Upgrading of Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer For Automated Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotope Analysis of Water

Washington University, Saint Louis MO

Investigators

Abstract

0343017 Criss This grant provides partial support for the acquisition of automated headspace equilibration device for stable isotopic analysis of H and O in natural water samples. The device would be mated to an existing stable isotope mass spectrometer (Finnigan MAT 252) in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at Washington University - St Louis (Wash-SL). The upgrade of this facility will support NSF/EAR funded research that relies on stable isotopic data to study the residence time and base flow of economically important major rivers in the central U.S. from storm to drought conditions (e.g., the Mississippi and the Missouri) and study of the flow dynamics of karst systems in response to storm events. The upgraded SIRMS facility will also support student training in methods of stable isotopic analysis in the hydrologic as well as petrologic sciences. ***