Acquisition of SEM-EDX and upgrade of petrographic microscopy to enhance rapid sediment characterization at LacCore, the National Lacustrine Core Facility

University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis MN

Investigators

Abstract

0932992 Ito "This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)." This proposal will fund a petrographic microscopy system and an SEM-EDX upgrade for rapid sediment core characterization at the Lacustrine Core Facility. The SEM with EDX/EDS elemental analysis will be user friendly and table top to facilitate core analysis. The LacCore facility will be able to offer new capabilities for characterizing new and stored cores. The main advantage of the currently requested instrument is that the PIs will be able to better characterize sediment cores in a non-invasive manner. This will facilitate prioritizing core ranges for sub-sampling and expensive detailed analysis. The proposed petrographic microscope will be used to gain better phase and mineral orientation information. The instrumentation will be incorporated into a generalized analysis scheme which will aid in sample prioritization and efficient analysis. The instrumentation will offer enhanced visualization and stimulate public outreach and student recruitment. The instruments will be incorporated into a summer microscopy camp for middle and high school students. High school students will be trained and allowed to run the instruments. The SEM will be incorporated into an undergraduate laboratory class at UM. ***