TEXAS A & M RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Although natural radioisotopes, such as Th(IV), Pa(IV, V), Po(IV, II, -II), and Be(II), are important proxies that have long been used in oceanographic investigations, the molecular interactions and binding relationships between radionuclides and marine organic matter remain unclear. Through years of research, it has become evident that metal ions in the ocean are mostly controlled by biopolymers and other organic molecules excreted by marine micro-organisms, and that biopolymers play a significant role in the biogeochemical cycles of the natural radionuclides that are used as oceanographic tracers.
To identify and characterize the relationships between these biopolymeric carrier compounds and the radionuclides used in tracer research, scientists from Texas A&M University and the University of Southern Mississippi will conduct a comparative study on radioisotopes of thorium (Th), protactinium (Pa), polonium (Po), lead (Pb), and beryllium (Be). This laboratory and field experiment will identify the radioisotope carriers that are effective marine binding ligands and clarify the basics of oceanographic chemical tracer applications of various natural radioisotopes.
Broader Impacts: The results from this research will enhance our fundamental understanding of the biogeochemical controls on natural radionuclide and carbon cycling, in the oceans. This research will also refine the interpretation of data collected in the GEOTRACES program. The project also involves the training of students and international collaborations.
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| AWARD OVERVIEW |
| Award Number |
0851191 |
Funding Agency |
National Science Foundation |
| Total Award Amount |
$460,487 |
Project Location - City |
Galveston |
| Award Date |
06/25/2009 |
Project Location - State |
TX |
| Project Status |
Completed |
Project Location - Zip |
77553-1675
|
| Jobs Reported |
0.36 |
Congressional District |
14 |
| Project Location - Country |
US |
|
|
Recipient Information
(Grants)
| Recipient Information (Grants) |
|
Recipient Name
|
TEXAS A & M RESEARCH FOUNDATION |
| Recipient DUNS Number |
078592789
|
| Recipient Address |
400 HARVEY MITCHELL PKWY S #100 |
| Recipient City |
COLLEGE STATION |
| Recipient State |
Texas |
| Recipient Zip |
77845-4321 |
| Recipient Congressional District |
17 |
| Recipient Country |
USA |
Required to Report Top 5
Highly Compensated Officials |
Yes |
| Top 5 Officers and Compensation |
| Leo J. Paterra |
$200,244.00 |
| Linda F. Woodman |
$148,308.00 |
| Steven R. Garrett |
$144,120.00 |
| Michele R. Lacey |
$127,728.00 |
| Diane L. Hassell |
$109,680.00 |
|
Projects and Jobs Information
| Projects and Jobs Information |
| Project Title |
Collaborative Research: Examining the Binding of Radionuclides with Marine Biopolymers, A Comparative Study on TH, PA, BE, PO and PB Isotopes |
| Project Status |
Completed |
| Final Project Report Submitted |
Yes |
| Project Activities Description |
Public & Societal Benefit |
| Quarterly Activities/Project Description |
Radioisotopes are important proxies in oceanographic investigations, e.g., for tracing particle dynamics and particulate organic matter (POC) fluxes out of the euphotic zone, and for studying boundary scavenging, paleo-productivity and ocean circulation. We hypothesized that specific binding and redox processes control marine scavenging and the most efficient binding would occur to acid polysaccharide- and protein-containing biomolecules. Ongoing experiments attempted to separate, identify and characterize radioisotope carriers that are hypothesized to be effective binding ligands. Laboratory studies consisted of comparative uptake experiments of a suite of naturally occurring radionuclides to a number of substrates, including model organic and inorganic compounds, marine colloidal and particulate organic matter, and biopolymers harvested from cultures. The field program included collections and characterization of diverse types of suspended and sinking organic matter from different parts of the ocean. Colloidal and particulate organic matter samples were collected by a graduate student this summer in the Pacific Ocean off Taiwan, using ships from our collaborating institutions in Taiwan. [The budget included in the proposal is an estimate only. The total expenditures for this project were less than the total amount proposed. All expenditures have been accounted for, and there will not be any further expenses on this project. Work is complete and this is the Final Report.] |
| Jobs Created |
0.36 |
| Description of Jobs Created |
Student Worker, Postdoc Research Associate |
Purchaser Information
(Grants)
| Purchaser Information |
| Contracting Office ID |
Not Reported |
| Contracting Office Name |
Not Available |
| Contracting Office Region |
Not Available |
| TAS Major Program |
49-0101 |
| Award Information |
| Award Date |
06/25/2009 |
| Award Number |
0851191 |
| Order Number |
|
| Award Type |
Grants |
| Funding Agency ID |
49 |
| Funding Agency Name |
National Science Foundation |
| Funding Office Name |
Not Available |
| Awarding Agency ID |
49 |
| Awarding Agency Name |
National Science Foundation |
| Amount of Award |
$460,487 |
| Funds Invoiced/Received |
$460,481 |
| Expenditure Amount |
$460,481 |
| Infrastructure Expenditure Amount |
$0 |
| Infrastructure Purpose and Rationale |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact Name |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact Email |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact Phone |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact Address |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact City |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact State |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact Zip |
Not Reported |
Product or Service Information
(Grants)
| Product or Service Information |
| Primary Activity Code |
W - NTEE |
| Activity Description |
Public & Societal Benefit |
| Sub-Awards Information |
| Sub-awards to Organizations |
0 |
| Sub-award Amounts to Organizations |
$0 |
| Sub-Awards to Individuals |
0 |
| Sub-Award Amounts to Individuals |
$0 |
| Number of Sub-awards less than $25,000/award |
0 |
| Amount of Sub-awards less than $25,000/award |
$0 |
| Number of payments to vendors greater than $25,000 |
0 |
| Total Amount of payments to vendors greater than $25,000/award |
$0 |
| Number of payments to vendors less than $25,000/award |
175 |
| Total Amount of payments to vendors less than $25,000/award |
$128,819 |
| Location Information |
| Latitude, Longitude |
29º 18' 11",
-94º 47' 43" |
| Congressional District |
14 |
| Address 1 |
|
| Address 2 |
|
| City |
Galveston |
| County |
Galveston |
| State |
TX |
| Zip |
77553-1675 |
|
 |