Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Université du Québec à Montréal
$150,000.00
""Tabletop SEM for routine observations and analyses of biogenic tracers and minerals with applications in geosciences, and climate and environmental change studies""
FY 2011-12
Summary
The research tool consists of a tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM) with a magnification of up to 30 000x. It is equipped with an energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) system for quantitative elemental analyses, basic imaging devices and an anti-vibration bench. Additional items include (i) a motorized stage to navigate using coordinates to locate selected objects and for surface mapping, (ii) accessories to tilt and rotate objects in order to have access to all surfaces, (iii) a cooling system for the analyses of malleable objects such as those composed of organic matter.
The microscope will be used for the observation and analysis of microscopic biogenic remains composed of organic matter, calcium carbonate and silica, in addition to minerals from sediments and rocks. It will permit detailed observations, descriptions, and photographs of selected specimens, which are essential for taxonomical studies. The microscope will not only allow for detailed visualizations of crystals and ultra-structures of the minerals which compose the wall, frustules or shells of microfossils, but will also provide quantitative and qualitative information on their chemical composition. The SEM will also be used to identify primary minerals, in-fillings and diagenetic minerals prior to laser-ablation of samples to be analyzed with mass spectrometers for trace elements and their isotopes. It can also be used to identify microscopic mineral textures such as twinning, exsolution and zoning within minerals. The applications for the SEM encompass, in particular, the taxonomy of micro-organisms, biomineralization and diagenetic processes in the water column and at the sediment-water interface. These specific applications are then used to observe the environmental changes in marine, lake and wetland environments in response to natural causes or to human-related perturbations. Other applications include the formation and dating of rocks and minerals.
This research tool has the advantage of being user-friendly and relatively inexpensive to maintain, thus allowing several operators (researchers and students) to be trained to use the facility on a regular basis.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Quebec, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
422121-2012
Name nom
DeVernal, Anne
Department département
Sciences de la terre et de l'atmosphère
Organization id
57
Institution établissement
Université du Québec à Montréal
Province en
Québec
Province fr
Québec
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2011
Competition year année de concours
2012
Award amount
150000
Program id
EQPEQ
Program nane en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1506
Committee name en
Geosciences
Committee name fr
Géosciences
Area of application code
409
Area of application group en
Environment
Area of application group fr
Environnement
Area of application en
Environmental impact of economic activities (including agriculture)
Area of application fr
Effet des activités économiques sur l'environnement (y compris agriculture)
Research subject code
4011
Research subject group en
Earth science
Research subject group fr
Sciences de la terre
Research subject en
Paleoclimatology
Research subject fr
Paléoclimatologie
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
""Tabletop SEM for routine observations and analyses of biogenic tracers and minerals with applications in geosciences, and climate and environmental change studies""
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The research tool consists of a tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM) with a magnification of up to 30 000x. It is equipped with an energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) system for quantitative elemental analyses, basic imaging devices and an anti-vibration bench. Additional items include (i) a motorized stage to navigate using coordinates to locate selected objects and for surface mapping, (ii) accessories to tilt and rotate objects in order to have access to all surfaces, (iii) a cooling system for the analyses of malleable objects such as those composed of organic matter.
The microscope will be used for the observation and analysis of microscopic biogenic remains composed of organic matter, calcium carbonate and silica, in addition to minerals from sediments and rocks. It will permit detailed observations, descriptions, and photographs of selected specimens, which are essential for taxonomical studies. The microscope will not only allow for detailed visualizations of crystals and ultra-structures of the minerals which compose the wall, frustules or shells of microfossils, but will also provide quantitative and qualitative information on their chemical composition. The SEM will also be used to identify primary minerals, in-fillings and diagenetic minerals prior to laser-ablation of samples to be analyzed with mass spectrometers for trace elements and their isotopes. It can also be used to identify microscopic mineral textures such as twinning, exsolution and zoning within minerals. The applications for the SEM encompass, in particular, the taxonomy of micro-organisms, biomineralization and diagenetic processes in the water column and at the sediment-water interface. These specific applications are then used to observe the environmental changes in marine, lake and wetland environments in response to natural causes or to human-related perturbations. Other applications include the formation and dating of rocks and minerals.
This research tool has the advantage of being user-friendly and relatively inexpensive to maintain, thus allowing several operators (researchers and students) to be trained to use the facility on a regular basis.
