SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Sample Collection”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 955 records · Page 53

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2020

Long-term Accumulation, Depth Distribution, and Speciation of Silver Nanoparticles in Biosolids-Amended Soils

Biosolids, when applied to soil, can be a source of metals and metal nanoparticles. One of the metals that forms nanoparticles is silver (Ag), which is commonly used in elemental (Ag(0)) form as an engineered nanomaterial in industrial or consumer products. The objective of this study was to quantify and characterize the accumulation and transport of Ag in a natural soil that has received agronomically-recommended rates of biosolids as fertilizer for the past 23 years (1994{2017). Total Ag concentrations were measured in biosolids and soil samples collected from 0 to 10 cm between 1996 and 2017. In addition, the depth distribution of Ag in the soil down to 60-cm depth was measured in 2017. Electron microscopy, in combination with X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy were used to identify the elemental association and oxidation state of the Ag in the samples. The Ag concentrations in the biosolids-amended soil increased steadily from 1996 until 2007, after which the concentrations leveled off at about 1.25 mg Ag kg-1 soil. This corresponded with a decrease of Ag concentrations in the biosolids over time. The majority of the Ag (82%) was confined to the top 10 cm of the soil, small amounts (14%) were detected in 10 to 20-cm depth, and trace amounts (4%) in 30 to 40-cm depth. The Ag in the biosolids and soil was identified as Ag-containing nanoparticles with a diameter of 10 to 12 nm. Ag was associated with S suggest that these 19 nanoparticles are Ag2S. This could be corroborated in biosolids with X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES); however, the Ag concentrations in the soil samples were too low to allow identification with XANES. Biosolids, when applied at agronomic rates in dryland cropping systems, represent an economically viable source of crop nutrients. In our study, long-term application of biosolids did not increase the concentration of total Ag in soil above a maximum of 1.5 mg Ag kg-1, and the Ag is present in the sulfide form. This concentration is below ecotoxicity limits for Ag2S in soil.

Taylor, Stephen E.↗

DOE OSTI2013

An analysis of the composition and metal contamination of plastics from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

The compositions of three WEEE plastic batches of different origin were investigated using infrared spectroscopy, and the metal content was determined with inductively coupled plasma. The composition analysis of the plastics was based mainly on 14 samples collected from a real waste stream, and showed that the major constituents were high impact polystyrene (42 wt%), acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer (38 wt%) and polypropylene (10 wt%). Their respective standard deviations were 21.4%, 16.5% and 60.7%, indicating a considerable variation even within a single batch. The level of metal particle contamination was found to be low in all samples, whereas wood contamination and rubber contamination were found to be about 1 wt% each in most samples. In the metal content analysis, iron was detected at levels up to 700 ppm in the recyclable waste plastics fraction, which is of concern due to its potential to catalyse redox reactions during melt processing and thus accelerate the degradation of plastics during recycling. Toxic metals were found only at very low concentrations, with the exception of lead and cadmium which could be detected at 200 ppm and 70 ppm levels, respectively, but these values are below the current threshold limits of 1000 ppm and 100 ppm set by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS1992

A manned exobiology laboratory based on the Moon

Establishment of an exobiology laboratory on the Moon would provide a unique opportunity for exploration of extraterrestrial materials on a long-term, ongoing basis, for elucidation of exobiological processes and chemical evolution. A major function of the lunar exobiology laboratory would be to examine samples collected from other planets (e.g., Mars) for the presence of extant or extinct life. By establishing a laboratory on the Moon, preliminary analyses could be conducted away from Earth, thus establishing that extraterrestrial materials are benign before their return to Earth for more extensive investigations. The Moon-based exobiology laboratory would have three major components for study of samples returned from other planets: (1) the search for extant life - this component would focus on the detection and identification of life forms using biological, physical, and chemical methods; (2) the search for extinct life - this component would concentrate on identification of extinct life using micropaleontological physical and chemical means; and (3) the search and evidence of chemical evolution - this component would be devoted to the detection and identification of molecules revealing prebiotic chemical evolution.

Gehrke, Charles W.↗

DOE OSTI2023

SPRUCE Sphagnum Phytobiome Responses to Whole Ecosystem Warming and Elevated Atmospheric CO2 in July, 2017-2021

This dataset reports the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopic composition of Sphagnum moss tissue collected from the Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments (SPRUCE) experimental site within the Marcell Experimental Forest in northern Minnesota, USA. Tissues were collected inside the SPRUCE experimental study plot, where air and peat warming are combined in whole-ecosystem warming treatments, from 2019-2021. Additionally, rates of nitrogen fixation and methane oxidation measured for Sphagnum from 2017, 2019, and 2021. Sphagnum tissue % water content was measured at all timepoints. This dataset was used to conduct analyses within Petro et al (2023). Sphagnum C and N concentrations and 13C and 15N isotopic natural abundance were determined for three replicate Sphagnum tissue samples collected from inside the SPRUCE enclosures in July 2019-2021. Elemental and isotope analyses were conducted at the University of Georgia – Center for Applied Isotope Studies (CAIS; https://cais.uga.edu/). Plant elemental analysis was performed by the micro-Dumas method, while isotopic natural abundance was measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. 13C natural abundance is expressed as the per mille (‰) deviation from the Pee Dee Belemnite standard (PDB) 13C:12C ratio (δ13C), while 15N natural abundance is expressed as the ‰ deviation from the N2 atmospheric 15N:14N ratio (δ15N). Rates of nitrogen fixation and methane oxidation were measured using serum bottle incubations performed with Sphagnum collected inside the SPRUCE enclosures in July 2017, 2019, and 2021. Rates were calculated according to the amount of 15N-N2 or 13C-CH4 (methane) incorporated into the Sphagnum tissue or incubation headspace over the 48-hour intion period. In 2017, incubations were performed in growth chambers set to the temperature of the experimental plots during Sphagnum sampling. In 2019 and 2021, the incubations were performed directly inside the experimental plots. The 13C and 15N isotopic natural abundance data and rate measurements presented in this dataset provide insight into the impacts of whole-ecosystem warming and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) on N and C cycling within the Sphagnum phytobiome. This dataset contains two data files in comma-separate values (*.csv) format. Additional metadata are provided: two data dictionaries and a file-level metadata file in comma-separate values (.csv) format and a user guide in PDF (*.pdf) format. Additional datasets on NH4-N availability, porewater concentrations of CH4 and CO2, and Sphagnum groundcover within the SPRUCE experimental plots are available. These are outlined in the Related Datasets section in the user guide.

delta 13 carbon↗

DOE OSTI2017

Possible Involvement of Permian Phosphoria Formation Oil as a Source of REE and Other Metals Associated with Complex U-V Mineralization in the Northern Bighorn Basin?

The origin of V, U, REE and other metals in the Permian Phosphoria Formation have been speculated and studied by numerous scientists. The exceptionally high concentrations of metals have been interpreted to reflect fundamental transitions from anoxic to oxic marine conditions. Much of the oil in the Bighorn Basin, is sourced by the Phosphoria Formation. Two of the top 10 producing oil fields in Wyoming are located approximately 50 km west of two abandoned U-V mining districts in the northern portion of the basin. These fields produce from basin margin anticlinal structures from Mississippian age reservoir rock. Samples collected from abandoned U-V mines and prospects hosted in Mississippian aged paleokarst in Montana and Wyoming have hydrocarbon residue present and contain anomalous high concentrations of many metals that are found in similar concentrations in the Phosphoria Formation. As, Hg, Mo, Pb, Tl, U, V and Zn, often metals of environmental concern occur in high concentrations in Phosphoria Formation samples and had values ranging from 30–1295 ppm As, 0.179–12.8 ppm Hg, 2–791 ppm Mo, <2–146 ppm Pb, 10–490 ppm Tl, 907–86,800 ppm U, 1240–18,900 ppm V, and 7–2230 ppm Zn, in mineralized samples from this study. The REE plus Y composition of Madison Limestone- and limestone breccia hosted-bitumen reflect similar patterns to both mineralized samples from this study and to U.S. Geological Survey rock samples from studies of the Phosphoria Formation. Geochemical, mineralogical and field data were used to investigate past theories for mineralization of these deposits to determine if U present in home wells and Hg content of fish from rivers on the proximal Crow Indian Reservation may have been derived from these deposits or related to their mode of mineralization.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1987

Detectability of minerals on desert alluvial fans using reflectance spectra

The visible and near-infrared reflectance spectra of soil samples collected from desert alluvial and colluvial surfaces in the Cuprite mining district, Nevada, were analyzed. These surfaces are downslope from hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks that contain spectrally characteristic minerals such as alunite and kaolinite. Coarse fractions of the soils on the alluvial fans are mineralogically variable and express the upslope lithologies; fine fractions are remarkably similar mineralogically and spectrally in all samples because of dilution of local mineral components by regionally derived windblown dust. Theoretical models for spectral mixing and for particle-size effects were used to model the observed spectral variations. Diagnostic mineral absorption bands in the spectra of fan materials were enhanced by computationally removing the spectrum of the homogeneous fine-soil component. Results show that spectral mixing models are useful for analyzing data with high spectral resolution obtained by field and aircraft spectrometers.

Shipman, Hugh↗

NASA NTRS2005

Optical Characterization of Cryptoendolithic Chemical Biosignatures on Antarctic Sandstone Surfaces

We have used several non-destructive optical techniques to study the distribution of organic molecules on an Antarctic sandstone sample collected at Battleship Promontory. Cryptoendolithic microorganisms have been found to inhabit rocks in the dry valleys of Antarctica. These dry deserts are an Earth analog to Mars. Future Mars rovers may search for life in the rocks of Mars with similar instrumentation used in this study. Light microscopy was used to determine five distinct regions and to determine textures on the sample. Deep ultraviolet fluorescence spectroscopy was used to scan the rock for the presence of organic molecules. Organic molecules were present in three of the five regions but not in the crust. There were similarities between each region, but each region presented a unique signature. Raman spectroscopy identified the minerals present and also provided more definitive identifications of the organic molecules. X-ray diffraction was also used to definitively identify the minerals present and corroborate the Raman mineral results.

Harju, Ellen R.↗

NASA NTRS2012

The Violent Early Solar System, as Told by Lunar Sample Geochronology

One of the legacies of the samples collected by the Apollo and Luna missions is the link forged between radiometric ages of rocks and relative ages according to stratigraphic relationships and impact crater size-frequency distributions. Our current understanding of the history of the inner solar system is based on the relative chronology of individual planets, tied to the absolute geochronology of the Moon via these important samples. Sample ages have enabled us to infer that impact-melt breccias from Apollo 14 and 15 record the formation of the Imbrium Basin, those from the highland massifs at Apollo 17 record the age of Serenitatis, those from the KREEP-poor Apollo 16 site record the age of Nectaris, and materials from Luna 24 record the age of Crisium. Ejecta from smaller and younger craters Copernicus and Tycho were sampled at Apollo 12 and 17, respectively, and local craters such as Cone at Apollo 14, and North Ray and South Ray at Apollo 16 were also sampled and ages determined for those events. Much of what we understand about the lunar impact flux is based on these ages. Samples from these nearside locations reveal a preponderance of impact-disturbed or recrystallized ages between 3.75 and 3.95 billion years. Argon and lead loss (and correlated disturbances in the Rb-Sr system) have been attributed to metamorphism of the lunar crust by an enormous number of impacts in a brief pulse of time, called the Lunar Cataclysm or Late Heavy Bombardment. Subsequent high-precision geochronometric analyses of Apollo samples and lunar highlands meteorites show a wider range of ages, but very few older than 4 Ga. The paucity of ancient impact melt rocks has been interpreted to mean that either that most impact basins formed at this time, or that ejecta from the large, near-side, young basins dominates the Apollo samples.

Cohen, Barbara A.↗

NASA NTRS2012

The Violent Early Solar System, as Told by Lunar Sample Geochronology

One of the legacies of the samples collected by the Apollo and Luna missions is the link forged between radiometric ages of rocks and relative ages according to stratigraphic relationships and impact crater size-frequency distributions. Our current understanding of the history of the inner solar system is based on the relative chronology of individual planets, tied to the absolute geochronology of the Moon via these important samples. Samples from these nearside locations reveal a preponderance of impact-disturbed or recrystallized ages between 3.75 and 3.95 billion years. Argon and lead loss (and correlated disturbances in the Rb-Sr system) have been attributed to metamorphism of the lunar crust by an enormous number of impacts in a brief pulse of time, called the Lunar Cataclysm or Late Heavy Bombardment. Subsequent high-precision geochronometric analyses of Apollo samples and lunar highlands meteorites show a wider range of ages, but very few older than 4 Ga. The paucity of ancient impact melt rocks has been interpreted to mean that either that most impact basins formed at this time, or that ejecta from the large, near-side, young basins dominates the Apollo samples. Selenochronology is getting more complicated: new results question meaning of sample ages, crater counts, crater production functions, and the solar system itself. Improved geological mapping of lunar geologic units and boundaries using multiple remote sensing datasets. High-resolution image-based crater counting of discrete geologic units and relating them to location. Improved understanding of the regolith thickness and its global variation (GRAIL). Tying the sampling of impact-melt rocks to the lunar impact flux. Using improved techniques (magnetic fields, diffusion studies, isotopic analysis) on existing samples. New sample return from benchmark craters, particularly SPA, which appears in 2013 Decadal Survey.

Cohen, Barbara↗

NASA NTRS2013

The Violent Early Solar System, as Told by Sample Geochronology

Cohen, Barbara↗

DOE OSTI2020

Characterization of Tank 11H Samples from Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) Batch 3 - Intermediate and Final Samples

Savannah River Remediation (SRR) is currently operating the Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) process to remove 137 Cs from tank waste supernate using an ion exchange process. The TCCR unit processes dissolved salt from Tank 10H through a series of ion exchange columns containing crystalline silicotitanate (CST) and the effluent is then discharged to Tank 11H. Four interim samples pulled from Tank 11H during and just after the completion of processing of Batch 3 through the TCCR process have been analyzed for 137 Cs activity and density. The 137 Cs activity was found to decrease with each subsequent sample, which is consistent with the addition of decontaminated solution to Tank 11H. When compared to the expected composition from mixing the Tank 10H Batch 3 feed with the material already present in Tank 11H, the bulk chemical composition was as expected. A corrosion control sample collected from Tank 11H in June 2020 showed changes in the chemical composition and 137 Cs activity when compared to the composition measured at the end of Batch 2 processing. As there were no additions made to the tank during this period, these changes were attributed to leaching of the solids present in Tank 11H. Additional analyses of the 4 th interim sample are pending and will be documented in a revision to this report.

11H↗

NASA NTRS1979

Trace element release from estuarine sediments of South Mosquito Lagoon near Kennedy Space Center

Analytical partitioning of four trace metals in estuarine sediments collected from eight sites in South Mosquito Lagoon near Kennedy Space Center, in terms of four different categories was accomplished using four different extraction techniques. The concentrations of the four trace metals, Zn, Mn, Cd, and Cu, released in interstitial water extract, 1 N ammonium acetate extract, conc. HCl extract and fusion extract of sediments as well as their concentrations in water samples collected from the same location were determined using flame atomic absorption technique. From the analytical results the percentages of total amount of each metal distributed among four different categories, interstitial water phase, acetate extractable, acid extractable and detrital crystalline material, were determined. Our results suggest that analytical partitioning of trace metals in estuarine sediments may be used to study the mechanism of incorporation of trace metals with sediments from natural waters. A correlation between the seasonal variation in the concentration of acetate extractable trace metals in the sediment and similar variation in their concentration in water was observed. A mechanism for the release of trace metals from estuarine sediments to natural water is also suggested.

Menon, M. P.↗

NASA NTRS2011

Neutron Activation Analysis of Single Grains Recovered by the Hayabusa Spacecraft

The Hayabusa spacecraft was launched on May 9, 2003 and reached an asteroid Itokawa (25143 Itokawa) in September 2005. After accomplishing several scientific observations, the spacecraft tried to collect the surface material of Itokawa by touching down to the asteroid in November. The spacecraft was then navigated for the earth. In encountering several difficulties, Hayabusa finally returned to the earth on June 12, 2010 and the entry capsule was successfully recovered. Initially, a g-scale of solid material was aimed to be captured into the entry capsule. Although the sample collection was not perfectly performed, it was hoped that some extraterrestrial material was stored into the capsule. After careful and extensive examination, more than 1500 particles were recognized visibly by microscopes, most of which were eventually judged to be extraterrestrial, highly probably originated from Itokawa [1]. Several years before the launching of the Hayabusa spacecraft, the initial analysis team was officially formed under the selection panel at ISAS. As a member of this team, we have been preparing for the initial inspection of the returned material from many scientific viewpoints [2]. Once the recovered material had been confirmed to be much less than 1 g, a scheme for the initial analysis was updated accordingly [3]. In this study, we aim to analyze tiny single grains by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). As the initial analysis is to be started in mid-January, 2011, some progress for the initial analysis using INAA is described here. Analytical procedure

Ebihara, M.↗

NASA NTRS2024

Evidence for a ~1 Ga Hypervelocity Impact Event Found in Northwest Greenland

There are likely many undiscovered impact structures on Earth, but several challenges prevent their detection, including possible concealment beneath large ice sheets. In recent years, geophysical, geochemical, and microphysical evidence has mounted for a ca. 58 Ma impact structure under the Hiawatha Glacier, northwest Greenland. Here, we report evidence for a second, much older hypervelocity impact event in this region, recorded in an impact melt rock sample collected from a glaciofluvial deposit in Inglefield Land. Secondary ion mass spectrometry U-Pb analyses of shock metamorphosed zircon grains yielded a previously unrecorded, Proterozoic best estimate impact age of 1039 ± 16 Ma (mean square of weighted deviates = 2.9). Based on Archean−Proterozoic target rock U-Pb ages obtained from unshocked zircon grains and the location of the melt rock sample along the ice margin, we suggest this sample was derived from a hypervelocity impact structure farther inland, concealed by the Greenland Ice Sheet. This study demonstrates the ability to uncover new impact events in some of the most inaccessible areas on Earth and the possibility of sampling multiple impact structures from one location when examining ex situ material. Our results have implications for current and future Martian and lunar returned samples that demonstrably bear complex impact histories.

William R. Hyde↗

DOE OSTI2022

ESS-DIVE Reporting Format for Amplicon Abundance Table

While standardized sequencing data is available in public repositories and efforts such as MIxS for common sample collection and processing metadata are well established, the lack of common bioinformatic processing metadata has hindered the ability to do large-scale metaanalyses and the potential for data re-use by non-experts such as ecosystem, watershed, or earth system modelers. To address this need for Department of Energy researchers, we have developed an amplicon reporting format which captures both sample preparation and bioinformatic processing metadata and stores processed amplicon data as a paired abundance table and sequencing file to maximize the potential for re-use of these data. To aid in the adoption of accessible and reproducible analysis workflows, this reporting format was developed in concert with amplicon functionality within the Department of Energy’s Systems Biology Knowledgebase (KBase) to ensure common data and metadata requirements and facilitate seamless transfer between these platforms.This dataset contains support documentation for the amplicon reporting format (README.md and instructions.md), templates for both bioinformatic and sequencing metadata (amplicon_bioinformatic_metadata_template_2021_10_03.csv and amplicon_sequencing_metadata_template_2021_10_03.csv), a crosswalk indicating how this reporting format relates to the current MIxS format (ESSDIVE-MIxS_crosswalk.csv), a list of available instrument terms (amplicon_seq_instrument_terms_2021_10_03.csv), a map between QIIME2 parameter settings and metadata fields (amplicon_qiime2_plugin_metadata_map.csv), a data dictionary (amplicon_CSV_dd.csv), and file-level metadata (amplicon_FLMD.csv).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2012

Summary Report for the Analysis of the Sludge Batch 7a (Macrobatch 8) DWPF Pour Stream Glass Sample for Canister S03619

In order to comply with the Waste Acceptance Specifications in Sludge Batch 7a (Macrobatch 8), Savannah River National Laboratory personnel characterized the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) pour stream glass sample collected while filling canister S03619. This report summarizes the results of the compositional analysis for reportable oxides and radionuclides, and the normalized Product Consistency Test (PCT) results. The PCT responses indicate that the DWPF produced glass that is significantly more durable than the Environmental Assessment glass. Results and further details are documented in 'Analysis of DWPF Sludge Batch 7a (Macrobatch 8) Pour Stream Samples,' SRNL-STI-2012-00017.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

NASA NTRS1982

Physical and chemical characteristics of Mount St. Helens airborne debris

Tephra and aerosols from the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington were sampled in the lower stratosphere with a WB-57F aircraft. The main body of the plume was intercepted over western Kansas on May 20, 48 hours after the eruption, at an altitude of 15.2 km. Concentrations on filter samples were 26 ng of SO4(-2) of air and 579 ng of ash/g of air. Angular glass pyroclasts ranged in size from 0.5 to 10 microns, with a mean grain of 2 microns. Samples collected at altitudes of 16.7 and 12.5 km had only traces of SO4(-2) and ash. A second flight was flown, 72 hours after the eruption, on May 21. From north Texas to central Wyoming, at an altitude of 15.2 km less than 0.5 to 38 ng of ash/g of air and 1.0 to 2.2 ng of SO4(-2)/g of air were sampled. At an altitude of 18.3 km, from central Wyoming to NW New Mexico, the plume density and character were variable.

Sedlacek, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Development of an advanced spacecraft tandem mass spectrometer

The purpose of this research was to apply current advanced technology in electronics and materials to the development of a miniaturized Tandem Mass Spectrometer that would have the potential for future development into a package suitable for spacecraft use. The mass spectrometer to be used as a basis for the tandem instrument would be a magnetic sector instrument, of Nier-Johnson configuration, as used on the Viking Mars Lander mission. This instrument configuration would then be matched with a suitable second stage MS to provide the benefits of tandem MS operation for rapid identification of unknown organic compounds. This tandem instrument is configured with a newly designed GC system to aid in separation of complex mixtures prior to MS analysis. A number of important results were achieved in the course of this project. Among them were the development of a miniaturized GC subsystem, with a unique desorber-injector, fully temperature feedback controlled oven with powered cooling for rapid reset to ambient conditions, a unique combination inlet system to the MS that provides for both membrane sampling and direct capillary column sample transfer, a compact and ruggedized alignment configuration for the MS, an improved ion source design for increased sensitivity, and a simple, rugged tandem MS configuration that is particularly adaptable to spacecraft use because of its low power and low vacuum pumping requirements. The potential applications of this research include use in manned spacecraft like the space station as a real-time detection and warning device for the presence of potentially harmful trace contaminants of the spacecraft atmosphere, use as an analytical device for evaluating samples collected on the Moon or a planetary surface, or even use in connection with monitoring potentially hazardous conditions that may exist in terrestrial locations such as launch pads, environmental test chambers or other sensitive areas. Commercial development of the technology could lead to a new family of environmental test instruments that would be small and portable, yet would give quick analyses of complex samples.

Drew, Russell C.↗