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Research Activities 2007

Earth Chemistry

 

Click on the links below to read the 2007 Earth Chemistry research highlights or Click HERE to download the PDF version 31 pages 1.2 Mb

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Introduction

The chemistry and isotope chemistry of natural materials is highly indicative of provenance and process throughout geological history. Our studies range in time from the earliest solar system through to processes that are actively taking place today, and in scope from planetary systems to individual molecules. Active areas of research centre on planetary studies, metamorphic and igneous geochemistry and geochronology, geochemistry of life processes, and chronology of all processes encompassed.

Most of our analytical work involves detailed analysis on the microscale, or concentrating trace elements from larger samples for high precision analysis. Isotopic systems can reveal both the nature of the processes involved (stable isotopes) as well as the timing of events (radiogenic isotopes), while chemical abundances can reflect protolith contributions and processes affecting various systems including biologic systems. As revealed in this year's research contributions, analytical work can be applied to topics in tectonics, ore genesis, metamorphic petrology, paleoclimate, paleoecology and regolith dating. 

Highlights

  • Commissioning of Dr Brock's paleobiogeochemistry laboratory has gradually taken place in 2007, with installation of mass spectrometers and operation of the chemistry laboratory.
  • In early 2007, it was announced that an extension to the J5 (SHRIMP RG) Building was to be funded by the Chancelry. The project involves doubling the length of the existing building and adding a second floor to house offices, common room, and geochemistry laboratories. The ground floor allows an extension to the SHRIMP RG lab that will eventually house both SHRIMP SI and SHRIMP II. Building completion is expected in mid 2008.  Construction of SHRIMP SI is now awaiting the completion of the building.
  • In February 2007, Earth Chemistry ran an intensive course on Mass Spectrometry in Earth Sciences for RSES postgraduate students and staff. The course was well attended (~25 participants) and highlighted the need for continuing training.
  • In mid 2007, a stable isotope workshop was held to mark the achievement of subpermil reproducible stable isotope analyses on SHRIMP II.  Guests at the workshop included Dr Marc Chaussidon and Dr Etienne Deloule of CRPG, Nancy, France, and Dr Doug Rumble of Carnegie Institution, Washington DC, USA. The meeting was attended by ANU researchers and other scientists from around Australia.

    Personnel
  • Dr Marnie Forster was successful in her ARC request for an ARF and has joined Earth Chemistry for 2008. Dr Forster's research focuses on the interrelationships between microstructure development and geochronology.
  • Following the successful installation of the C-14 accelerator-mass spectrometer, Dr Stewart Fallon will be joining Earth Chemistry in 2008.
  • PhD studies were completed by Frances Jenner, Julien Celerier, Amos Aikman and Antti Kallio. Congratulations Doctors.
  • Postgraduate studies were commenced by Tanya Ewing, Seann McKibbin, Rong Shi, and Richard Schinteie.

ARC
Professor Ian Campbell was successful is his ARC DP proposal for platinum-group elements in felsic rocks.
A successful collaborative bid to ARC LIEF between ANU, University of Queensland (lead organization) and The University of Melbourne will see a new SEM especially configured for geological materials installed at RSES.

Research Projects

Probing s-process conditions in AGB stars: Constraints from Ba and Eu isotopes on presolar SiC grains - Janaina Avila

Molecular Fossils and Environmental Genomics - Jochen Brocks

Discovery of a new high-temperature borosilicate mineral: boromullite - Ian Buick

SHRIMP U-Pb xenotime and Re-Os molybdenite dating of the Molyhil scheelite-molybdenite skarn, northeastern Arunta region, central Australia - Andrew Cross

U-Pb dating and Hf isotope systematics of rutile (preliminary work) - Tanya Ewing

Unravelling prograde and anatectic histories: integration of petrography, trace element geochemistry and U-Th-Pb dating of zircon and allanite - Courtney Gregory

New Insights into Crustal Petrogenesis via in situ O and Hf Isotopic Compositions of Archean Zircon from Southwest Greenland - Joe Hiess

Regional brecciation and alteration in the Wernecke Mountains, Canada: New constraints from He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Cl, Br and I - M. Honda

Correlated, In-Situ Analysis of U/Pb, δ18O and εHf in Zircon from Siluro-Devonian Granite in the Eastern Lachlan Orogen: Constraints on Juvenile Additions to the Continental Crust - Ryan Ickert

Solar System Isotopic Heterogeneity from 53Mn-53Cr - Seann McKibbin

Diachronous subduction to diamond- and coesite-facies conditions in the Kokchetav massif - Daniela Rubatto

Molecular Palaeontology of the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Interval: Lipid Biomarker Geochemistry and Ancient Microbial Ecosystems - Richard Schinteie

Systematics of noble gas, carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions in Australian diamonds from the Merlin and Argyle Mines - Rong Shi

Relative oxidation determined by the Ce+4/Ce+3 ratio in zircon - Dianne Valente

Rate of growth of the preserved North American continental crust: evidence from Hf and O isotopes in Mississippi detrital zircons - Christina Wang

Keyhole geochronology in north-eastern Poland - Ian Williams