Ultra low-level mercury analyzer

无机汞（HgII）的微生物甲基化是环境汞循环中最重要的转化，因为其产物是一种神经毒性的甲基化形式的汞（甲基汞；MeHg），很容易被人类和野生动物生物积累。这个RTI提案支持我目前提交的发现基金和大学教师奖申请，用于一个新的生态系统级研究项目，研究草原湿地中甲基汞生产的生态控制。草原湿地是极其多产的野生动物栖息地，为数百种狩猎和非狩猎野生动物提供了掩护和筑巢地，并包含了北美现存的一些最重要的水禽繁殖栖息地。研究调节草原湿地甲基汞产生的环境因素对于解决草原湿地汞甲基化环境控制的基本空白至关重要，并将为保护这些脆弱栖息地的野生动物种群提供必要的信息。汞的超痕量水平分析对我的研究计划的成功至关重要，因此，该RTI提案要求资金购买Tekran系列2600超痕量汞分析仪。该仪器能够分析各种环境基质中的汞，包括空气、植物、生物群、水和沉积物，已成为分析环境样品中汞的实际仪器。该仪器将升级为包括自动取样器更换器，创建一个全自动、高通量的汞分析系统，并将为培训最先进分析技术的人员提供充足的机会。

The microbial methylation of inorganic mercury (HgII) is the most important transformation in the environmental Hg cycle because the product, a neurotoxic, methylated form of Hg (methylmercury; MeHg), is easily bioaccumulated by humans and wildlife.  This RTI proposal supports my currently submitted Discovery Grant and University Faculty Award application for a new ecosystem-level research program examining ecological controls on the production of MeHg in prairie wetlands.  Prairie wetlands are extremely productive wildlife habitats, providing cover and nesting sites for hundreds of game and non-game wildlife species and containing the some of the most critical waterfowl breeding habitat remaining in North America.  Examining environmental factors regulating MeHg production in prairie wetlands is vital to addressing fundamental gaps in understanding environmental controls on Hg methylation in prairie wetlands and will provide information necessary to protect wildlife populations inhabiting these vulnerable habitats.     The ultra-trace level analysis of Hg is essential to the success of my research program, and therefore, this RTI proposal requests funds to purchase a Tekran Series 2600 ultra-trace level Hg analyzer.  This instrument is capable of analyzing Hg in a variety of environmental matrices, including air, plants, biota, water, and sediment and has become the de facto instrumentation for Hg analysis environmental samples.  This instrument will be upgraded to include an automatic sampler changer, creating a fully automated, high throughput Hg analysis system and will provide ample opportunity for training personnel in state-of-the-art analytical technology.