Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347157
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$770,000.00
Summary
A Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer for investigating the Earth and its Environment. Key aspects of our knowledge of the earth have resulted from isotope measurements using a mass spectrometer. Thermal instruments measure the abundance of isotopes with the greatest accuracy achievable and are the cornerstone of laboratories investigating the earth and its environment. Recently, significant improvements have been made to these instruments in response to the need to solve problems involving a w ....A Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer for investigating the Earth and its Environment. Key aspects of our knowledge of the earth have resulted from isotope measurements using a mass spectrometer. Thermal instruments measure the abundance of isotopes with the greatest accuracy achievable and are the cornerstone of laboratories investigating the earth and its environment. Recently, significant improvements have been made to these instruments in response to the need to solve problems involving a wider range of chemical elements present in small quantities and to measure them with higher precision than ever before. This proposal will establish a state-of-the-art Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer so that Australian scientists can remain internationally competitive in their research.
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Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation in different substrates. Carbonates in the form of limestone represent an important reservoir of carbon on earth. They are recorded in several natural geological formations as corals, stromatolites, beach rocks. Microbes play an important role in the formation as well as dissolution of carbonates during microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) reactions on different substrates in natural and built environments. Much of our kno ....Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation in different substrates. Carbonates in the form of limestone represent an important reservoir of carbon on earth. They are recorded in several natural geological formations as corals, stromatolites, beach rocks. Microbes play an important role in the formation as well as dissolution of carbonates during microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) reactions on different substrates in natural and built environments. Much of our knowledge on MICP is limited due to poor understanding of the reaction kinetics at a molecular level. This project will develop new methods to enable and advance the knowledge of MICP process with profound implications for understanding natural geological formations as well as widen the scope of current engineering applications.Read moreRead less
Roles of deep-Earth fluid cycling in the generation of intra-continental magmatism. This project aims to test a provocative and potentially ground-breaking hypothesis that fluid released from subducted oceanic slabs and stored in the mantle transition zone, may trigger or control some major intra-plate geotectonic phenomena. It aims to provide a self-consistent model that links geological processes occurring at plate boundaries with those far-field effects well away from plate boundaries via dee ....Roles of deep-Earth fluid cycling in the generation of intra-continental magmatism. This project aims to test a provocative and potentially ground-breaking hypothesis that fluid released from subducted oceanic slabs and stored in the mantle transition zone, may trigger or control some major intra-plate geotectonic phenomena. It aims to provide a self-consistent model that links geological processes occurring at plate boundaries with those far-field effects well away from plate boundaries via deep-Earth fluid cycling. The outcomes of this project aim to help to better understand links between plume and plate tectonic processes in the first-order dynamic system of Earth, and identify ways to improve success in future mineral exploration.Read moreRead less
Crustal-Scale Fluid Flow in Deep Intracontinental Settings: Conditions, Sources and Deformational Responses. Fluids are important agents of heat and mass transport in the Earth's crust. They play a key role in the mobilisation of metals and as such play a crucial role in the generation of ore deposits. The outcomes of this project will result in a greater understanding of the mechanisms and sources of fluid generation and mobilisation in deep-crustal settings. These outcomes can be related direc ....Crustal-Scale Fluid Flow in Deep Intracontinental Settings: Conditions, Sources and Deformational Responses. Fluids are important agents of heat and mass transport in the Earth's crust. They play a key role in the mobilisation of metals and as such play a crucial role in the generation of ore deposits. The outcomes of this project will result in a greater understanding of the mechanisms and sources of fluid generation and mobilisation in deep-crustal settings. These outcomes can be related directly to the understanding of the controls on the transport and deposition of metals and hence the formation of mineral resources which are vital to maintaining a strong Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Hidden geochemical treasure: apatite inclusions in zircon. This project aims to undertake high precision measurements of the isotopic composition of tiny apatite inclusions in the mineral zircon. This project will create a new isotopic data set to combine with age and isotope data for the host zircons in order to study the formation and evolution of the Earth's crust. Primary apatite inclusions represent a previously untapped treasury of pristine geochemical information made accessible by the la ....Hidden geochemical treasure: apatite inclusions in zircon. This project aims to undertake high precision measurements of the isotopic composition of tiny apatite inclusions in the mineral zircon. This project will create a new isotopic data set to combine with age and isotope data for the host zircons in order to study the formation and evolution of the Earth's crust. Primary apatite inclusions represent a previously untapped treasury of pristine geochemical information made accessible by the latest advances in micro-analytical and imaging technology. This information will be used to test models for the timing of formation of the first continents, to map continental growth over time, and to evaluate the origins of the Earth's oldest rocks and minerals and the environmental conditions on the early Earth.Read moreRead less
Biogeochemical characterisation of Archaean microfossils, biomarkers and organic matter: Probing the nature and diversity of early life on Earth. Recognizing biological signatures in ancient rocks poses the single greatest challenge to our understanding of the origin and evolution of life. This Project will use new advanced technology to reveal when and where life first appeared and assess its impact on the environment, atmosphere and climate. Results are essential for understanding the transfor ....Biogeochemical characterisation of Archaean microfossils, biomarkers and organic matter: Probing the nature and diversity of early life on Earth. Recognizing biological signatures in ancient rocks poses the single greatest challenge to our understanding of the origin and evolution of life. This Project will use new advanced technology to reveal when and where life first appeared and assess its impact on the environment, atmosphere and climate. Results are essential for understanding the transformation of our planet into a suitable habitat for humankind. The work will place Australia among world leaders in one of the most exciting topics of current scientific research, raising Australia's reputation in this high profile and competitive field. The Project tackles profound questions and seeks to attract, inspire and train future scientists in an ideal location and research environment.Read moreRead less
Investigation of the early history of the moon. The project will address outstanding questions related to the early evolution of planets in the solar system, including the earth, by investigating major events that took place on the moon, where the record of early history is preserved exceptionally well. It will test major models describing the chemical evolution of both the moon and earth.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560868
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,475.00
Summary
SHRIMP SI - Microscale stable-isotope analysis in the Earth Sciences. Stable-isotope variations of elements such as oxygen, carbon, and sulphur, preserve the most profound records of environmental conditions during the geological, biological, and climatic evolution of Earth and planets. We will build a stable isotope ion microprobe (SHRIMP SI) to examine extraterrestrial and terrestrial systems in unprecedented detail. In terrestrial applications, the main issue is accuracy at the 0.01 percent ....SHRIMP SI - Microscale stable-isotope analysis in the Earth Sciences. Stable-isotope variations of elements such as oxygen, carbon, and sulphur, preserve the most profound records of environmental conditions during the geological, biological, and climatic evolution of Earth and planets. We will build a stable isotope ion microprobe (SHRIMP SI) to examine extraterrestrial and terrestrial systems in unprecedented detail. In terrestrial applications, the main issue is accuracy at the 0.01 percent level for 20-micron spots, which we can apply to studies of development of life on Earth, climatic records, weathering, and formation of ore bodies. Sample return missions of solar wind and comets will provide unique samples related to the formation of our solar system.Read moreRead less
The structure and geochemistry of mineral interfaces in Earth's mantle. The interfaces between mineral grains are critical in determining rock properties and behaviour, yet we know little about them. This project uses emerging nano-technologies to establish the structure, chemistry and energy characteristics of interfaces in rocks from Earth’s mantle that control fundamental Earth processes such as plate tectonics and melting. The expected outcomes include a new understanding on one of the funda ....The structure and geochemistry of mineral interfaces in Earth's mantle. The interfaces between mineral grains are critical in determining rock properties and behaviour, yet we know little about them. This project uses emerging nano-technologies to establish the structure, chemistry and energy characteristics of interfaces in rocks from Earth’s mantle that control fundamental Earth processes such as plate tectonics and melting. The expected outcomes include a new understanding on one of the fundamental controls on rock properties and an enhanced ability to predict and model rock behaviour. The project provides research training in innovative research methodologies, will strengthen Australia’s leadership in nano-geoscience and will provide new methodologies for advanced rock characterisation.Read moreRead less
Tackling the resurgences of life, advanced dating tools of oils by sophisticated molecular and isotopic analyses from major geological events. Evidence of Earth’s biogeochemical evolution is uniquely recorded in sediments and petroleum, as are the mechanisms of life’s recovery from mass extinction caused by past catastrophes. Pioneering ageing techniques will be tested on ancient sediments, low temperature mineral fabrics and petroleum leading to the exploration of new energy sources.