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Project: Request for a stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer with facilities fo...
  • Title (NL) Aanvraag voor een stabiele isotoop ratio massaspectrometer met faciliteiten voor nauwkeurige metingen van carbonaten en silicaten
  • Period 02 / 2004 - 12 / 2010
  • Status Current
Abstract
bullet Abstract Over the past thirty years the determination of stable oxygen and carbon isotopes ratios has developed into one of the most important tools in paleoceanography, paleoclimatology, (bio)geochemistry, paleolimnology and system ecology. Nowadays, large quantities of measurements on relatively small-sized samples are required to explore the full potential of stable isotope ratios in both paleo-and actuo-studies. In our current and future research programmes, high-resolution stable isotope records of long and continuous marine and terrestrial successions are becoming increasingly important to unravel the intrinsic relationships of climate change within the full spectrum of annual to Milankovitch frequency bands. Moreover, we aim to enlarge our knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms underlying the isotopic and trace metal fractionation and incorporation of foraminiferal shells by using an experimental set-up of living (benthic) foraminifera and field studies. Finally, we intend to explore the silicon and oxygen isotope ratios of diatoms in lacustrine and marine (paleo)environments to shed new light upon unsolved climatic and oceanographic-related phenomena, such as the Messinian diatomite cycles. With the requested instrumentation, which includes a Finnigan MAT 253 mass spectrometer, Kiel-III carbonate device and a laser fluorination system (MIR10-50), it is possible to measure automatically the large quantities of small-sized samples (i.e. single chambers to a few individual foraminiferal specimens) that are needed to fulfil our scientific objectives. Importantly, the residue of the stable isotope sample following analysis (e.g. dissolved foraminiferal shell) can be retained for trace metal analysis. This combined analysis, which is of fundamental importance to improve our knowledge of the climatic and biological processes recorded by the isotope signal, is as yet not possible in the Netherlands. The laser fluorination system will open the possibility to measure the oxygen and silicon isotope ratios in diatoms and offers an important new application to the Dutch paleoclimate community as well. The members of the research group are all participants of the Netherland Research School of Sedimentary Geology (NSG) and internationally recognized in their fields. The requested instrumentation will upgrade existing facilities to a state-of-the-art level and allow the research group to maintain their international position and continue their high-quality research in such exciting fields as paleoclimatology, paleoceanography, paleohydrology, biogeochemistry, and high-resolution astronomically tuned geological time scales.
Related organisations
bullet Secretariat Departement Aardwetenschappen - IVAU (UU)
bullet Financier NWO Aard- en Levenswetenschappen - ALW (NWO)
Related people
bullet Project leader Dr. L.J. Lourens
Classification
bullet A31300 Scientific equipment
bullet D15200 Paleontology, stratigraphy
bullet D15500 Atmospherical sciences
bullet D15600 Hydrospheric sciences
Data Supplier: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO)
Update this data in the Dutch Research Database (NOD).