Principal Investigator: Rinat Gabitov
Led by Dr. Rinat Gabitov, this project explored the potential of nitrogen incorporation in calcite as a proxy for tracking environmental pollution, particularly nitrate contamination in groundwater. The research aimed to develop high-resolution analytical techniques for detecting nitrogen in speleothems (cave deposits), which could serve as paleo-recorders of nitrate levels over time.
The project involved a series of calcite precipitation experiments at Mississippi State University, followed by advanced analytical work conducted during Dr. Gabitov’s Fulbright Scholarship at Lancaster University and the University of Edinburgh. Using colorimetry and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), the team developed and refined methods for both bulk and in situ nitrogen analysis in synthetic calcite crystals.
While initial attempts to measure nitrate uptake in calcite faced technical challenges, the research pivoted to focus on ammonia-bearing systems, which yielded successful results. A grant from the UK National Facility supported further SIMS analyses, and a calibration curve is now being developed to enable micron-scale nitrogen measurements in cave deposits. This advancement could significantly enhance the temporal resolution of nitrate records, potentially down to a weekly scale. The project has laid the groundwork for future collaborative proposals to NSF and UK research councils, and has also opened the door to potential industry partnerships, including with Omya, a global leader in calcium carbonate production.