MRI-R2: Acquisition of Instrumentation to Determine Provenance of Environmental Samples

该奖项由2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助。作者声明：John W. Remillard将获得一台台式扫描电子显微镜和一台自动分析仪，用于分析环境样品中的磷酸盐和硝酸盐等污染物。该设备将用于研究湖泊和河流由于非点源营养物负荷而产生的富营养化、密歇根湖海滩沙的地质研究、哥斯达黎加食果鸟类与其食物植物之间的相互作用的调查以及超导微带线的特性。扫描电子显微镜（SEM）包括X射线分析（EDS），使研究人员能够测量重要的轻元素浓度，如Na，Mg，Al和Si，并研究样品的形态特征。 连续流动自动分析仪可以使用分光光度计检测器每小时分析大量样品的特定元素。 这种化学表征提供了关于化学、生物学、地质学和物理学问题的关键信息。除了从事研究和培训的大学生使用这种仪器外，还将采取一种创新的办法，让高中学生和教师参加当地流域的沉积物取样和定性研究。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).With this award from the Major Research and Instrumentation (MRI) program, Graham F. Peaslee, Kelvin J. Murray and Stephen K. Remillard will acquire a table-top scanning electron microscope and an auto analyzer for pollutants such as phosphates and nitrates in environmental samples. The equipment will be used to study the eutrophication of lakes and rivers due to non-point-source nutrient loading, a geological study of Lake Michigan beach sands, an investigation of the interactions of fruit-eating birds and their food plants in Costa Rica, and in the characterization of superconducting microstrip lines. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) which includes x-ray analyses (EDS) enables researchers to measure important light element concentrations such as Na, Mg, Al, and Si and to study the morphological characterization of samples. A continuous flow autoanalyzer can analyze large numbers of samples per hour for specific elements using a spectrophotometer detector. Such chemical characterization provides critical information on problems ranging across chemistry, biology, geology and physics. In addition to the use of this instrumentation by undergraduates engaged in research and training, an innovative approach will be undertaken to incorporate high-school students and teachers into sediment sampling and characterization study of the local watershed.