MRI: Acquisition of a Noble Gas Multi-Collector Mass Spectrometer for Geochronology and Geochemistry Research

该项目将建立一个实验室，配备最先进的仪器，用于测量岩石、矿物和水样中的惰性气体，用于地球、行星和环境科学的地质年代学和地球化学研究。该设施将使亚利桑那大学和合作机构的研究人员和学生能够进行各种各样的科学研究。这些研究的一些主要目标将是：1)利用放射性同位素定年法调查地质事件和过程的时间和速率，包括断层、岩浆活动和侵蚀；2)表征矿物中稀有气体的行为，以了解天然晶体的物质特性；3)追踪地下水和地球地下其他流体的运动和演化。该项目还将为使用仪器和实验室的学生提供实践研究培训，帮助他们发展地球、行星和环境科学的定量和技术技能和经验。实验室的核心将是一个新的多收集器气源扇形质谱仪和样品导入设备，包括使用电阻（炉）和激光加热提取气体的装置，粉碎流体包裹体，以及从流体中析出。最先进的高分辨率、高灵敏度和多采集能力的质谱仪将能够同时测量氩和氖的所有同位素，氦将通过跳峰测量。该仪器的重要研究重点将包括：1)利用40Ar/39Ar系统在构造、碎屑、火山和断层系统中的应用进行地质和热年代学研究；2)低温4He/3He热年代学及对矿物中氦迁移的认识；3)宇宙成因和核成因21Ne定年，用于地貌研究和氧化铁等次生矿物定年；4)稀有气体的同位素组成和浓度，用于追踪地下流体-岩石系统的通量和演化。除了为亚利桑那大学、犹他州立大学和德克萨斯大学埃尔帕索分校的研究人员和学生提供服务外，该设施还将通过对不同学生群体的分析和研讨会，为包括大学和文理学院在内的各种机构的合作者提供分析服务和研究经验机会。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project will establish a laboratory with state-of-the-art instruments for measuring noble gases in rock, mineral, and water samples, for geochronologic and geochemical studies in Earth, planetary, and environmental science. The facility will enable a wide variety of scientific studies by researchers and students at the University of Arizona and collaborating institutions. Some of the primary goals of these studies will be: 1) to investigate the timing and rates of geologic events and processes using radioisotopic dating, including faulting, magmatism, and erosion, 2) to characterize the behavior of noble gases in minerals to understand the material properties of natural crystals, and 3) to trace the movement and evolution of groundwater and other fluids in the Earth's subsurface. This project will also enable hands-on research training for students who will use the instruments and laboratory, helping them develop the quantitative and technical skills and experience for Earth, planetary, and environmental science.The centerpiece of the laboratory will be a new multi-collector gas-source sector mass spectrometer and sample introduction equipment including devices for extracting gases using resistance (furnace) and laser heating, crushing of fluid-inclusions, and exsolution from fluids. State of the art high-resolution, high-sensitivity, and multi-collection capabilities of the mass spectrometer will enable simultaneous measurement of all isotopes of argon and neon, and helium will be measured by peak-hopping. Important research foci for the instrument will include 1) geo- and thermochronology using the 40Ar/39Ar system for applications in tectonic, detrital, volcanic, and fault-systems; 2) low-temperature 4He/3He thermochronology and understanding helium mobility in minerals; 3) cosmogenic and nucleogenic 21Ne dating for geomorphic applications and for dating secondary minerals like iron oxides; and 4) isotopic compositions and concentrations of noble gases for tracing the fluxes and evolution of subsurface fluid-rock systems. In addition to serving researchers and students at the University of Arizona, Utah State University, and University of Texas El Paso, the facility will also provide analytical services and research experience opportunities for collaborators at a variety of institutions, including universities and liberal arts colleges, through analyses and workshops for diverse cohorts of students.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.