Acquisition of TQ-ICP-MS for Geochemical Research in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Minnesota

该地球科学仪器和设施计划奖支持电感耦合等离子体质谱仪（ICP-MS）的收购，该质谱仪将用于支持明尼苏达大学地球与环境科学系的地球和海洋科学研究和研究培训。 该仪器将支持地球化学研究，这些研究需要有能力确定天然流体中的微量元素浓度和同位素比率，以更好地了解湖泊和海洋中高温热液系统中矿物-流体相互作用的过程，生物活动对采矿和农业活动带入环境的有毒元素的影响，以及研究地球的沉积记录，过去的气候动力学该仪器将支持学生在地球化学分析方法方面的培训，并将作为一个部门资源，用于社会相关主题的环境研究，包括与人类活动和补救战略有关的人类健康危害的研究。地球的化学演化和气候历史。具体的研究和教学活动，将受益于这次收购包括：在黄石国家公园湖底和陆上热液活动和相关的地球化学地球化学控制;微生物介导的矿物蚀变，风化，金属和非金属氧化还原转化;稳定钾同位素作为钾循环的新代理的发展;和发展，校准和应用高分辨率测年方法来研究地球气候和海洋化学的变化。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查进行评估来支持的搜索.

This Division of Earth Sciences Instrumentation and Facilities Program award supports acquisition of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) which will be used in support of Earth and Ocean science research and research training in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota. The instrument will support geochemical research that requires the ability to determine trace element concentrations and isotope ratios in natural fluids to better understand processes that occur in minerals-fluid interactions in high temperature hydrothermal systems in lakes and the oceans, the effects of biological activity on toxic elements introduced into the environment from mining and agricultural activity and for the study of the sedimentary record of Earth’s past climate dynamics. The instrument will support student training in methods of geochemical analysis and will serve as a departmental resource for environmental research on topics of societal relevance including studies with implications for human health hazards related to anthropogenic activities and remediation strategies.Compositional variability of fluids coexisting with minerals in natural aquatic systems in time and space provides fundamental insight on a wide range of processes critical to the chemical evolution and climate history of Earth. Specific research and teaching activities that will benefit from this acquisition include: geochemical controls on sublacustrine and subaerial hydrothermal activity and associated biogeochemistry in Yellowstone National Park; microbially mediated mineral alteration, weathering, and metal and metalloid redox transformations; development of stable potassium isotopes as a novel proxy for the potassium cycle; and development, calibration and application of high resolution dating methods to study changes in Earth climate and ocean chemistry.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.