This award will provide for one half the funds necessary to acquire an isotope ratio mass spectrometer with small sample capabilities. The University of Texas at Austin has a commitment to provide the additional funding needed for this acquisition. This state of the art instrument will replace a 20 year old instrument, and will be capable of analyzing very small samples. Small sample capability is necessary to utilize an existing laser-based extraction system, and to utilize two laser-based systems under construction. The PI and his students are expected to continue to be leaders in the field of sedimentary geochemistry. This new instrument should help them to develop new techniques for small sample analysis. Spot analysis of minerals will then be possible; this can be crucially important to refine our understanding of the chemistry of sedimentary materials.
