The LIVE lab obtains a Morphologi 4-ID (Malvern Panalytical).

The research groups DYPA, HYDRO, and BIOECO recently obtained a Morphologi 4-ID. Rarely used for the study of current environments and not yet applied to paleoenvironmental studies, this device offers a large research potential. The "Morpho" module has just been received, and we expect the "Raman" module to arrive in a few weeks.

The Morphologi 4-ID can perform (1) particle size analyses of sediments and soils, (2) morphological analyses, and (3) spectrometric (Raman) analyses. The innovative aspect of this device is its ability to combine these three types of analyses and provide this information for each particle analyzed within a sample, covering a size range from 0.5 µm to 1300 µm. The analytical capabilities of this equipment open up a wide range of applications in the fields of environmental science, ecosystem studies, soil science, hydrosystems, paleoenvironmental research, archaeology, and geochronology.

Critical scientific questions regarding the understanding of environments and their temporal trajectories will benefit from the Morphologi 4-ID's analytical capabilities. It will also open new disciplinary and interdisciplinary researches. The following themes could be explored with particularly innovative perspectives: (1) sediment transfer, (2) soil formation processes (including urban soils), (3) the fixation and transport of pollutants on particles (including plastic beads), (4) mechanisms of interactions between particles and living organisms, and (5) the analysis of pedological, sedimentary, and archaeological records.

The acquisition of this device was possible by the enthusiasm of all LIVE researchers working on environmental researches and with the support of FERED. Funding for this device came from the CPER-RENETE project led by FERED, IdEx-Formation "Laboratoire à Ciel Ouvert," IdEx-Attractivité "PaléoVosges," and ENGEES. The device is hosted by LAS.