Acquisition of LA-ICP-QQQ-MS equipment for in situ trace element and isotopic research and training at the University of Maine

这个项目将使缅因大学能够获得一个质谱仪，供地球科学家研究地球系统的过程，如地壳俯冲和古气候。该仪器能够测量一根头发丝厚度范围内微量元素的浓度，从而了解岩石是如何在地球深处循环，然后以岩浆的形式返回地表的。质谱仪通过在时间尺度上获取岩石的年龄，从几天到数十亿年，增加了时间的维度。质谱仪的多功能分析能力被用于研究过去的气候和海洋条件，通过对来自海底和洞穴等不同地方的岩石和化石进行相同类型的测量。质谱仪将作为一个区域设施，促进和刺激缅因州各大学的合作。缅因大学获得的激光烧蚀电感耦合等离子体三重四质谱仪（LA-ICP-QQQ-MS）将进一步研究跨越地圈、水圈、冰冻圈和生物圈的地球系统过程。这台最先进的仪器将在微观尺度上测量微量元素和同位素数据，以检查地质档案，如有孔虫壳的每日生长带，或者是跨越数十亿年地球历史的单个锆石晶体内的区域。扩散和地球动力学建模将地球化学数据与现场观测数据相结合，其时空尺度从微米到公里，从天到数十亿年。这些数据将加强对构造过程和陆、海古气候记录的认识。研究项目包括对俯冲带岩浆起源的岩石进行岩石学和地球化学研究，以及重建过去的气候和海洋条件。质谱仪将提供广泛的培训和研究机会，并为缅因大学和缅因州其他一些学院来自不同STEM学科的不同群体的学生提供分析和技术素养。

This project will enable the University of Maine to acquire a mass spectrometer for geoscientists to investigate Earth system processes, such as crustal subduction and paleoclimate. The instrument is capable of measuring minute concentrations of elements over distances the thickness of a human hair to learn how rocks are cycled deep into the earth and then back to the surface as magma. The mass spectrometer adds the dimension of time by obtaining the ages of rocks at time scales ranging from days to billions of years. The versatile analytical capability of the mass spectrometer is used in the study of past climates and ocean conditions by making the same type of measurements in rocks and fossils from places as diverse as beneath oceans and in caves. The mass spectrometer will serve as a regional facility, promoting and stimulating collaborations at colleges throughout the state of Maine.The acquisition of a laser-ablation inductively-coupled-plasma triple-quad mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-QQQ-MS) by the University of Maine will further research into Earth system processes that cut across the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere, The state-of-the-art instrument will measure trace element and isotopic data at the micro-scale to examine the geologic archive, such as daily growth bands in foraminifer shells, or zones within single zircon crystals spanning billions of years of Earth history. Diffusion and geodynamical modeling integrate the geochemical data with field observations whose spatial and temporal scales range from microns to kilometers and days to billions of years. These data will enhance understanding of tectonic processes and terrestrial and marine paleoclimate records. The research projects include petrology and geochemical studies of rocks that are the origin of subduction-zone magmas and the reconstruction of past climate and ocean conditions. The mass spectrometer will provide extensive training and research opportunities and enhance the analytical and technological literacy for a diverse group of students from a variety of STEM disciplines at the University of Maine and a number of other colleges in the state of Maine.