MRI RAPID: Acquisition of two cavity ringdown spectrometers to quantify hydrocarbon conversion in deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico

深水地平线事件中大量的石油泄漏伴随着天然气的泄漏，据估计天然气的泄漏量占石油总量的40%。最近对该地区的巡航结果表明，几乎所有泄漏的气体都被困在泄漏地点附近750米以下的深度。墨西哥湾天然气的影响和命运是一个重要的悬而未决的问题，也是主要研究仪器RAPID提案的主要驱动因素。PI要求MRI RAPID资助购买两台腔衰荡光谱仪，分别用于量化甲烷和二氧化碳中的碳同位素浓度。这些基于激光的仪器将用于碳氢化合物氧化速率的量化，用于研究微生物对碳氢化合物的吸收和转化，并帮助研究碳氢化合物降解细菌的生态-所有这些都在墨西哥湾（GoM）。更广泛的影响这项研究有可能提供有关分散剂使用的潜在影响的有意义的完整数据，这是广泛关注的。几个与海湾有关的实验将受益于这种仪器。自从墨西哥湾漏油事件发生以来，PI已经接受了50多家大众媒体的采访，并被电视、广播、报纸、杂志和互联网广泛引用；这些活动将继续进行。

The massive release of oil from the Deepwater Horizon incident has been accompanied by the release natural gas, estimated at 40% the mass of the oil. Results from recent cruises to the area indicate that nearly all of the leaking gas is trapped at depths below 750 meters in the vicinity of the spill site. The impact and fate of this gas in the Gulf of Mexico is an important lingering question and the primary driver of this Major Research Instrumentation RAPID proposal.The PI requests MRI RAPID funding to acquire two cavity ringdown spectrometers for quantification of carbon isotope concentrations in methane and carbon dioxide, respectively. These laser-based instruments will be used to for quantification of hydrocarbon oxidation rates, for studies of microbial hydrocarbon uptake and conversion, and to aid in investigating the ecology of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria - all in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Broader Impacts This research has the potential to provide meaning full data on the potential impact of dispersant use which is of broad interest. Several Gulf related experiments will benefit from this instrumentation. The PI has given over 50 interviews to popular media since the spill began in the Gulf of Mexico, and has been quoted extensively in TV, radio, newspaper, magazines and the Internet; such activities will be continued.