Award Abstract #0216580
Instrument Acquisition to Analyze Water, Soils, and Biomass for Environmental Research, Monitoring, and Assessment

NSF Org:	DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure
Initial Amendment Date:	July 22, 2002
Latest Amendment Date:	July 22, 2002
Award Number:	0216580
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Helen G. Hansma DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	August 1, 2002
Expires:	July 31, 2005 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$216922
Investigator(s):	Alexander Fernald fernald@nmsu.edu (Principal Investigator) Laurie Abbott (Co-Principal Investigator) Clint Loest (Co-Principal Investigator) April Ulery (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	New Mexico State University Corner of Espina St. & Stewart Las Cruces, NM 88003 575/646-1590
NSF Program(s):	MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	BIOT, 9184
Program Element Code(s):	1189

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Alexander Fernald and co-principal

investigators Dr. Laurie Abbott, Dr. April Ulery, and Dr. Clint Loest at New

Mexico State University to acquire major research instrumentation to analyze

water, soils, and biomass for environmental research, monitoring and

assessment. The awarded funds will enable purchase of four research

instruments: 1) a Flow Injection Analysis System with ion chromatograph for analysis of major cations and anions in water, soils, and biomass; 2)a Nitrogen/Carbon

Analyzer for determination of N and C in soils and biomass; 3)a Laser Diffraction Particle Analyzer for measuring particle size distribution of suspended sediment and soils; and 4) an X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrum Analyzer for analysis of metals in liquids, soils, and biosolids. The instrumentation will support research that has the goal of

providing information to: 1) reduce negative environmental effects of land use

practices, and 2) enhance quality of natural resources in New Mexico and the

arid Southwest. Land use impacts on water, soil and biomass threaten

sustainable economic use and ecological health of rangeland, forest,

agriculture, and wildlife in New Mexico. Water quality is a growing concern

with increasing competition for limited water supplies and decreasing

availability of high quality irrigation and drinking water. Rapidly growing

dairies in New Mexico generate large amounts of animal waste, and pollution

from confined animal production threatens water and soil resources. Metal

contamination is a problem in areas of New Mexico with naturally high mineral

occurrence and in areas impacted by mining, military, and agricultural

activities.

As a minority-serving land grant institution, the mission of New Mexico State

University is to conduct meaningful research, to educate and train scientists,

and to extend information to the citizens of the state. The state-of-the-art

instrumentation will provide a leap forward in the ability of university

investigators to conduct needed environmental research and fulfill the mission

to educate. The instrumentation will initially support the research activities

of four investigators, faculty in three departments, and federal researchers.

It will be used to train graduate and undergraduate students in the use of the

instruments as part of their research. Obtaining this equipment will increase

NMSU competitiveness for future grant proposals. The equipment will support

research to provide critical information that will allow agencies, communities,

and individuals to participate in meaningful and sustainable programs that

reduce negative environmental effects of land use practices and that enhance

the quality of water, soil and biomass resources.

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