Project description
Researching ancient Earth’s atmospheric composition
Understanding the processes and mechanisms that underlie the development and evolution of our planet and life is key to a wide range of research fields. Researching atmospheric composition and evolution has great potential as it could provide data crucial to current environmental efforts. Unfortunately, extensive research on this subject is difficult as there are limited options for experimentation. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PRECAM-MM project will reconstruct Earth’s ancient atmospheric composition, including the CO2 partial pressure, triple oxygen isotopic composition and gross primary productivity present throughout the Mesoarchean to Paleoproterozoic eras. The project will combine the analysis of fossil I-type cosmic spherules with innovative methodologies to develop a paleoatmospheric evolution model.
Objective
The PRECAM-MM project aims to reconstruct Earth's ancient atmospheric composition, including triple oxygen isotopic composition, CO2 partial pressure, and Gross Primary Productivity (GPP), from the Mesoarchean to the Paleoproterozoic eras (~3.2 to 1.6 billion years ago), specifically targeting the Great Oxidation Event (GOE). This will be achieved through the novel analysis of fossil I-type cosmic spherules (melted micrometeorites) extracted from precisely dated geological formations like the Keonjhor Paleosol, Vempalle Dolomite, and Kajrahat Limestone in India. The methodology involves a comprehensive multi-proxy approach, beginning with the extraction and initial characterization of micrometeorites using techniques such as SEM, EPMA, µXRF, and µRaman to determine their cosmochemical nature and preservation state. Subsequently, detailed isotopic analysis will be performed, including oxygen isotopes via LG-SIMS (at CNRS-CRPG during a secondment) and LF-IRMS, and iron isotopes using LA-MC-ICP-MS. These micrometeorite-derived data will then be integrated with existing geochemical proxies from sedimentary rocks to develop a unified paleoatmospheric evolution model, providing a more robust understanding of the transition from an anoxic to an oxygenated atmosphere. Under the supervision of Prof. Steven Goderis at VUB and with a secondment to Prof. Yves Marrocchi at CNRS-CRPG, the project offers extensive training in advanced micro-analytical techniques, data integration, and grant writing, significantly enhancing the researcher's career prospects in cosmochemistry and early Earth studies. The expected impacts are substantial, contributing scientifically by providing direct insights into cosmic dust's role in atmospheric evolution, societally by informing long-term climate discussions and highlighting the extraterrestrial influence on Earth's habitability, and economically by demonstrating a cost-effective approach to planetary science.
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 chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- social sciences economics and business economics production economics productivity
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geochemistry cosmochemistry
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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.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1050 Bruxelles / Brussel
Belgium
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