An award has been made to Western Washington University under the direction of Dr. David U. Hooper for the acquisition of a system for analyzing carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. The instruments will support research on nutrient analysis of plants, soils, sediments, and various water samples from streams, oceans, and drainage systems. The instrument system will be housed in the Integrated Laboratory Network, which allows for remote operation and real time visualization of data in research laboratories and classrooms across the campus. Such measurements are essential in studies of invasive plant species, restoration of vegetation near streams, carbon and nitrogen cycling in disturbed forest soils, and nutrient cycling in marine and wetland habitats. Western Washington University has a strong emphasis on undergraduate education, including programs in student research. The instrument system will be used by undergraduates and masters level students for projects, and in courses taught by faculty in biology and environmental sciences.
