Acquisition of a pXRF and pLIBS Instrument Suite for Geochemistry Research in the Urban Environment

便携式X射线荧光(PXRF)和便携式激光诱导击穿光谱(PLIBS)仪器将用于地球化学研究，以确定自然、城市和人类影响环境中土壤、沉积物和其他环境介质的元素组成。罗格斯大学纽瓦克分校是一个拉美裔服务机构，所支持的项目和活动将吸引来自不同背景的学生，并促进他们参与以地方为基础的研究和教育。这些仪器将向本科生研究人员和研究生开放，包括参加NSF赞助的项目的学生，以扩大对地球科学的参与。现场和实验室仪器的使用将包括在课程单元和课堂项目中，以丰富学生在相关课程中的教育经验。易用性和仪器的便携性将有助于将公众纳入STEM研究的社区项目，以及K-12学生参与教育和参与的外展倡议。便携式X射线荧光(PXRF)和便携式激光诱导击穿光谱(PLIBS)仪器的获得将通过提供对自然、城市和人类影响环境中元素浓度的现场无损分析来加强地球化学研究。该仪器套件可以对多种元素进行定量和定性分析，包括碳等轻元素。仪器能力将与补充的以实验室为基础的先进分析技术相结合，用于元素分析、形态形成和基质测定。PXRF/pLIBS仪器套件将用于土壤和沉积物中重金属、常量元素和营养元素的现场和现场分析的地球化学研究。将得到支持的项目将研究与教育和社区参与结合起来，包括新泽西州纽瓦克土壤中重金属的空间分布和形态；新泽西州草甸地区沉积物中遗留污染物的地球化学；以及农业土壤中的微量营养素和碳循环。活动和项目将通过本地和国际研究、课程和全球化课程的一部分，以及NSF赞助的支持地球科学中代表性不足的群体参与的项目，优先培训本科生研究人员和研究生。该奖项反映了NSF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。

Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and portable laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (pLIBS) instruments will be used in Geochemistry research to determine the elemental compositions of soils, sediments, and other environmental media in natural, urban, and human-impacted environments. Rutgers University-Newark is a Hispanic Serving Institution, and supported projects and activities will engage students from diverse backgrounds and foster their participation in place-based research and education. The instruments will be accessible to undergraduate researchers and graduate students, including students participating in NSF-sponsored programs to broaden participation in the Geosciences. Use of the instruments in the field and laboratory will be included in course modules and class projects to enrich the educational experience of students in relevant courses. Ease of use and instrument portability will facilitate inclusion in community- based projects that involve the public in STEM research, and outreach initiatives for education and engagement of K-12 students.Acquisition of portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and portable laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (pLIBS) instruments will enhance Geochemistry research by providing in-field non- destructive analysis of elemental concentrations in natural, urban and human-impacted environments. The instrument suite enables quantitative and qualitative analysis of a wide range of elements, including light elements such as carbon. Instrument capabilities will be coupled with complementary laboratory-based and advanced analytical techniques for elemental analysis, speciation, and matrix determination. The pXRF/pLIBS instrument suite will be used in Geochemistry research for in-situ and in-field analyses of heavy metals, major elements and nutrient elements in soils and sediments. Projects to be supported integrate research with education and community engagement, and include heavy metal spatial distribution and speciation in Newark, New Jersey soils; the geochemistry of legacy pollutants in sediments of the New Jersey Meadowlands; and micronutrient and carbon cycling in agricultural soils. Activities and projects will prioritize training of undergraduate researchers and graduate students through local and international research; in courses and as part of a globalized curriculum; and in NSF-sponsored programs that support participation of groups underrepresented in the Geosciences.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.