9724409 Carlson This grant, made through the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, provides $574,172 as partial support of the costs of acquiring a multi-collector, high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-HR-ICP-MS) with a laser ablation microprobe for high sensitivity, high precision and high spatial resolution studies in geochemistry, geochronology and cosmochemistry. The multi- collector HR-ICP-MS is considered a potentially revolutionary instrument for studies of the isotopic composition of elements with high ionization potentials which, prior to the advent of the MC-HR-ICP-MS, have alluded serious study. The Micromass Iso-PlasmaTrace ICP-MS that the PI's will acquire will enhance and/or make possible fundamental studies in the Earth sciences. Evidence for core-mantle exchange based on high precision analyses of platinum group elements (PGE) in mafic and ultramafic samples, determination of the degree of chemical heterogeneity in the early mantle using Lu-Hf isotope systematics and geochronologic investigations of time scales of magma transport through the mantle based on uranium disequilibria series isotope systematics are just a few of the examples of the research that can be addressed given the stated capabilities of this new generation instrument. This instrument will also provide training on state-of-the-art geochemical instrumentation for some of the top earth science scholars in the world through CIW-DTM's postdoctoral/guest scientist program. ***
