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Prof. Dr. Carsten Münker


Telefon +49 221 470-3198

Telefax +49 221 470-5199

E-Mail: c.muenker(at)uni-koeln.de

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)

 

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