational readiness of the instrument as well as training in the use of the instrument and its results. An anticipated eight graduate and nine undergraduate students and two post-doctoral fellows will benefit from the instrument being central to their training in Dr. Tenuta's lab. He is highly committed to fostering the removal of barriers facing women and minorities in the soil sciences. This includes providing training in the use of the instrument regardless of a student's gender, race, and beliefs. Training on the instrument is tailored to the individual's confidence and experience in the previous operation of scientific equipment bringing all to a level of familiarity and sureness to benefit their emerging careers.