Award Abstract #0521018
Acquisition of a Gas-Source Mass Spectrometer for Microbiological, Biogeochemical and Food Web Analysis

NSF Org:	DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure
Initial Amendment Date:	September 9, 2005
Latest Amendment Date:	September 9, 2005
Award Number:	0521018
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Robyn E. Hannigan DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	September 1, 2005
Expires:	August 31, 2008 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$309538
Investigator(s):	Robert Findlay rfindlay@biology.as.ua.edu (Principal Investigator) Amelia Ward (Co-Principal Investigator) Alexander Huryn (Co-Principal Investigator) Eric Roden (Co-Principal Investigator) Julie Olson (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	University of Alabama Tuscaloosa 801 University Blvd. TUSCALOOSA, AL 35487 205/348-5152
NSF Program(s):	MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	BIOT, 9184, 9150
Program Element Code(s):	1189

ABSTRACT

This award is for the acquisition of a gas-source mass spectrometer for microbiological, biogeochemical and food web analysis. The mass spectrometer will be used to determine the stable carbon, nitrogen and sulfur ratios on bulk organic samples and individual molecules in a variety of research projects by ecologists, biogeochemists and geologists. The six University of Alabama faculty on this award collaborate widely on research areas including (1) energy flow in stream and wetland ecosystems, (2) coupled biochemical cycling and trophodynamics of mercury in southeastern riverine ecosystems, the Everglades and the METALLICUS lakes projects, (3) determination of biotic and abiotic transformations of priority pollutants in groundwater systems, (4) ecology of deep-water corals in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, (5) subsurface in situ immobilization of uranium coupled to dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterial activity, and (6) biogeochemistry of Mars-like environments.

This award will impact teaching and research of both undergraduate and graduate students. The mass spectrometer will be in the Aquatic Chemistry Laboratory (a research facility within the Center for Freshwater Studies) at the university. Minority participation will be ensured through the efforts of the University of Alabama faculty and through the continuation of a long-standing relationship with Stillman College (an historically black college in Tuscaloosa).

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