Objective
This project aims to directly constrain the melting history and composition of the mantle of the Earth
for the first 750 Ma of its history. So far, our limited knowledge hinges on isolated detrital zircons from
Archean crustal rocks. They indicate crustal extraction as early as 4.4 Ga with peaks at 4.0 and 4.3 Ga but
reveal conflicting models for the composition of the Hadean mantle. Both the timing and extent of these
early crust formation events and the composition of the Hadean mantle have crucial implications for our
understanding of the Early Earth’s chemical evolution and dynamics as well as crustal growth and thermal
cooling models. Sulfides (BMS) and platinum group minerals (PGM) may hold the key to these fundamental
issues, as they are robust time capsules able to preserve the melting record of their mantle source over
several billion years.
I propose to perform state-of-the-art in-situ Pt-Re-Os isotopic measurements on an extensive
collection of micrometric BMS and PGM from Archean cratonic peridotites and chromite deposits, and
paleoplacers in Archean sedimentary basins. For the first time, < 20 μm minerals will be investigated for Pt-
Re-Os. The challenging but high-resolution micro-drilling technique will be developed for in-situ sampling
of the PGM and BMS with subsequent high-precision 187Os-186Os isotopic measurements by NTIMS. This
highly innovative project will be the first to constrain Hadean Earth history from the perspective of the
Earth’s mantle. By opening a new window towards high-precision geochemical exploration for micrometric
minerals, this project will have long-term implications for the understanding of the micro to nano-scale
heterogeneity of isotopic signatures in the Earth’s mantle and in extra-terrestrial materials.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- humanities history and archaeology history
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2010-StG_20091028
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
53113 BONN
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.