Proposal Objectives and Relevance to Program Objectives: The U.S. investigators will work with William James McCabe from the Institute of Nuclear Sciences located at Lower Hutt, New Zealand, over a period of two years. The project is aimed at the development and application of a new method for the separation of isotopes. The radio chemistry group at New Zealand's Institute of Nuclear Sciences has developed a new process for the chemical separation of uranium, thorium, and protoactinium from geologic samples. The method, based on temperature-controlled ion exchange techniques and rotating disc electrodeposition, provides quantitative recoveries of these elements. This project seeks to improve the method by including simultaneous separation of polonium, radium, lead, and other elements. In addition to further enhancement of this new technique, several applications to on-going research projects at both institutions are planned. These projects include a study of radiochemical contamination of ground water in southwest Florida and dating of Pleistocene terraces in New Zealand. The combination of techniques and of expertise of the U.S. and New Zealand scientists helps fulfill the objective of the Program of promoting research of mutual benefit to both countries. Merit: The use of the technique pioneered in New Zealand with the further development by the U.S. investigators holds considerable potential for continued benefits. The introduction of this technology into the U.S. will provide an opportunity to expand the available dating techniques for small, low-yield samples common in ocean sciences. The project has been recommended by the Marine Geology and Geophysics Program for funding with high priority, and will take place with the concurrence of the New Zealand executive agent for the cooperative program. Relation to Other Projects and Funding: The research proposed here represents the addition of an international collaborative effort to research currently being supported domestically by the Marine Geology Program (OCE 85-20724) and by the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation. There is no duplication of funding, as this award provides only foreign travel, communication and support for the shipping of samples.
