This $258,571 National Science Foundation Project Grant supports the acquisition of a purge and trap isotope ratio mass spectrometer (PT-IRMS) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The PT-IRMS will enable leading-edge compound-specific isotope analysis of key organic and inorganic materials to advance basic research and collaboration among diverse university researchers. Funded through the NSF's Integrative Activities program (CFDA 47.083), which enhances U.S. STEM competitiveness through critical infrastructure development and broadening participation, this award will provide students, including those from underrepresented groups, equal access to cutting-edge instrumentation and hands-on experience applicable to STEM careers. Specifically, the PT-IRMS will allow for investigation of food web responses to environmental changes, nutrient assimilation in phytoplankton under varying conditions, greenhouse gas emissions in Texas coastal ecosystems experiencing high nutrient loads, and isotope exchange mechanisms in corals facing ocean acidification. Completing September 2025, this infrastructure award aims to expand the university's research capabilities and promote diversity in regional and national STEM workforces.
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