Integrating radiogenic and stable isotope tracers to constrain the evolution of the mantle in the southwest Pacific

Integrating radiogenic and stable isotope tracers to constrain the evolution of the mantle in the southwest Pacific

Advisor/s

Dr Alex McCoy-West

College or Research Centre

College of Science & Engineering

Summary of Project

The mantle is the major reservoir of the silicate Earth, therefore understanding its composition and processes through which it is modified is crucial for understanding the evolution of the Earth. However, accessing samples remains problematic and we are limited to ophiolites or xenolith localities. This project will focus on ophiolite samples from New Caledonia and New Zealand and will combine detailed petrogenic and isotopic characterisation of the samples using a range of instrumental techniques EPMA, LA-ICP-MS, MC-ICP-MS.  The primary aims are: 1) tracking mantle heterogeneity in 3 dimensions (using Os and Nd isotopes); 2) placing better constraints on the Mo isotope composition of the mantle; and 3) assessing the effects of variable mineralogy (major peridotite phase vs pyroxenites of multiply generations) on the transfer of isotopic signatures through the mantle.  Combining this knowledge will increase our understanding of mantle and tectonic evolution of the SW Pacific.

Key Words

Isotopes; mantle

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Updated: 22 Mar 2022