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Objectives: (1) To analyze samples for project personnel (2) To adopt existing and/or develop new methods for sample analysis (3) To provide training in analytical methods, particularly new methods developed from Center efforts.
Project 7 proposes to analyze samples for other project personnel, develop new analytical methods and provide training. This is a necessary project, and the instruments requested will support the research goals of the project. This project would be essential to completing the priorities of the center.
Approach: We request funding for the acquisition of two germanium-crystal detectors for gamma-ray counting of solid and liquid environmental samples and a gas chromatograph and a gas chromatograph with an electron capture detector.
- Detector #1: The first detector uses a planar (flat) crystal of Ge for high-precision analyses of low-level, large-volume, environmental samples. Primary usage will be for counting sediment-core samples for geochronologies (e.g. 210Pb dating).
- Detector #2: The second detector uses a well-shaped Ge crystal for precision analysis of gamma-emitting radionuclides extracted from water samples, or for small-volume sediment samples.
The detectors will be able to analyze complementary samples (e.g. sediments in Detector #1 and pore-water or overlying water samples in Detector #2). Usage examples include: 210Pb, 226Ra and 234Th counting for sediment geochronologies (age-dating of sediments or mollusk shells); 226Ra, 228Ra, 224Ra, and 228Th counting of water samples for surface water and ground water studies; and 7Be, 210Pb and 228Th analyses for atmospheric deposition and/or bioturbation rate studies.
Gas Chromatograph Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD): The GC-ECD will be used for the detection of halogenated compounds. This instrument will enable sensitive detection of organic contaminants including chlorinated, fluorinated and brominated molecules such as PCBs and pesticides. The ECD offers extreme sensitivity of PCB’s (100-300 ppt).
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