Acquisition of a Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer to Support Marine Science Research and Education in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

美国海洋环境科学联盟（MESC）获得一笔拨款，为其位于阿拉巴马州的海豚岛海洋实验室（DISL）购买一台激光烧蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱（LA-ICP-MS）仪器。该仪器将使海底实验室和区域科学家能够调查与墨西哥湾北部和其他地方的海洋生态系统有关的无数问题，并进行考古和生物地球化学研究。可进行的研究类型包括：1)研究海洋鱼类的生境利用和超种群结构；2)将沿海水域的人为营养源与当地和区域淡水输入联系起来；3)采用Si同位素稀释方案研究硅循环过程和全球碳循环；4)通过LA-ICP-MS分析美国东南部印第安人的耳石和贝壳，研究了美国东南部印第安人鱼类和贝类资源的环境历史。LA-ICP-MS仪器将通过促进与公众和政府需求相一致的广泛主题的研究，产生实质性的更广泛的影响。海洋教育活动也将加强，通过课程作业和研究项目，使海洋研究所的本科生和研究生接触到最新的技术。与它一起进行的研究的仪器和结果将加强DISL的探索大厅计划的教育和推广活动，这是一个备受推崇的K-Gray计划，每年通过其为期一年的计划和nsf赞助的COSEE墨西哥湾计划教育5000多名学生。最后，LA-ICP-MS仪器将为DISL带来新颖性和增强的研究能力，这将极大地有助于在MESC的成员大学之间以及通过阿拉巴马州研究生教育和教授联盟从代表性不足的群体中招募学生。

The Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium (MESC) are awarded a grant to acquire a laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) instrument for its Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) in Alabama. This instrument will enable DISL and regional scientists to investigate myriad questions related to the marine ecosystem in the northern Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere, as well as to conduct archaeological and biogeochemical research. Example of the types of research to be conducted include 1) examining habitat utilization and metapopulation structure in marine fishes; 2) relating anthropogenic sources of nutrients in coastal waters to local and regional freshwater input; 3) employing Si isotope dilution protocols to examine silcon cycling processes and the global carbon cycle; and, 4) examining the environmental history of fish and shellfish resources of Native Americans in the southeastern US via LA-ICP-MS analysis of otoliths and shells found in middens.The LA-ICP-MS instrument will have substantial broader impacts by facilitating research on a wide range of topics well-aligned with public and governmental needs. Marine education activities also will be strengthened by exposing DISL undergraduate and graduate students to the latest technology through coursework and research projects. The instrument and results of studies undertaken with it will enhance the education and outreach activities of DISL's Discovery Hall Program, which is a well-regarded K-Gray program that educates over 5,000 students annually through its year-long program and through the NSF-sponsored COSEE Gulf of Mexico program. Lastly, the novelty and enhanced research capabilities that the LA-ICP-MS instrument will bring to DISL will greatly assist efforts in recruiting students from underrepresented groups, which will occur among member universities of the MESC and through the Alabama Alliance for Graduate Education and Professoriate.