NSF Org:	EAR Division Of Earth Sciences
Recipient:	UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM
Initial Amendment Date:	April 10, 2009
Latest Amendment Date:	August 24, 2009
Award Number:	0901938
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Thomas J. Boyd EAR  Division Of Earth Sciences GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	April 15, 2009
End Date:	March 31, 2010 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$0.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$72,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2009 = $72,000.00
History of Investigator:	Clark Johnson (Principal Investigator) clarkj@geology.wisc.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of Wisconsin-Madison 21 N PARK ST STE 6301 MADISON WI  US  53715-1218 (608)262-3822
Sponsor Congressional District:	02
Primary Place of Performance:	University of Wisconsin-Madison 21 N PARK ST STE 6301 MADISON WI  US  53715-1218
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	02
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	LCLSJAGTNZQ7
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	Instrumentation & Facilities, Geobiology & Low-Temp Geochem
Primary Program Source:	01000910DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):	0000, OTHR
Program Element Code(s):	158000, 729500
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.050

ABSTRACT

0901938
Johnson


This proposal seeks funding of $60K for partial purchase of a femtosecond laser ablation system (fsLA) to be used as an sample introduction system on an existing multi-collector ICP-MS system within the Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory at UW-Madison. The University will contribute $355K and NASA will contribute $60K toward the purchase. Isotope measurements may be improved by shorter wavelength, faster pulse-width laser ablation systems. Systems with wavelengths in the deep UV and femtosecond pulse widths are beginning to be fielded in the geoscience community. Recent studies show radiogenic isotopes ratios with elements like Sr, Pb and Hf are better preserved from source material when ablated using fsLA. The prime goal for initial experiments is measuring Fe isotopes in individual carbonates produced by microbial Fe3+ reduction. The fsLA system will be necessary to tease out Fe fractionation factors which would not possible with bulk analyses. Measurements with bulk carbonates is particularly challenging because Fe isotopes tend to fractionate during dissolution. The effect is noticeable when sequential acid digestions are performed. The fsLA system should allow individual carbonates to be analyzed mitigating this bias. The PIs present considerable evidence to support the fsLA system over microprobe or SIMS analyses. Combination analysis with both SIMS and fsLA is suggested. The fsLA system will offer a wide range of analytical possibilities to UW-M. Students and post-docs will be able to utilize the system. While Fe isotopes will be initial focus, sedimentary and igneous geochemistry will benefit from shorter pulse laser ablation. Zircon U-Pb and Hf analyses will be possible. Collaborative efforts with the Rare Gas Laboratory at UW-M will also be evident.

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