9725191 Lvov This award provides funding for the development of an electrochemical system for accurate pH measurements in hydrothermal solutions at temperatures over the range 100-450oC and at pressures of up to a kilobar. The development of an accurate pH measurement system for use at such high temperatures and pressures is expected to advance our fundamental understanding of chemical processes in natural environments such as ocean ridge hydrothermal vents and other volcanic areas where both the generation of life and the formation of mineral deposits are of great interest. This development project is to be accomplished as collaboration between principal investigator teams at the Pennsylvania State University (this award), Temple University and Princeton University (through a companion award). ***