Instrument Acquisition to Analyze Water, Soils, and Biomass for Environmental Research, Monitoring, and Assessment

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT A grant has been awarded to Dr. Alexander Fernald and co-principal investigators Dr. Laurie Abbott, Dr. April Ulery, and Dr. Clint Loest at New Mexico State University to acquire major research instrumentation to analyze water, soils, and biomass for environmental research, monitoring and assessment. The awarded funds will enable purchase of four research instruments: 1) a Flow Injection Analysis System with ion chromatograph for analysis of major cations and anions in water, soils, and biomass; 2)a Nitrogen/Carbon Analyzer for determination of N and C in soils and biomass; 3)a Laser Diffraction Particle Analyzer for measuring particle size distribution of suspended sediment and soils; and 4) an X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrum Analyzer for analysis of metals in liquids, soils, and biosolids. The instrumentation will support research that has the goal of providing information to: 1) reduce negative environmental effects of land use practices, and 2) enhance quality of natural resources in New Mexico and the arid Southwest. Land use impacts on water, soil and biomass threaten sustainable economic use and ecological health of rangeland, forest, agriculture, and wildlife in New Mexico. Water quality is a growing concern with increasing competition for limited water supplies and decreasing availability of high quality irrigation and drinking water. Rapidly growing dairies in New Mexico generate large amounts of animal waste, and pollution from confined animal production threatens water and soil resources. Metal contamination is a problem in areas of New Mexico with naturally high mineral occurrence and in areas impacted by mining, military, and agricultural activities. As a minority-serving land grant institution, the mission of New Mexico State University is to conduct meaningful research, to educate and train scientists, and to extend information to the citizens of the state. The state-of-the-art instrumentation will provide a leap forward in the ability of university investigators to conduct needed environmental research and fulfill the mission to educate. The instrumentation will initially support the research activities of four investigators, faculty in three departments, and federal researchers. It will be used to train graduate and undergraduate students in the use of the instruments as part of their research. Obtaining this equipment will increase NMSU competitiveness for future grant proposals. The equipment will support research to provide critical information that will allow agencies, communities, and individuals to participate in meaningful and sustainable programs that reduce negative environmental effects of land use practices and that enhance the quality of water, soil and biomass resources.