Acquisition of a Multi-use Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer System

University Of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia MO

Investigators

Abstract

9910489 Kelley This grant provides partial support for the acquisition of a stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (SIRMS) system to be housed in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The Principal Investigator, Cheryl Kelley, is a relatively new addition to the Department and together with colleagues, will use the instrument in research aimed at investigating environmental cycling of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, both past and present. The SIRMS will be equipped with both an elemental analyzer and gas chromatograph front-end, allowing for analysis of compound specific stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes that will aid in elucidating pathways of carbon flow through aquatic microbial communities. The SIRMS will also allow for stable isotopic analysis of biogenic carbonates in paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic investigations and can be configured for the automated introduction of CO2 liberated from carbonate samples. This instrumental system will be heavily used in the training of both graduate and undergraduate students in this growing Department. ***