This MRI award funds the acquisition of a liquid water isotope analyzer to support research at the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) LTER. The LWIA will be used in biogeochemical watershed research and compliment current instrumentation at UMBC. Due to rapid and robust capabilities, the new instrument will be used to measure oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios in order to constrain urban water and nutrient flow paths, fluxes, and storage. The LWIA can be used to constrain phase change processes (which fractionate isotopes) which impact water cycling and storage. Direct research goals involve evaluating interactions between stream base-flow and urban infrastructure, source apportioning water in urban storm flows, determining impacts from engineered stormwater infiltration practices on groundwater recharge, quantifying evapotranspiration in urban settings and assessing interaction between vegetation and engineered urban structures. This instrumentation will support research efforts of 12 investigators from six educational and research institutions and two federal agencies. The eventual impact should eventually span the 34 co-PIs and 70+ collaborators involved in the BES LTER. Students should have access to the instrument and collected data. Underrepresented groups will be involved as UMBC and the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies REU will interface with this acquisition. In addition, UMBC has an NSF IGERT to foster education for urban water issues. The PI will be responsible for overall management and maintenance. The instrument will be housed in the Technology Research Center at UMBC in recently-renovated space. A half-time technician will be dedicated to day-to-day operation and maintenance. An online scheduling system will be used to schedule instrument time.
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