Articles tagged with Geochemistry
Researchers used lab-based mimicry to reveal a new crystal structure that has major implications for our understanding of the interiors of large, rocky exoplanets. This discovery could have revolutionary implications for how we think about the dynamics of exoplanet interiors.
Researchers created a 3D tectonic model combining geological, geophysical and satellite data to resolve timescales between earthquakes and mountain range formation. The study reveals that most uplift occurs in the period between earthquakes, improving local seismic hazard maps.
Researchers found that Earth's inner core is a mixture of solid iron sublattice and liquid-like light elements, known as superionic state. This discovery provides critical clues for understanding the softness and seismic velocities of the inner core.
The Congo Basin's tropical forest is a unique greenhouse gas emitter, with low nitrous oxide emissions but high methane releases, particularly in swamp forests. Soils play a crucial role in converting nitrous oxide to harmless nitrogen, affecting the forest's overall climate gas balance.
Researchers found that low volcanic temperatures caused high sulfur dioxide emissions, leading to short-term cooling and contributing to the fourth mass extinction. The study suggests that this cooling enabled small-bodied dinosaurs to grow and prosper, ultimately thriving during the Jurassic period.
A study published in Scientific Reports uses fossilized mollusk shells to investigate ocean chemistry during the end-Permian mass extinction. The analysis found no signs of severe ocean acidification, contradicting previous theories.
Researchers found that only 45% of hotspot volcanoes are hot enough to actively upwell from the deep mantle, while 15% are cold. Cooler hotspots may originate at upper mantle depths or be fed by cooled deep plumes.
A new study analyzing the rock record rules out atmospheric oxygen before the Great Oxygenation Event, potentially rewriting our understanding of Earth's past. The research team used high-resolution techniques to inspect specimens of the rock, finding evidence that chemical data suggesting early oxygen may have been introduced later.
Researchers have uncovered the truth behind the missing volatiles in meteorites, revealing a massive shockwave phenomenon that stripped elements from planetary building blocks. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of Earth's geochemical evolution and the Solar System's youth.
A recent study analyzing air bubbles preserved in Antarctic ice for up to 1.5 million years suggests that glacial erosion is likely responsible for the decline of atmospheric oxygen levels over the past 800,000 years.
Researchers have synthesized a new form of carbon glass with three-dimensional bonds, the hardest known glass material. The discovery has potential for mass production and opens up new possibilities in devices and electronics.
Researchers used stalagmites from Jiangjun cave in China to study the response of the Indian summer monsoon to meltwater pulses in the North Atlantic. The analysis revealed that a stronger meltwater pulse caused a drastic reduction in monsoon intensity, while minor events had less impact.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that felsic volcanism in South China drove the end-Permian mass extinction, with extreme elemental copper enrichment and light isotopic compositions indicating large-scale eruptions near the studied outcrops. This finding strengthens the case against the Siberian Traps as the sole trigger f...
Researchers from UNLV have discovered a new mineral, davemaoite, which originated between 410-560 miles deep within the Earth's lower mantle. The calcium silicate compound was trapped in a diamond and preserved due to its incredible strength, making it possible for scientists to study its structure.
Researchers identified a high-pressure calcium silicate perovskite, named davemaoite, trapped inside a deep-earth diamond. This discovery confirms the existence of a new mineral that concentrates elements incompatible in the upper mantle, including rare-earth elements and radioactive isotopes.
MARUM researchers simulate alternative hydrocarbon formation through reduction of acetic acid, proposing a new explanation for unusual isotope patterns. The findings provide insight into the rapid thermal alteration of sedimentary organic matter and its role in the global carbon cycle.
Research finds climate stabilized due to increased rock weathering and erosion, which converts CO2 into insoluble carbonate; this process took 20,000-50,000 years. Lithium isotope analysis supports theory, showing increased weathering and erosion during Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.
Researchers analyzed Chang'e-5 samples and found that the basalt is approximately two billion years old, indicating late volcanic activity on the Moon. This discovery provides calibration for the crater-counting technique used to date lunar surfaces and requires alternative explanations, such as tidal heating.
Researchers found that dough mixing vats and millstones from Roman-era ruins were made from specific rock types that improved each tool's function. The stones were sourced locally, challenging a theory that some millstones were imported from Italy.
A recent study found small but detectable increases in salt concentrations in surrounding surface waters near unconventional oil and gas development sites. The research, which analyzed data from over 46,000 wells and 60,000 surface water samples, suggests that the contamination occurs several months after well installation.
Researchers found that arsenic drives the concentration of gold, explaining how iron sulfides capture and release gold. The study may lead to new sources of gold and improved processing methods.
Mark Torres, an assistant professor at Rice University, has won the Geochemical Society's top honor for early-career scientists. His research focuses on interactions between the hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and crust.
The Greenland Ice Sheet holds enough water to raise sea levels nearly 24 feet. A new project, GreenDrill, aims to drill through the ice to the underlying bedrock, revealing the ice sheet's past in unprecedented detail and enabling more accurate predictions of how it may add to rising seas.
A team of geochemists at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory has solved the mystery of Earth's vanishing crust by discovering a distinct chemical fingerprint for subducted crust. They found that about 5-6% of the Earth's mantle is made of recycled crust, contradicting prevailing theories on crust formation rates.
Researchers have developed a novel geochemistry test that can identify osteoporosis before its clinical effects on bones. The test is more sensitive and can detect changes in calcium isotopes in blood and urine, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Scientists have discovered man-made mercury pollution in the Marianas Trench, the deepest part of the ocean. This finding has significant implications for the marine environment and food chain, highlighting the impact of human activities on the planet.
Experiments simulate conditions of Neptune-like exoplanets, suggesting mutual solubility between silica and water. This finding challenges traditional views on the distinction between rock and ice, with potential impact on the study of water-rich planets.
Research suggests that glacier retreat leads to increased mercury uptake by vegetation, which can sequester more mercury than released glaciers. This phenomenon is not accounted for in current global models and has significant implications for global mercury cycling.
A new method used to analyze geochemistry of planets outside our solar system implies that Earth is not unique, with rocks from asteroids and white dwarf stars showing similarities to those on Earth and Mars. The study's findings suggest that oxidation plays a significant role in shaping the chemistry of rocky planets.
Researchers at the University of Münster have discovered a new composition of the Earth's mantle, suggesting that large parts of it contain fewer incompatible elements. The study found that more material from the mantle has melted to form the Earth's crust than previously thought.
About 7-6 million years ago, the Hadley circulation intensified, leading to drier climate, expanding subtropical grasslands and increasing mammal species that eat grasses. The research provides a new understanding of late Miocene ecosystems and their evolution.
A new high-pressure mineral, Maohokite, has been discovered and found to contain Fe3+, replacing the previously believed Fe2+, in the Earth's lower mantle. This discovery was made by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science.
Researchers are still unsure how organic compounds form in hydrothermal vents on the sea floor, a key area of study as it may hold clues to the origin of life. A new NSF-funded project aims to bridge this gap by simulating conditions and generating compounds from inorganic components.
A UCLA-led research team has reported the moon's age to be at least 4.51 billion years old, with a range of 40 million to 140 million years older than previously believed. The findings were made using mineral analysis of zircons brought back by the Apollo 14 mission in 1971.
Researchers from Italy suggest that gas pressure, rather than magma, is causing the ground to rise near the Bay of Naples volcano. The study contradicts previous assumptions and offers a new interpretation of the Campi Flegrei's geological activity.
Researchers have discovered a complex 4-step process for gypsum formation, opening the way to more energy-efficient production of Plaster of Paris. This breakthrough could also aid in understanding past water availability on Mars and other planets.
Researchers at Indiana University and Virginia Tech develop a method to assess the validity of the principle of detailed balance, widely used in models for environmental projects. The study confirms that the principle applies in systems where rates of forward and reverse processes are balanced.
A UCLA-led research team discovered life likely existed on Earth at least 4.1 billion years ago, 300 million years earlier than previously thought. The study suggests that life may have begun shortly after the planet formed and could be abundant in the universe.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can use magnetite to create a 'natural battery' by loading and discharging electrons. This mechanism has implications for cleaning up toxic metals and could be adapted for other types of bacteria, expanding its potential uses.
Researchers find that the Earth's crust formed relatively slowly from 1.7 to 0.75 billion years ago, with little activity and stable environments, before speeding up, potentially inducing evolutionary changes. This discovery has implications for the interpretation of climate models.
A team of scientists has discovered that the Yellowstone hotspot is less likely to erupt again soon, as evidenced by crystals found in Idaho rocks. The analysis suggests that the magma chambers are 'recycled', meaning they have been re-used before, and that this process could lead to a longer eruption cycle for the region.
New research presents evidence suggesting that life may have originated on Mars and was brought to Earth via a Martian meteorite. The study tackles two paradoxes related to the origin of life on Earth, including the 'tar paradox' and the difficulty in starting life due to water coverage.
New research by Dr Bernard Grobety reveals that crystalline particles in Icelandic volcanic ash are more harmful to jet engines and fall out of the cloud faster than glassy particles. The study aims to improve authorities' response to future eruptions by understanding the behavior of these particles.
Researchers predict increased likelihood of large-volume lava flows and phreatomagmatic eruptions at Yellowstone National Park along three NNW-trending fault lines. Geochemistry suggests rapid magma ascent without storage, supporting a higher probability of future volcanism along these regions.
Scientists have developed a method to distinguish between primary and secondary organic carbon in ancient sediments, providing insights into the earliest life forms on Earth. By analyzing chemical fossils from Neoproterozoic glacial sediments, researchers have revealed new information about the environment and ecosystems of this period.
A geochemist raised concerns about the efficiency of carbon storage projects by highlighting the impact of underground chemical reactions on mineral dissolution. Research is needed to analyze reaction rates and affected minerals for better carbon storage project evaluation.
New intense sources of radiation at national facilities are allowing geochemists to gather images and data on minerals in one second, revolutionizing the field. The enhanced power of x-rays and pulsed neutrons enable researchers to detect, characterize and understand mineral components and contaminants.
A 150-million-year-old 'Dinobird' fossil has been found to contain remnants of the animal's original chemistry, including phosphorous and sulfur in its feathers. The discovery could revolutionize the field of palaeontology by providing a new avenue for learning about long-extinct creatures.
New research by UCLA geochemists suggests that plate tectonics began more than 4 billion years ago, with ancient mineral grains indicating low heat flow and water presence on Earth during its first 500 million years.
The new five-year grant from NASA's Astrobiology Institute will focus on developing indicators of life, including analyzing cells, metals, and DNA. The team will search for microbial life in extreme locations on Earth and study ancient rocks for signs of past life.
Researchers reconciled inconsistencies between two pre-existing data sets for kaolinite, a major earth and industrial material. The findings provide a unifying approach for explaining crystal and mineral dissolution and growth, with implications for understanding geological time, nuclear waste storage, and biomedical issues.
Researchers discovered minimum melting conditions on early Earth, 200 million years after solar system formation, using a new zircon thermometer technique. This finding provides important information about the first eon of Earth's history and opens up possibilities for life's early foothold.
Dr. Paul Ribbe will be honored with a symposium for his significant advances in the crystallography of feldspars, which led to the creation of definitive work on mineralogy. The symposium features keynote addresses from internationally recognized scientists and explores the 'micro to macro' approach pioneered by Ribbe.
The Penn State Center for Environmental Kinetics Analysis will bring together experts to measure and synthesize kinetic data for environmental systems, with a focus on scaling and modeling. The center aims to increase understanding of environmental systems among researchers and the general public through education and outreach initiati...
A recent study published in Nature announces a major advance in the study of Amazon Basin's hydrology and geochemistry dynamics. The research partnership has yielded precise measurements of water, sediment, and geochemical inputs contributed by the Amazon's main tributaries.
Researchers at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara have discovered a link between rapid changes in ocean carbon chemistry during the last ice age and shifts in ocean circulation. The study sheds light on how human-induced global warming may affect ocean currents, weather patterns, and climate worldwide.