March 30, 2005

EnviroSuite: Environmental Science at the NSLS

Created in response to rapidly growing interest in environmental synchrotron science, the EnviroSuite Strategic Initiative is designed to support and develop a suite of state-of-the-art resources at the NSLS for molecular environmental science research. Its mission is to optimize and expand synchrotron-based techniques for exploring environmental questions, to establish substantial involvement in several beamlines to bring a multifaceted approach to complex environmental processes, and to introduce new users to these capabilities at the NSLS. EnviroSuite now provides a unified voice for the diverse community of environmental science users.

Environmental scientists (from left) Jeff Fitts (EnviroSuite Coordinator), Mark Fuhrmann (X11 Spokesperson), and Paul Northrup (X15B Spokesperson) at the X15B end station.

EnviroSuite is coordinated by the Environmental Research and Technology Division of BNL's Environmental Sciences Department, and is funded by the DOE Office of Biological & Environmental Research, Environmental Remediation Sciences Division (BER:ERSD). Similar programs have been initiated at all four DOE synchrotron facilities. Its BNL core consists of a number of environmental scientists, who work closely with the NSLS and with CEMS, the NSF/DOE-funded Center for Environmental Molecular Science based at Stony Brook www.cems.stonybrook.edu).

EnviroSuite is taking an active role in both PRT and NSLS facility beamlines, in order to direct the course of beamline development and harness the resources to conduct leading research. As a result, both capital funding and scientific staff have been brought to the NSLS. Some of these are described in more detail below. In addition, a key goal of the EnviroSuite program is to establish the framework for multi-beamline studies, such as combining bulk EXAFS with microspectroscopy and imaging of elemental and species distributions.

NSLS facility beamline X27A, a new hard X-ray microprobe beamline, was highlighted in the December 2004 Newsletter. It will have a 5x15 m spot size at 3.5 - 32 keV, a 13-element solid state detector, and control software modeled after the beamline X26A system. EnviroSuite collaborated with the NSLS, X26A, and CEMS for the design and commissioning of X27A, and provided the detector. This beamline will greatly increase available microbeam resources at the NSLS. Environmental applications include X-ray fluorescence microanalysis of trace elements, mapping of their distribution, and microspectroscopy.

Beamline X11 is one of the most scientifically productive and historically important beamlines at the NSLS, being used primarily for bulk EXAFS experiments. It has an unfocused beam (0.5x10 mm), and operates in the energy range from 4.5 - 35 keV. It is versatile, and can accommodate a variety of sample types as well as in-situ studies. EnviroSuite will be adding a new 13-element Ge detector to X11A, to enhance its capabilities for low-concentration and otherwise challenging environmental samples. Detector capability at X11B will also be upgraded.

Beamline X15B is designed for low- to medium-energy bulk and surface XAS (optimized for 1.7 - 5 keV). It has a 1 mm focused spot size, and can address samples in ultra-high vacuum or air/He atmosphere. Current research includes phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon K-edge, cadmium L-edge, and uranium and lead M-edge spectroscopy.

Beamline X1A is a soft X-ray beamline used for scanning transmission x-ray spectromicroscopy. Its primary emphasis is on organic materials at the carbon and oxygen absorption edges. With a resolution of ~30 nm, X1A is well-suited for imaging molecular chemical features on a sub-cellular scale, such as for research exploring mechanisms of biotransformation of radioactive and toxic species. Recent upgrades include a BER:ERSD-funded laser interferometer.

EnviroSuite can provide guidance for new and experienced General Users with environmental science research at these and other beamlines. BNL Environmental Science Department resources include laboratory facilities for handling radioactive and hazardous materials and wastes, and for sample preparation. Experimental protocols are being developed to facilitate safe handling and analysis of samples containing radionuclides. For further information, see the EnviroSuite and NSLS web pages (www.bnl.gov/envirosuite, www.nsls.bnl.gov) or contact Jeff Fitts (fitts@bnl.gov).

ARTICLE BY: Paul Northrup

PHOTO BY: Roger Stoutenburgh