Acquisition of a Noble Gas Mass Spectrometer at Oregon State University

国际和平研究所提议在俄勒冈州立大学建立一个惰性气体地球化学实验室。他们将购买一台新的、最先进的惰性气体质谱仪和相关的样品处理硬件。这个新的实验室将是太平洋西北地区独一无二的，将在研究密集型环境中促进研究和教育的整合。新仪器将增强大量研究人员的研究计划，允许与外部用户发展合作，加强海洋学、地球科学和其他领域的教育计划，并有助于将分析地球化学继续发展为俄亥俄州立大学卓越的核心领域。惰性气体(氦、氦、氩、氪、氙气和氡)在解决有关地球系统历史和动力学的基本问题方面的效用是独特的。稀有气体测量的科学应用范围非常广泛，涉及地球、海洋和大气的起源和演化、地球内部和地壳的动力学、地质年代学、热液循环和脱气、矿床的形成、地震和火山灾害评估、海洋环流、宇宙尘埃的通量、大气-海洋气体交换、岩石和沉积物的地表暴露测年、侵蚀速率、山脉带的热年代学和构造隆起、地下水年代测定、放射性核素的运输、尘埃和核废物处置等许多领域。更广泛的影响购买一台惰性气体质谱仪将为俄亥俄州立大学和太平洋西北地区内外的其他人激发各种有趣的科学努力。它还应允许发展与其他国家和国际机构的合作。该设施将提供良好的动手培训和教学环境。

The PI's propose to establish a noble gas geochemistry laboratory at Oregon State University. They will purchase a new, state-of-the-art noble gas mass spectrometer and associated hardware for sample processing. This new laboratory will be unique to the Pacific Northwest and will foster the integration of research and education in a research-intensive environment. The new instrumentation will enhance the research programs of a large number of investigators, allow development of collaborations with outside users, enhance education programs in oceanography, geosciences, and other fields, and contribute to the continuing development of analytical geochemistry as a core area of excellence at OSU. The noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon) are unique for their utility in addressing fundamental questions about the history and dynamics of Earth systems. The range of scientific applications of noble gas measurements is very broad, touching many fields of interest to investigators at OSU, including origin and evolution of the Earth, oceans and atmosphere, dynamics of Earth's interior and crust, geochronology, hydrothermal circulation and degassing, formation of ore deposits, earthquake and volcanic hazard assessment, ocean circulation, the flux of cosmic dust, air-sea gas exchange, surface exposure dating of rocks and sediments, erosion rates, thermochronology and tectonic uplift of mountain belts, groundwater dating, and radionuclide transport, fallout and nuclear waste disposal. Broader ImpactsThe purchase of a noble gas mass spectrometer will stimulate a variety of interesting scientific endeavors for both OSU groups and others in and beyond the Pacific Northwest. It should also allow the development of collaboration with other institutions both national and international. The facility will provide an excellent hands-on training and teaching environment.