MRI/RUI: Acquisition of a GC/MS System for Enhancement of Research/Teaching at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi TX

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi will acquire a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC/MS). This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including a) the semiquantitative analysis of pesticides and other suspected endocrine disruptors; b) analysis of climate patterns based on sedimentary lipid components; c) mechanistic studies on aquatic organisms' response to encironmental contaminants; and d) development of a novel air sampling technique that uses solid cyclodextrins to trap unstable volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Gas chromatograph with mass spectrometric detection (GCMS) is an extremely powerful technique used for the separation and analysis of complex mixtures. This instrument will substantially strengthen scientific research in environmental chemistry at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a primarily undergraduate institution.