To add to Bill's note, Canadians have a slightly different funding
system and it is relatively easy (only in comparison to US) for NSERC
to adopt a new program or for CGU (Canadian counterpart to AGU) to
adopt CNIP effort as one of its endorsed activities.  The number of
researchers involved is much smaller and NSERC is now willing to
(because the community supports it) to entertain proposals for the
analysis of CNIP samples.  Sometimes (and perhaps always?), small is
not only beautiful but convenient and intelligent as well.

Emi Ito


>I agree with Emi, the interpretation of paleorecords, is being
>hampered due to the lack of a network in the states.  From what Tom
>Edwards explained to me once, the CNIP is done by different groups
>making measurements to get the coverage needed.  The people working
>on the southern side of the boarder could use their example, and
>start our own network of monthly sampling stations.  Some coverage
>would be better than nothing.  Those interested could make
>measurements from stations at their respective university.  We could
>start a grass roots type of movement.  I know of some labs already
>doing this, such as Bill Patterson at Syracuse.  Of course we can not
>all run hundreds of samples, but we (all the labs interested)
>certainly could run a limited number of samples to cover one station.
>This is especially economical for labs with automated water prep.
>systems.  Perhaps as a goal, we in the community could start such a
>network in the next two years?  The CNIP is good example of what
>could be done in the states.
>
>-Bill
>
>--
>William Anderson
>Assistant Professor
>Geology Department and Southeast Environmental Research Center
>Florida International University
>
>Mailing address:
>Geology Dept., PC 344
>FIU
>11200 S.W. 8th Street
>Miami, FL  33199
>USA
>
>office: 305 348 2693, sec. 348 3572
>SERC stable isotope lab:  305 348 3044
>fax: 305  348 3877
>email: [log in to unmask]