Acquisition of a Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer with Positive and Negative Ion Capability for Geologic Research

这笔赠款提供了购买热电离质谱仪的部分资金，该质谱仪将被安置在UT奥斯汀的地质科学系。 新的质谱仪将有利于部门内的几个教师和研究科学家，使非常精确的同位素分析的广泛的地质利益的元素，如锶，钕，铅和Os。高精度同位素分析是一个重要的工具，在广泛的地质研究中使用。 地质材料中的同位素变化可以为从火山作用到行星分化等地质过程的时间提供重要的见解。 同位素的变化也可以作为地质过程的“示踪剂”，从地幔的熔融耗尽到大陆岩石的化学风化。 新的质谱仪将允许调查范围广泛的主题，从太阳系形成和地球早期分化的时间和机制，到现代核心/地幔相互作用和地幔柱的起源和性质，到水文系统对气候变化的反应。 除了服务于地质科学在UT奥斯汀的部门的研究需求，质谱仪，将通过这笔赠款收购也将帮助部门通过提供学生访问和使用的指导，以完成其学术使命在地质科学中使用的尖端研究技术。

This grant provides partial funding for the purchase of a thermal-ionization mass spectrometer to be housed in the Department of Geological Sciences at UT Austin. The new mass spectrometer will benefit several faculty and research scientists within the department by enabling the very precise isotopic analysis of a wide range of elements of geologic interest, such as Sr, Nd, Pb, and Os. High-precision isotope analysis is a critical tool utilized in a wide range of geologic research. Isotopic variations in geologic materials can provide important insights into the timing of geologic processes ranging from volcanism to planetary differentiation. Isotopic variations also serve as "tracers" of geologic processes ranging from melt depletion of the mantle to the chemical weathering of continental rocks. The new mass spectrometer will allow investigation of a wide range of topics, ranging from the timing and mechanisms of solar system formation and early Earth differentiation, to modern-day core/mantle interaction and the origin and nature of mantle plumes, to the response of hydrologic systems to climate change. In addition to serving the research needs of the Department of Geological Sciences at UT Austin, the mass spectrometer that will be acquired through this grant will also aid the Department to fulfill its academic mission by providing students access to and instruction in the use of cutting-edge research technologies utilized in the Geological Sciences.