Objective
This project will investigate the natural behaviour of the elements tellurium (Te) and selenium (Se) in the Earth. The major focus will be the investigation of Se and Te isotopic fractionation in planetary scale processes and in biogeochemistry. Selenium and Te are of great intrinsic scientific interest and of some societal importance; (i) both are volatile resulting in isotopic fractionations in the early solar system; (ii) both are toxic at high concentrations and Se acts as a nutrient at low concentrations; (iii) Te has important industrial applications.
The project requires the development of a technique for the precise and accurate measurement of Se and Te isotope compositions. From the Se and Te isotope data of extraterrestrial and terrestrial samples we expect to make significant advances in our understanding of basic features of planet formation. The varying degree of depletion of volatile elements like Se and Te is an essential characteristic of the bulk chemical composition of a planet, and this depletion is expected to be accompanied by isotopic fractionation. The investigation of biologically driven isotopic fractionations of Se and Te will cover studies on ferromanganese crusts and experimental cultures.
The determination of mass dependent fractionations of Te will be completely new. Ferromanganese crusts are of special interest in this regard, because they are extremely enriched in Te, the reason for which is enigmatic. Geochemistry provides essential data and constraints in several disciplines of pure and applied science and interfaces with other research areas. This strong multi-disciplinarity will foster EU-wide co-operations. Planned missions to the Moon, Mars and comet Wild 2 will return samples to Earth. In order to be attractive for planetary scientists and to enhance international competitiveness, the EU should have research facilities that are capable of analysing such samples.
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.
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geochemistry isotope geochemistry
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planets
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences natural satellites
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences comets
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
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.
Coordinator
ZURICH
Switzerland
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.