Acquisition of a tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopic isotope analyzer and peripheral induction furnace

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)提供资金的。该合同将用于购买新的可调谐二极管激光吸收光谱同位素分析仪(TDLAS)和台式感应炉。我们打算：1)在受控手套箱中校准该系统，然后在新墨西哥州和莫纳罗亚继续进行大气水汽研究；2)进行蒸发和冷凝的受控实验室研究，以更好地了解对大气水蒸气组成的控制，特别是氚过量参数；3)开发从流体包裹体中分析氢和氧同位素的提取程序；4)开发用于含水矿物、名义上无水矿物和地球外物质的氢同位素分析的提取程序；5)开发一种从粘土矿物中分步加热提取氢和氧同位素的程序；6)研究与里奥格兰德河谷生态系统蒸散相关的H、O同位素比值；7)测定土壤气体(土壤水)的H、O同位素值。在这项工作中，我们将提供该系统在低大气p(H2O)下的准确校准，并开发分析方法，通过为TDLAS系统提供新的“前端”应用，使整个地质界受益。TDLAS将成为新墨西哥大学(UNM)研究和教学的组成部分。北卡罗来纳大学是美国仅有的三所既被指定为拉美裔服务机构，又被指定为卡内基博士/研究扩展大学的大学之一，该实验室经常雇用少数族裔和/或女性本科生在实验室工作或作为本科生荣誉研究项目的一部分。TDLAS将是我们正在进行的让本科生参与研究计划的重要组成部分，因为它易于使用，他们可以积极参与本提案中概述的项目。该仪器还将用于环境研究和稳定同位素课程的教学，因为它只需最少的指导就可以使用。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). This award will fund the acquisition of a new tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy isotope analyzer (TDLAS) and a tabletop induction furnace. We intend to: 1) Calibration the system in a controlled glove box, followed by a continuation of atmospheric water vapor studies in New Mexico and at the Mauna Loa site; 2) undertake controlled laboratory studies of evaporation and condensation in order to better understand controls on the composition of atmospheric water vapor, particularly the deuterium-excess parameter; 3) Develop an extraction procedure for analysis of H and O isotopes from fluid inclusions; 4) Develop an extraction procedure for H isotope analysis for hydrous minerals, nominally anhydrous minerals and extraterrestrial materials; 5) Develop a step-heating extraction procedure for H and O isotopes from clay minerals; 6) Study H and O isotope ratios related to evapo-transpiration in the Rio Grande Valley ecosystem; and 7) Measure H and O isotope values of soil gas (soil water). In the course of this work, we will provide an accurate calibration of the system at low atmospheric p(H2O), and develop analytical procedures that will benefit the overall geological community by providing novel 'front-end' applications to the TDLAS system.The TDLAS will become an integral part of research and teaching at the University of New Mexico (UNM). UNM is one of only three Universities in the country that is designated as both a Hispanic-serving institution and a Carnegie Doctoral/Research Extensive University, and this laboratory routinely hires minority and/or women undergraduate students to work in the laboratory or as part of a undergraduate honors research project. The TDLAS will be an important part of our ongoing program to involve undergraduates in research because it is easy to use, and they can be active participants in the projects outlined in this proposal. The instrument will also be used for teaching in environmental studies and stable isotope courses, as it can be used with only minimal instruction.