A field-portable ultra-trace mercury analysis system

我们要求资金支持购买俄亥俄州Lumex®RA-915M汞分析仪及其配套项目和两个基本附件：1)用于分析复杂和固体样品（如鱼组织和沉积物）的pro -915热分解单元，以及2)用于分析水中痕量汞的RP-22 Impinger/Pump附件。该工具包支持四个合作和积极的研究方案，重点关注北部湖泊中土著居民自给渔业的汞积累。拟议的整套仪器是一个完全的现场便携系统；它的创新之处在于它不需要压缩气体，由电池供电，并且（有两个附加组件）能够分析固体和液体样品。该仪器的采购将使我们能够在偏远的北方环境中生成沉积物、土壤、水和生物群中微量汞浓度的数据，在这些环境中，样品保存（如组织冷冻）是不切实际的，并且/或者运输足够的材料到实验室进行分析是具有挑战性的（例如，通过轻型飞机、全地形车、步行）。近实时数据的可用性将使我们和我们的学员能够评估现场的试点数据，并根据需要调整抽样计划。这将节省大量时间和费用，因为目前大多数北部湖泊缺乏背景/试点数据，往往需要至少两个实地季节。在实地产生结果也将使我们能够更有效地参与并向北部利益相关者（如土著群体）报告结果；这将大大增强我们在我们工作的偏远北部社区维持社会许可和信任的能力，这些社区往往充满政治色彩。

We request funds to support the purchase of an Ohio Lumex® RA-915M Mercury Analyzer with ancillary items and two essential add-ons: 1) a PYRO-915 Thermal Decomposition unit for the analyses of complex and solid samples such as fish tissue and sediment, and 2) a RP-22 Impinger/Pump attachment for the analyses of trace mercury in water. This instrument package supports four collaborative and active research programs that focus on accumulation of mercury in northern lakes with Aboriginal subsistence fisheries. The proposed instrument package is a completely field-portable system; it is innovative in that it does not require compressed gas, is battery-operated, and (with two add-ons) is able to analyze solid and liquid samples. Procurement of this instrument will allow us to generate data on trace mercury concentrations in sediments, soils, water, and biota in remote northern environments where sample preservation (such as freezing of tissues) is impractical, and/or the transport of sufficient materials to the laboratory for analyses is challenging (e.g., by light aircraft, all-terrain vehicle, foot). Availability of near real-time data will allow us and our trainees to assess pilot data in the field and adjust sampling programs as necessary. This will result in substantive time and cost savings, as at present the lack of background/pilot data in most northern lakes often necessitates at least two field seasons. Generation of results in the field will also allow us to more effectively engage and report results back to northern stakeholders, such as Aboriginal groups; this will significantly enhance our ability to maintain social license and trust in the often politically-charged remote northern communities that we work in.