This project provides partial funding for an automated, multi-collector, solid.source thermal ionization mass spectrometer to be installed at the University of California at Santa Cruz. The mass spectrometer will be used primarily by researchers in the Earth Sciences Board at the University and will form part of a multi-user isotope geochemistry laboratory toward which the University has contributed rooms for the equipment, 50% cost- sharing on the cost of the equipment itself, and hired a full.time technician to aid in the operation and maintenance of the laboratory equipment. Research topics that will be investigated on the new instrument include: isotopic constraints on the evolution of the Earth's mantle and Pre.Cambrian crust, marine biogeochemistry of lead, and a study of rare-earth element distributions in minerals.
