Development of a Stable Isotope Facility Capable of Routine Measurements on Individual Molecular Components.

该合同为弗吉尼亚大学环境科学系购买气相色谱仪和燃烧线提供了资金，这些气相色谱仪和燃烧线将与稳定同位素比质谱仪连接。新的仪器系统将能够测定复杂有机化合物混合物中单个分子组分的氮和碳同位素组成。这种分析能力为自然化石记录中保存的有机物质的来源和历史提供了更好的解释，并将用于地质、生物和人类学研究。

This award provides funds for the acquisition of a gas chromatograph and combustion line to be interfaced with a stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia. The new instrumental system will enable the determination of nitrogen and carbon isotopic compositions of the individual molecular components of mixtures of complex organic compounds. Such analytical capabilities offers enhanced interpretation of the source and history of organic material preserved in the natural fossil record and will be used in geological, biological, and anthropological research.