Scientific field training for human planetary exploration

Forthcoming human planetary exploration will require increased scientific return (both in real time and post-mission), longer surface stays, greater geographical coverage, longer and more frequent EVAs, and more operational complexities than during the Apollo missions. As such, there is a need to shift the nature of astronauts’ scientific capabilities to something akin to an experienced terrestrial field scientist. To achieve this aim, the authors present a case that astronaut training should include an Apollo-style curriculum based on traditional field school experiences, as well as full immersion in field science programs. Herein we propose four Learning Design Principles (LDPs) focused on optimizing astronaut learning in field science settings. The LDPs are as follows:

(1)

LDP#1: Provide multiple experiences: varied field science activities will hone astronauts’ abilities to adapt to novel scientific opportunities

(2)

LDP#2: Focus on the learner: fostering intrinsic motivation will orient astronauts towards continuous informal learning and a quest for mastery

(3)

LDP#3: Provide a relevant experience—the field site: field sites that share features with future planetary missions will increase the likelihood that astronauts will successfully transfer learning

(4)

LDP#4: Provide a social learning experience—the field science team and their activities: ensuring the field team includes members of varying levels of experience engaged in opportunities for discourse and joint problem solving will facilitate astronauts’ abilities to think and perform like a field scientist.

The proposed training program focuses on the intellectual and technical aspects of field science, as well as the cognitive manner in which field scientists experience, observe and synthesize their environment. The goal of the latter is to help astronauts develop the thought patterns and mechanics of an effective field scientist, thereby providing a broader base of experience and expertise than could be achieved from field school alone. This will enhance their ability to execute, explore and adapt as in-field situations require.     

Survey of historical New Zealand shellfish samples for accumulation of gymnodimine

In 1994 a major biotoxin event occurred along the east coast of the South Island, New Zealand. Gymnodimine, a unique bioactive spiroimine, was isolated and characterised from Foveaux Strait dredge oysters (Tiostrea chilensis = Ostrea chilensis) collected during this outbreak. This study reports the results of liquid chromatographic‐mass spectrometric analysis for gymnodimine in 217 samples from eight species of shellfish over the years 1993–99. Of these samples 155, covering six species of shellfish, contained detectable gymnodimine with a range in concentration from 14.8 to 23 400 μg/kg. Gymnodimine‐containing shellfish occurred at 37 of the 63 sites sampled from around New Zealand. This study demonstrates that accumulation of gymnodimine is not limited to T. chilensis and can occur in other shellfish species over much of New Zealand. Gymnodimine is a possible cause of the numerous historical biotoxin screen‐positive results.     

Detection of nitric acid (HNO<Subscript>3</Subscript>) in the atmosphere using the LOPAP technique

A new instrument (LOPAP: LOng Path liquid Absorption Photometer) for the sensitive detection of nitric acid (HNO₃) in the atmosphere is described. HNO₃ is sampled in a temperature controlled stripping coil mounted in an external sampling module to minimize sampling artefacts in sampling lines. After conversion into a strongly absorbing dye, HNO₃ is detected in long path absorption in special Teflon® AF 2400 tubes used as liquid core wave guides. For the correction of some interferences, due to for example HONO and particle nitrate, two channels are used in series. The interferences from several potential interfering compounds including particle nitrate were quantified in the laboratory and in a large outdoor simulation chamber. With the exception of the interference caused by N₂O₅, which is quantitatively measured by the instrument, all tested interferences can be corrected under atmospheric conditions. Thus, in the instrument only the sum of N(V) from HNO₃ and N₂O₅ is determined, which is expected to be a common problem of wet chemical HNO₃ instruments. The instrument has a detection limit of 5–30 pptv for a time response of 6–2 min, respectively and was validated against the FTIR technique in a large outdoor simulation chamber. In addition, the applicability of the instrument was demonstrated in a field campaign.     

中国南方存在印支期的油气藏——Re-Os同位素体系的制约

利用Re-Os同位素方法开展富含有机质的沥青、原油等的研究,是确定油气成藏时间和破坏时间有效的但极富挑战性的新途径,在国内尚无研究实例报道。以我国南方最大的古油藏之一的麻江古油藏中的沥青为主要对象,采用Re-Os同位素方法试图限定油气的成藏时间和破坏时间。研究表明,麻江古油藏的固体沥青Re、Os同位素质量分数分别在41.5×10-6～642×10-6和0.21×10-6～12.15×10-6之间,N(187Re)/N(188Os)比值较高,且变化范围较大,在270.90～4074.99之间,Os同位素组成指示中等放射成因,其N(187Os)/N(188Os)比值在0.3400～3.6557之间变化。所有沥青样品的模式年龄在28～144Ma之间变化,集中在85Ma左右。通过沥青Re-Os同位素研究,结合详细地质资料,认为麻江古油藏的成藏时间为印支期—早燕山期(144Ma之前),而油藏破坏时间为燕山晚期即85Ma左右。     

X射线荧光光谱法同时测定土壤样品中的36种组分的探讨

采用粉末压片法制样,使用新型X射线荧光光谱仪,对土壤样品中的C、N、S、Cl、Na、Mg、Al、Si、K、Ca、Fe、As、Ba、Br、Ce、Co、Cr、Cu、Ga、Hf、La、Mn、Nb、Ni、P、Pb、Rb、Sc、Sr、Th、Ti、U、V、Y、Zn、Zr等36种组分的直接同时测试进行了探讨测试。研究了测试中各种分析条件及存在问题。结果表明,方法的检出限、精密度和准确度大多数满足多目标地球化学调查样品分析质量的要求,标准物质的测定值与其标准值相吻合,适合土壤样品中多组分的同时直接测定。     

气相色谱-质谱法同时测定河流沉积物中多环芳烃和有机氯农药

建立了用加速溶剂萃取,气相色谱-质谱法同时测定河流沉积物中16种多环芳烃和19种有机氯农药的分析方法,优化了萃取溶剂、萃取温度和时间、凝胶渗透色谱收集时间、固相萃取洗脱溶剂和洗脱体积等条件。16种多环芳烃的方法检出限在0.15~0.59 ng/g,加标回收率为82%~102%,相对标准偏差(RSD,n=5)为1.1%~4.5%。19种有机氯农药的方法检出限在0.14~2.23 ng/g,加标回收率为71%~108%,相对标准偏差(RSD,n=5)为1.0%~4.5%。实际样品的测定结果表明,该方法分离效果较好,能够满足沉积物样品中多环芳烃和有机氯农药的分析要求。     

端视电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定土壤中有效钼

样品经草酸?草酸铵溶液(Tamm溶液)浸提,分取浸提液,蒸干灼烧破坏草酸盐,制备成硫酸介质溶液,采用端视电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定土壤中有效钼。方法检出限(3s)为0.013μg/g,精密度(RSD,n=12)为2.13%~6.70%。经国家一级标准物质验证,测定值与标准值吻合。     

低氧低分压环境下泡塑吸附-石墨炉原子吸收光谱法测定化探样品中的痕量金

针对西藏低氧低分压环境下痕量金的测定,探讨了溶矿介质、解脱时间、吸附温度、Fe3+加入量等对测定结果的影响。确定了最佳测定条件,并较详细讨论了Fe3+在溶矿和吸附过程中的重要作用。方法检出限为0.102 ng/g,测定范围为0.24~300 ng/g,准确度(ΔlgC,n=12)为0.01~0.03,精密度(RSD,n=12)为1.61%~7.33%,很好地解决了西藏地区低氧低分压低温环境下痕量金测定的技术难题。     

水浴浸提-氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱法同时测定地质样品中痕量砷和汞

采用盐酸-硝酸混合酸(盐酸-硝酸-水体积比3∶1∶4)水浴浸取地质样品,在样品消解后的母液中直接加入硫脲-抗坏血酸混合溶液,以氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱法同时测定地质样品中的痕量砷和汞。方法检出限为砷0.033 6 ng/mL,汞0.003 7 ng/mL;相对标准偏差(RSD,n=1)为砷1.1%,汞3.0%。对国家一级标准物质GBW 07109~GBW 07114、GBW 07301~GBW 07312、GBW 07401~GBW 07408中的砷和汞进行测定,测定值与标准值相吻合。     

超微量钐同位素的热表面电离质谱分析

采用双带测量方式,法拉第杯和离子计数器同时接收与跳峰接收相结合,建立了超微量钐同位素的热表面电离质谱的测量方法。优化了制样程序和质谱测量程序,研究了蒸发带电流对离子流强度的影响,考察了从纳克至微克不同样品用量的测量效果及其中Nd、Eu干扰核素的情况。对4 ng~2μg的天然丰度钐样品进行了同位素比值分析,相对标准偏差均小于1.1%。