Acquisition of a Quadrupole Laser Ablation ICP-MS for Materials Science, Biology, Earth and Environmental Science and Anthropology at Washington College

这笔拨款将用于购买一台带有激光烧蚀（LA）系统的四极电感耦合等离子体质谱计（ICPMS），以支持华盛顿学院在地球科学、化学、生物学和人类学方面的研究。四极柱LA-ICPMS是一种高度灵活的仪器，能够对液体或固体样品中的各种元素进行敏感和精确的测量。LA-ICPMS将用于探索良性的合成途径的现代陶瓷的生产,在太阳风元素比值的分析了腐蚀的月球土壤颗粒,在一项研究中规定的影响燃烧的化学风化土壤中大西洋沿岸平原,在一项研究中有毒金属之间的相互作用与DNA修复,在微量元素的金属工件和石质材料采购考古遗址,以及与切斯特河协会和肯特县STEM（科学技术工程数学）学院的师生合作，对马里兰州切斯特河码头底部沉积物中的重金属污染进行调查。使用LA-ICPMS进行的研究将为华盛顿学院的师生合作研究和体验式学习创造新的机会，这将改善科学专业的招聘，并加强对研究生院和工业界学生的研究培训。特别是，对切斯特河沉积物中金属污染的调查将促进对当地组织和公立学校的科学推广，从而促进高中生和社区公民的科学研究。该工具的存在还将加强我们的努力，通过为来自不同背景的本科生和高中生创造研究机会，吸引代表性不足的群体和妇女进入科学领域。来自多个学科的研究人员的参与将通过促进华盛顿学院科研文化的持续发展，在我们的校园和我们的社区中激发对科学的热情。

This grant will be used to acquire a quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS) with a laser ablation (LA) system to support research in geosciences, chemistry, biology and anthropology at Washington College. The quadrupole LA-ICPMS is a highly flexible instrument capable of sensitive and precise measurements of a wide range of elements in liquid or solid samples. The LA-ICPMS will be used in the exploration of benign synthetic pathways for the production of modern electroceramics, in the analysis of solar wind elemental ratios by stepped etching of lunar soil grains, in a study of the impacts of prescribed burning on the chemistry of a weathered soil on the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain, in a study of the interactions of toxic metals with DNA repair, in trace element sourcing of metal artifacts and lithic materials from archaeological sites, and in an investigation of heavy metal contamination in bottom sediments in marinas on the Chester River in Maryland in collaboration with the Chester River Association and teachers and students from the Kent County STEM (science technology engineering mathematics) academy.The research performed using the LA-ICPMS will create new opportunities for faculty-student collaborative research and experiential learning at Washington College, which will improve recruitment of science majors, and enhance research training for students going on to graduate school and industry. In particular, the investigation of metal contamination in Chester River sediments will facilitate scientific outreach to local organizations and public schools, thereby promoting scientific research among high school students and citizens in our community. The presence of the instrument will also enhance our efforts to attract underrepresented groups and women to scientific fields by creating research opportunities for undergraduates and high school students from diverse backgrounds. The involvement of researchers from multiple disciplines will generate excitement about science on our campus and in our community by promoting the continuing growth of the scientific research culture at Washington College.