Acquisition of a Powder X-ray Diffraction System for Earth Science Research and Education

0421410 Naehr这一重大研究仪器（MRI）补助金支持收购一个基本的粉末X射线衍射仪系统，用于地质材料的定性和定量相分析，以加强德克萨斯A M大学科珀斯克里斯蒂分校（TAMU-CC）的研究和教学。 XRD将大大提高科学技术学院物理与生命科学系的PI和co-PI的研究能力。将大大受益于所要求的X射线衍射仪系统的研究项目的例子包括：（1）调查（a）甲烷和天然气水合物的出现所引起的成岩过程和（B）秘鲁大陆边缘沉积物中成岩重晶石和硅酸盐矿物的形成。(2)在墨西哥湾区域海底流体排出活跃的地点进行自生海底沉积物的矿物学研究，以阐明这些地点的地球化学环境。(3)冷渗漏碳酸盐矿物学分析，以补充墨西哥湾南部新发现渗漏点自生海底沉积物U/Th系统学研究。(4)土壤和沉积物样品的定量和定性相分析，作为正在进行的努力的一部分，研究氡气析出的背景下，反地层的南得克萨斯州铀矿。 XRD将在实践的基础上提供给高级实验室课程的学生，因此也将对TAMU-CC的教育工作产生积极影响。 TAMU-CC是一个为少数民族服务的非博士授予机构，最近开展了几个跨学科研究项目，目的是增加本科生，特别是妇女和少数民族学生参与科学研究的人数。这些本科生参加PI和co-PI的研究活动，是我们研究计划的组成部分。这些学生中的许多人是通过NSF路易斯斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟（AMP）赠款资助的。 除了学生的研究活动，X射线衍射分析将被整合到几个本科地质学和化学课程（矿物学，海洋地球科学，高级有机化学），以及选择研究生课程，每年影响多达100名学生。***

0421410NaehrThis Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant supports acquisition of a basic powder X-ray diffractometer system for qualitative and quantitative phase analysis of geologic materials to enhance research and teaching at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi (TAMU - CC). The XRD will greatly enhance the research capabilities of the PI and co-PIs in the Department of Physical and Life Sciences in the College of Science and Technology. Examples of research projects that will benefit significantly from the requested X-ray diffractometer system include: (1) Investigations of (a) diagenetic processes caused by the occurrence of methane and gas hydrate and (b) the formation of diagenetic barite and silicate minerals in sediments from the Peruvian Continental Margin. (2) Mineralogical studies of authigenic seafloor deposits at sites of active submarine fluid expulsion in the Gulf of Mexico region to elucidate the geochemical environment at these sites. (3) Mineralogical analyses of cold seep carbonates to complement studies on the U/Th systematics of authigenic seafloor deposits from newly discovered seep sites in the southern Gulf of Mexico. (4) Quantitative and qualitative phase analysis of soil and sediment samples as part of the ongoing effort to study radon gas exhalation in the context of the reverse stratigraphy of the South Texas uranium mines. The XRD will be available on a hands-on basis to students in upper-level laboratory courses, and thus will also positively impact educational efforts at TAMU-CC. TAMU-CC is a minority serving and non-PhD granting institution and several cross-disciplinary research projects have recently been undertaken, with the goal to increase the number of undergraduate students, especially women and students from minority groups, involved in scientific research. These undergraduates participate in the research activities of the PI and co-PIs and are integral to our research program. Many of these students were funded through an NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (AMP) grant. In addition to student research activities, X-ray diffraction analyses will be integrated in several undergraduate geology and chemistry courses (Mineralogy, Marine Geoscience, Advanced Organic Chemistry) as well as select graduate courses affecting up to 100 students per year. ***