Descripción del proyecto
Más información sobre el origen volátil de la Tierra gracias a análisis de isótopos de kriptón y xenón
No se conoce al detalle la composición de los gases nobles pesados kriptón (Kr) y xenón (Xe) en el manto de la Tierra y, por tanto, tampoco la historia volátil del planeta. El proyecto financiado con fondos europeos VolatileOrigin medirá con precisión los isótopos de Kr y Xe en muestras derivadas del manto, como por ejemplo diamantes y basaltos de la dorsal mediooceánica, y en distintos tipos de meteoritos. Mediante el análisis de la composición de las muestras de la dorsal mediooceánica y los diamantes, el equipo científico podrá caracterizar el grado de heterogeneidades del Kr y el Xe del manto, generadas mediante el reciclado progresivo de gases nobles atmosféricos a través de procesos de subducción, y de esta forma identificar la fuente o fuentes de estas sustancias volátiles en el manto. Mediante el estudio preciso de datos de meteoritos en relación a los isótopos de Kr y Xe se ampliará el conocimiento que se posee de las composiciones medidas del manto y se señalarán las fuentes de sustancias volátiles.
Objetivo
The presence of volatile elements such as carbon, nitrogen, water, noble gases, on terrestrial planets is a requirement for planet habitability, yet their origin is still highly debated. Noble gases are invaluable tracers of volatile sources due to their inertness, in particular their non-radiogenic isotopes have kept remnant signatures of planetary accretion. Krypton and xenon are mighty tools to distinguish between chondritic and solar volatile sources due to the distinct isotopic compositions of these end-members. However, the heavy noble gas (Kr, Xe) compositions of the Earth’s mantle is poorly determined. Hence, the Earth’s mantle volatile history remains largely unknown. The objectives of this project are to precisely measure the non-radiogenic Kr and Xe isotopes in mantle-derived samples, including mid-ocean ridge basalts and diamonds, and in meteorites of different types in order to better understand Earth’s volatile origin. Determining the compositions of mid-ocean ridge and diamond samples will allow to characterize the extent of mantle Kr and Xe heterogeneities, introduced through progressive atmospheric noble gas recycling via subduction, and, hence to identify the source(s) of these volatiles in the mantle. Precise bulk meteorite data for the non-radiogenic Kr and Xe isotopes are incomplete and will be crucial in our understanding of the measured mantle compositions to fingerprint the volatile sources. This project will use a novel protocol for the specific measurements of these isotopes in mantle-derived samples associated with noble gas mass spectrometry. The MSCA fellowship represents a unique opportunity for me to learn new analytical skills in cosmochemistry, to improve my soft skills and to secure my fruitful reintegration in Europe. I will transfer to the host lab my expertise of mantle geochemistry. On the whole, this project will strengthen my scientific independence, taking me closer to achieve an outstanding academic position in Europe.
Ámbito científico
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrynoble gases
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesmeteorites
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesplanets
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeochemistrycosmochemistry
- natural scienceschemical sciencesanalytical chemistrymass spectrometry
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Régimen de financiación
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinador
8092 Zuerich
Suiza