Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

We are requesting an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) that will be coupled to our liquid chromatography and our asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation system in order to determine metal speciation in natural and biological samples. A sensitive, reliable and matrix-tolerant ICP-MS will strongly support several funded/pending research programs (NSERC, ArcticNet, NIH, FRQNT) requiring the analysis of aqueous samples, including the analysis of metal(loil)s concentrations in pristine lake and marine waters, determination of metal(loid) speciation, and determinations of metal(loid)s in biological and human materials. However, our present ability to examine inorganic contaminant concentrations in aqueous samples is seriously impacted by the frequent breakdown of our >13 years old ICP-MS; our >9 years old ICP-MS is at near full capacity. Currently, there is no additional capacity for metal(loid) analyses at the Université de Sherbrooke. The acquisition of a sensitive, matrix tolerant and state-of-the-art ICP-MS will consolidate our position as leaders in the biogeochemistry and environmental geochemistry fields and provide new training opportunities and research directions in the environmental and health sciences.