The paleoenvironmental evolution of Earth and Mars. The project proposes to develop and apply high-resolution isotopic and geochemical techniques to measure the timing and intensity of water-rock interactions at the Earth’s surface throughout the geological past. Water–rock interactions shape the Earth’s landscape, determine the composition of surface and groundwater, produce the soils that sustain life, and buffer the composition of the atmosphere. Ultimately, the project aims to generate a tim ....The paleoenvironmental evolution of Earth and Mars. The project proposes to develop and apply high-resolution isotopic and geochemical techniques to measure the timing and intensity of water-rock interactions at the Earth’s surface throughout the geological past. Water–rock interactions shape the Earth’s landscape, determine the composition of surface and groundwater, produce the soils that sustain life, and buffer the composition of the atmosphere. Ultimately, the project aims to generate a time-calibrated and continuous continental paleoenvironmental record for key sites in the southern hemisphere, spanning from the Mesozoic to the present. Results from this study may allow us to quantify water–rock interactions on Earth, and may also be applicable to investigating the hydrological cycle on Mars.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100141
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
High-resolution ITRAX XRF core scanning facility for global change research. This facility will enable researchers to obtain high-resolution geochemical profiles in the study of environmental change and climate variability. It will provide archive data on the variation of density and chemical element composition along sediment and soil cores, rock cores, wood samples, speleothems and corals. These archives contain important information such as human activity, climate variability, water quality c ....High-resolution ITRAX XRF core scanning facility for global change research. This facility will enable researchers to obtain high-resolution geochemical profiles in the study of environmental change and climate variability. It will provide archive data on the variation of density and chemical element composition along sediment and soil cores, rock cores, wood samples, speleothems and corals. These archives contain important information such as human activity, climate variability, water quality changes, pollution histories, recent geomorphological change, land-use change, introduction of invasive species and the occurrence of bushfires. A better understanding of the occurrence and timing of these major environmental issues is of national and regional importance.Read moreRead less