Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Ottawa
$150,000.00
Purchase of an inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer
FY 2010-11
Summary
We propose to purchase an inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). An ICP-MS is an analytical instrument that can determine many elements at low concentrations, below one microgram per litre (1 ppb). We currently have a 14 yr-old Agilent HP4500 ICP-MS. Since installation in 1997, it has been widely used by many researchers and students from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University; over 60 students in the last 6 yrs alone. The instrument has started to show aging, with unstable plasma signals; the manufacturer no longer supports the instrument and does not supply parts. More importantly, many of our projects require an ICP-MS with better capabilities, such as the reducion of interfering molecules, a better tolerance for salts and organic solvents. The new ICP-MS has these improved analytical capabilities to conduct projects listed below.
Hattori's group examines how material recycles in subduction zones using platinum and redox-sensitive elements (arsenic, sulphur, selenium). Clark evaluates the dispersion of radionuclides from nuclear and waste disposal sites. Fortin studies the roles of bacteria in metal dissolution and mineral formation. Cousens and Fowler's groups identify the origin of volcanic rocks using trace elements. Hannington's group uses trace metals in rocks to identify ancient seafloor hydrothermal activity. Lauriol and Veizer use carbonates to evaluate past climate changes. Detellier, Sayari and Fogg synthesize and design new catalysts, which is essential in pharmaceutical manufacturing and environmental remediation. Moon studies the toxicity of metals in fish. Dubé and Tremblay develop technologies to transform waste biomass to useful transportation and heating fuels. They examine trace metals in the biofuels since they are detrimental to engines. Fall designs landfills and nuclear waste disposal sites. In all these projects, precise determinations of trace metals are critical, and require a high-quality ICP-MS. The timing of our application is ideal because the University granted us $25,000/yr to make Nimal DeSilva as full-time Laboratory Manager to supervising students' laboratory work.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
406454-2011
Name nom
Hattori, Keiko
Department département
Earth Sciences
Organization id
28
Institution établissement
University of Ottawa
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2010
Competition year année de concours
2011
Award amount
150000
Program id
EQPEQ
Program name 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
1203
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Earth sciences
Area of application fr
Sciences de la terre
Research subject code
4200
Research subject group en
Geochemistry and geochronology
Research subject group fr
Géochimie et géochronologie
Research subject en
Geochemistry and geochronology
Research subject fr
Géochimie et géochronologie
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Purchase of an inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
We propose to purchase an inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). An ICP-MS is an analytical instrument that can determine many elements at low concentrations, below one microgram per litre (1 ppb). We currently have a 14 yr-old Agilent HP4500 ICP-MS. Since installation in 1997, it has been widely used by many researchers and students from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University; over 60 students in the last 6 yrs alone. The instrument has started to show aging, with unstable plasma signals; the manufacturer no longer supports the instrument and does not supply parts. More importantly, many of our projects require an ICP-MS with better capabilities, such as the reducion of interfering molecules, a better tolerance for salts and organic solvents. The new ICP-MS has these improved analytical capabilities to conduct projects listed below.
Hattori's group examines how material recycles in subduction zones using platinum and redox-sensitive elements (arsenic, sulphur, selenium). Clark evaluates the dispersion of radionuclides from nuclear and waste disposal sites. Fortin studies the roles of bacteria in metal dissolution and mineral formation. Cousens and Fowler's groups identify the origin of volcanic rocks using trace elements. Hannington's group uses trace metals in rocks to identify ancient seafloor hydrothermal activity. Lauriol and Veizer use carbonates to evaluate past climate changes. Detellier, Sayari and Fogg synthesize and design new catalysts, which is essential in pharmaceutical manufacturing and environmental remediation. Moon studies the toxicity of metals in fish. Dubé and Tremblay develop technologies to transform waste biomass to useful transportation and heating fuels. They examine trace metals in the biofuels since they are detrimental to engines. Fall designs landfills and nuclear waste disposal sites. In all these projects, precise determinations of trace metals are critical, and require a high-quality ICP-MS. The timing of our application is ideal because the University granted us $25,000/yr to make Nimal DeSilva as full-time Laboratory Manager to supervising students' laboratory work.
