MRI/RUI: Acquisition of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES)

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry and Geosciences at Tarleton State University will acquire an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). This equipment will enhance research in the following areas: a) environmental studies of trace metal cycling; b) compost analysis; c) formation and composition of alkali metal polytellurides and polyselenides in nonaqueous solvents; and d) metasomatic effects on upper mantle symplectites.

An ICP-AES can perform multiple element metal analysis quickly, which makes it an essential instrument for a modern analytical laboratory and a technology with which students must be familiar to fill academic and industrial positions in today's society. These studies will have an impact in a variety of fields, including geochemistry, and environmental, agricultural and inorganic chemistry.