Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

This proposal requests a High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system for analyzing pigments from photosynthetic algae, bacteria and higher plants in samples of water, benthos (substrates on the bottom of lakes and streams), biota and sediment.  Specifically, we request an Agilent 1200 Series HPLC system with autoanalyzer and other specifications that allow rapid quantification and identification of pigments in large numbers of samples (20 samples/day) to support research and training programs of four professors dedicated to understanding how natural aquatic systems respond to, and recover from, human disturbances and natural phenomena.  The requested equipment will allow significant improvements in terms of quantity and quality of data that can be produced with existing and future research funds by allowing research programs to quantify responses of algae and photosynthetic bacteria via machine-aided measurements of pigment molecules, rather than time-consuming, costly analyses by humans using microscopes.  The equipment will provide important information to determine the impacts of climate variability, river regulation and consumptive water use on aquatic systems in important floodplain environments (e.g., Mackenzie Drainage Basin); to understand linkages between meteorological conditions and primary producers in Lake Bosumtwi (Ghana) as required to interpret 1 million year long records of climate change from equatorial west Africa; to develop innovative new methods to monitor water quality using benthic algae to improve management of surface waters on regional to national scales; to improve our understanding of factors promoting excessive growth of nuisance algae and production of toxins by algae; and to improve understanding of how free-floating algae (phytoplankton) in lakes adapt to stresses such as UV radiation. The proposed HPLC system will significantly enhance opportunities for training highly qualified personnel in state-of-the-art techniques in aquatic ecology, hydro-ecology and paleoecology.  Use of HPLC systems by private and government sectors is increasing, thus, training our students on the proposed equipment will enhance their employment opportunities.