9601668 Sherrell Funds are provided to Rutgers University for acquisition of an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS) and an Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) which will be utilized for integrated and interdisciplinary studies of coastal biogeochemistry. The IRMS will allow the determination of stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen in samples of sea water, particulate organic matter, and plant and animal tissue. The ICP-MS will permit rapid sensitive analysis of a suite of elements which act as important tracers of pathways within biogeochemical cycles in the marine environment. Both mass spectrometers will be managed by faculty working groups in user groups, and the instruments will be run on a cost per sample basis. Rutgers University is supporting this project with $316,000, which represents a 44% costshare. ***
