Research

Cosmochemistry and early evolution of the Earth

• Trace element and isotope geochemistry of extraterrestrial samples (meteorites and sample return).
• Dating differentiation processes in early solar system objects and planets, using long- and short-lived radioactive decay systems.
• Search for nucleosynthetic anomalies in meteorites.
• Behaviour of trace elements during silicate differentiation on the Moon and on small asteroids.

Early evolution of the Earth

• Geological processes in the Hadean and Archean (e.g., early crustal record in Greenland, W-Australia, southern Africa, India, and Brazil).
• Early crust-mantle differentiation on Earth.
• The radiogenic isotope evolution of the Earth.
• Formation and preservation of ancient domains in Earth’s mantle using short-lived nuclides and nucleosynthetic isotope anomalies.

High Temperature geochemistry

• Subduction zone processes (SW Pacific and Mediterranean regions).
• Mid ocean ridge volcanism and ophiolites (Cyprus, Atlantic Ocean).
• Continental Flood basalts (Deccan, Parana-Etendeka)
• Continental intraplate volcanism (Eifel, Siebengebirge, Mediterranean region, New Zealand).
• Global mass budget of the extended high field strength element group (W-Nb-Ta-Zr-Hf) in Earth’s silicate reservoirs.

Geochronology

• Lu-Hf/Sm-Nd/La-Ce geochronology of garnet, phosphates, chemical sediments and ancient mafic samples.
• ²³⁰Th-U and U-Pb geochronology.
• In situ ⁸⁷Rb-⁸⁷Sr dating.

Low Temperature geochemistry

• Geochemistry of chemical sediments through Earth’s history
• Gypsum and associated soils in hyperarid environments (Atacama and Namib deserts)
• Plant Geochemistry (collaboration with biologists)
• Mass budget of high field strength elements in aqueous systems

Method developments - Mass Spectrometry

• Development of new techniques in ICP mass spectrometry with an emphasis on Multicollector ICPMS including collision cell MS/MS.
• High precision isotope ratio measurements (e.g., ¹⁸²W, ¹⁴²Nd).
• High precision trace element measurements by isotope dilution (e.g., Nb/Ta, ZrHf Ta-Th/W and U-Th measurements).
• Development of new techniques for chromatographic trace element separation for isotope ratio measurements.

Teaching (BSc & MSc)

• Geodynamics, magmatism, metamorphism and Earth’s evolution (1st year)
• Introduction to geochemistry/cosmochemistry (2nd year)
• Introduction to isotope geochemistry (3rd year)
• Advanced isotope geochemistry/cosmochemistry (MSc level)
• Practicals in trace element and isotope geochemistry (2nd year to MSc levels)
• Volcanological and petrological field trips (Eifel, Siebengebirge, Cyprus, Greenland, South Africa, Australia, India) (all levels)