Objectif The main objectives of the proposed research is to determine various heavy metals, their isotopes and speciation in the bottom part of the 3,623m deep ice core which has been drilled at Vostok station in east Antarctica. This basal ice is mainly refrozen water of the large sub glacial lake. Its analysis will then provide a unique insight on this - 1Myr extreme water body which might be an earth-based analogue of the subsurface oceans which are suspected on the Jovian satellite Europa. Heavy metals have been chosen since they are valuable tracers of the different possible geochemical processes, which might influence the composition of the water of the lake. 19 core sections (depths from -3,200m to 3,610m) will be analyzed. Each section will be mechanically decontaminated to remove the contamination brought to the outside during drilling operations. Various heavy metals will then be determined using ultra sensitive analytical techniques such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Sector Field Mass Spectrometry. In addition, Pb and possibly Sr isotopes will also be determined by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry and organometallic compounds will be analyzed. The analyses will be performed inside specially designed clean laboratories. The data will be the first ever obtained for bottom Antarctic ice. It will provide highly interesting information on the origin, the history and the geochemical environment of this large (14,000km²) unique fresh water sub glacial body. At the beginning the applicant will be trained in the use of ultra sensitive analytical techniques necessary for the chemical characterization of very special samples such as those of the accreted ice of lake Vostok. These samples will require a careful decontamination procedure before the chemical analysis in order to eliminate possible contamination coming from the drilling procedures or from the long storage. Particular attention will be given to the development of an analytical methodology based on JCP-SFMS coupled with an integrated nebulizer/membrane desolvation system, which allow to strongly reducing possible interferences. The applicant will be driven in the design of the correct experiments and supported in the use of this rather complex scientific instrumentation. The methodology will be applied for the determination of a suite of heavy metals for the geochemical characterization of the accreted ice samples. The host institution can guarantee both a long experience in the field of trace substances in environmental matrices and all the facilities necessary to carry out this task (cold laboratories, clean room). On the other side the high motivation in scientific research of the applicant, together with his ability of planning scientific experiments will lead to have appreciable benefit to the host institution. Champ scientifique humanitieshistory and archaeologyhistorynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryorganometallic chemistryengineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technologynatural scienceschemical sciencesanalytical chemistrymass spectrometry Programme(s) FP5-HUMAN POTENTIAL - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Improving the human research potential and the socio-economic knowledge base" (1998-2002) Thème(s) Data not available Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships) Coordinateur NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Dorsoduro, 2137 30123 VENEZIA Italie Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée
