9530417 Kaufman This grant provides $65,000 as partial support of the costs of acquiring equipment and salary support for developing an automated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique for measuring rates of amino acid racemization in fossil organic matter in order to improve upon the existing techniques of both ion-exchange liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC). This method should provide a useful Quaternary chronostratigraphic and paleothermometric tool, offering the ability to measure several amino acid pairs which racemize at different rates thus allowing more precise dating over wider range of ages than with existing LC and/or GC methods. Once calibrated, the improved technique will lead to long-term benefit for Quaternary scientists engaged in geological, climatological, archeological, and geochronological research. ***
