MRI: Acquisition of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Triple Quadrupole mass Spectrometer Instrument for Southeast Louisiana

该奖项由主要研究仪器项目和化学研究仪器项目支持。新奥尔良大学正在购买一台具有激光烧蚀能力的电感耦合三重四极杆质谱仪(ICP-Triple Q-MS)，以支持Phoebe Zito教授及其同事Matthew Tarr、David Podgorski、Viktor Poltavets和Robert Mahon的研究计划。通常，质谱仪是用于鉴定和表征复杂样品中少量化学物种的关键分析方法之一。电感耦合等离子体质谱结合了高温和电离耦合等离子体源和质谱仪。电感耦合等离子体源将样品中元素的原子转化为离子。这些离子随后被分离，并被质谱仪检测到。这是一种高度灵敏的分析技术，能够测量液体样品中非常低的金属和非金属浓度。此次收购加强了大学和地区的研究基础设施。该仪器通过让不同的学生参与到这一现代分析技术中来扩大参与。它还被用于推广活动，涉及路易斯安那州立大学、路易斯安那东南部大学、路易斯安那大学海洋联盟、阿拉斯加大学安克雷奇分校、西南工程师和其他地区机构的学生和教职员工。授予质谱仪旨在加强各级研究和教育。尤其是在考古学领域，它对提高地质记录和陶器粘土来源分析的同位素组成鉴定产生了特别大的影响。该仪器还用于检测环境中纳米颗粒的协同效应，并用于确定自然和人类影响的水生和陆地生态系统中的金属及其浓度。此外，它还有助于测定鱼类、有壳无脊椎动物和珊瑚藻类中的富钙沉淀物，以及测量鱼类和食物网底部生物体中的污染物，其中含有微量元素，如砷和镉。质谱仪还用于与工业合作伙伴一起寻找可再生/可充电电池的创新方法和替代方案。电感耦合等离子体光谱仪还被用于分析与有机物和其他石油络合物结合的痕量元素，这些元素改变了水体中的毒性、生物和非生物反应性以及污染。这一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智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award is supported by the Major Research Instrumentation and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation programs. The University of New Orleans is acquiring an inductively coupled, triple quadrupole, mass spectrometer (ICP-triple Q-MS) with laser ablation capabilities to support the research programs of Professor Phoebe Zito and colleagues Matthew Tarr, David Podgorski, Viktor Poltavets and Robert Mahon. In general, mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the key analytical methods used to identify and characterize small quantities of chemical species in complex samples. An ICP-MS combines a high-temperature and an ionization coupled plasma source with a mass spectrometer. The ICP source converts the atoms of the elements in the sample to ions. These ions are subsequently separated and detected by the mass spectrometer. This is a highly-sensitive analytical technique capable of measuring very low concentrations of metals and non-metals in liquid samples. The acquisition strengthens the research infrastructure at the university and regional area. The instrument broadens participation by involving diverse students with this modern analytical technique. It is also used in outreach activities involving students and faculty from Louisiana State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, the University of Alaska-Anchorage, Southwest Engineers and other area institutions.The award of the mass spectrometer is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. It especially impacts the identification of isotopic compositions to improve the geologic record and the analyzes of clay sources for pottery in the archaeology field. The instrumentation is also used for detecting synergistic effects of nanoparticles in the environment and for identifying metals and their concentrations from natural and human impacted aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. In addition, it contributes to the determination of calcium rich deposits in fishes, shelled invertebrates, and coralline algae and the measurement of contaminants in fishes, and organisms at the base of food webs with trace elements such as arsenic and cadmium. The mass spectrometer is also used to search for innovative approaches and alternatives for renewable/rechargeable batteries with industrial partners. The ICP spectrometer is also employed for analyses of trace elements bound to organic matter and other petroleum complexes altering toxicity, biotic and abiotic reactivity, and contamination in aquatic water bodies.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.