Funds from this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program grant will support acquisition of a fluid inclusion microthermometric stage and dedicated microscope and column upgrades for an existing ion chromatograph in the Department of Geology at Central Michigan University. The equipment will support research that relies on chemical characterization of individual fluid and melt inclusions. Examples include studies of: 1) paleoseawater chemistry and the search for chemical clues to early microbial life as recorded in marine evaporites; 2) characterization of ore deposit hosted fluid inclusions in order to elucidate the environmental conditions leading to their origin; and 3) magmatic fluid inclusions in pegmatite deposits to decipher their petrogenesis. The requested fluid and melt inclusion analytical equipment will support student experiences with state-of-the-art technologies for chemical characterization of mineral-hosted inclusions. The PIs will continue and enhance a local underrepresented K-12 outreach program in the Detroit metro area which focuses on forensic chemical analysis techniques.
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