Unravelling the nature of secular global climatic change on the Precambrian Earth. Ancient sedimentary rocks record evidence of major climate change and variations in the composition of the atmosphere. By applying novel isotopic and geochemical techniques, this project aims to document when and how the Earths atmosphere and climate changed prior to the evolution of complex lifeforms. Curiously, such dramatic climate changes have controlled both the rate of evoutionary process and the formation o ....Unravelling the nature of secular global climatic change on the Precambrian Earth. Ancient sedimentary rocks record evidence of major climate change and variations in the composition of the atmosphere. By applying novel isotopic and geochemical techniques, this project aims to document when and how the Earths atmosphere and climate changed prior to the evolution of complex lifeforms. Curiously, such dramatic climate changes have controlled both the rate of evoutionary process and the formation of world class mineral deposits.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560786
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,000.00
Summary
A ThermoFinnigan Triton high-sensitivity thermal ionisation mass spectrometer for constraining geoscience rates and environmental processes via Ra and Os analysis. The short-lived isotope 226Ra provides a powerful new tool for constraining the nature of melting and magma/fluid transport processes within the Earth. Conversely, Os isotopes can track ancient recycled components, core-mantle boundary interaction and date organic-rich sediments. The installation of a high-sensitivity thermal ionisati ....A ThermoFinnigan Triton high-sensitivity thermal ionisation mass spectrometer for constraining geoscience rates and environmental processes via Ra and Os analysis. The short-lived isotope 226Ra provides a powerful new tool for constraining the nature of melting and magma/fluid transport processes within the Earth. Conversely, Os isotopes can track ancient recycled components, core-mantle boundary interaction and date organic-rich sediments. The installation of a high-sensitivity thermal ionisation mass spectrometer at Macquarie University will enable research in these exciting endeavours and enhance a world-class analytical facility with widespread and lasting utility. Planned research will constrain deep earth processes, magma/water transport processes, magma-mantle/chromatography, volcanic hazards, ore deposit formation, controversial climatic models, soil erosion and early planet differentiation.Read moreRead less
Identifying the secular evolution of chemical heterogeneity in the mantle as probed by deep mantle plumes. This project aims to focus on modes and timescales of melting associated with deep mantle plumes. These melts form massive magmatic bodies and volcanic flood basalt provinces throughout Earth’s history and record the secular chemical evolution of the Earth’s mantle. Selective igneous bodies contain high-grade noble metal deposits and coincide with global mass extinction linked to anoxic oce ....Identifying the secular evolution of chemical heterogeneity in the mantle as probed by deep mantle plumes. This project aims to focus on modes and timescales of melting associated with deep mantle plumes. These melts form massive magmatic bodies and volcanic flood basalt provinces throughout Earth’s history and record the secular chemical evolution of the Earth’s mantle. Selective igneous bodies contain high-grade noble metal deposits and coincide with global mass extinction linked to anoxic ocean events in response to atmospheric volcanic pollution. This project aims to provide knowledge of planetary surface evolution in response to mantle dynamics, place constraints on enrichment processes of metals in ore quality in plume-derived melts, and may help understandings of the relation between massive volcanic eruptions and climate variability.Read moreRead less