MRI: Acquisition of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer for research and education uses in water, energy, and environmental sciences

该奖项将为德克萨斯大学埃尔帕索分校（UTEP）提供电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪，该仪器能够产生许多类型样品中化学元素相对丰度的数据。 该仪器和产生的数据将支持一系列正在进行和计划中的项目，包括研究含盐地下水的性质和起源，灰尘的起源和来源，土壤中营养物质的循环，以及通过脱盐和其他方法处理的水的质量，以改善水质。该仪器还将作为培训工具，供来自不同背景的学生在Paso del Norte地区及周边地区调查研究问题。这笔赠款的资金将用于购买电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪，其附加功能可以在远紫外线（UV）范围内进行测量，从而分析卤素。该仪器将用于确定和量化下列物质的元素组成：1）水样; 2）土壤和岩石沥滤物; 3）非液体生物和地质材料的数字化。该仪器将使和扩大在地球，生物和环境科学和土木工程，以及劳动力培训和学术发展在得克萨斯大学埃尔帕索的多样化的研究和培训。仪器（Horiba Ultima Expert）和氮气发生器（Peak Scientific NG 5000 A）是对来自各种基质的液体样品进行元素定量的理想选择，包括分析该地区沉积盆地中发现的盐水（总溶解固体含量高达或超过300，000 mg/L）对应的高盐溶液中的元素。新仪器将用于为以下研究提供数据：（1）干旱和盐碱系统中的水地球化学;（2）旱地元素循环;（3）评价和测试微咸水和咸水处理方法。获得这样一个工具将推动根据不断变化的农业、气候和土地使用条件对土壤、水和空气质量进行持续研究。由于样品操作相对简单，电感耦合等离子体光发射光谱仪的设计稳健，仪器采购将允许直接使用的经验和数据利用在学生的项目和课程在研究生和本科水平。该仪器将被整合到本科研究中，为UTEP的学生提供特殊的培训和经验，UTEP是一个西班牙裔服务机构（HSI）。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持的。

This award will provide The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) with an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer, an instrument capable of producing data on the relative abundance of chemical elements in many types of samples. The instrument and the data produced will support a range of on-going and planned projects ranging from study of the nature and origin of saline groundwater, the origin and sourcing of dust, the cycling of nutrients in soils, and the quality of water treated through desalination and other methods to improve water quality. The instrument will also be used as a training tool for students from a broad range of backgrounds to investigate research questions in the Paso del Norte region and surrounding areas.Funds from this grant will be used to acquire an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer, with add-ons to allow for measurement in the far ultraviolet (UV) allowing for the analysis of halogens. The instrument will be used to identify and quantify the elemental composition of: 1) water samples; 2) soil and rock leachates; and 3) digestions of non-liquid biological and geological materials. The instrument will enable and expand diverse research and training in Earth, biological, and environmental sciences and civil engineering, as well as workforce training and scholastic development at The University of Texas at El Paso. The instrument (Horiba Ultima Expert) and nitrogen generator (Peak Scientific NG5000A) are ideal for elemental quantification in liquid samples from a broad range of matrixes, including the analysis of elements in very saline solutions corresponding to brines (up to and exceeding 300,000 mg/L total dissolved solids) which are found in sedimentary basins in the region. The new instrument will be used to produce data for studies on: 1) aqueous geochemistry in arid and saline systems; 2) dryland element cycling; and 3) evaluation and testing of brackish and saline water treatment methods. Access to such an instrument will advance continuing research on soil, water, and air quality in light of evolving agricultural, climatic, and land-use conditions. Given relative simplicity of sample operation and robust design of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometers, instrument acquisition will allow for direct-use experience and data utilization in student projects and coursework at both the graduate and undergraduate level. The instrument will be integrated in undergraduate research provides an exceptional training and experiences for students at UTEP, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).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.