Research Group: Geochemistry
Geochemistry comprises more than 30 researchers and postgraduate students who apply state-of-the-art geochemical analysis and modelling to scientific questions of major societal, economic and environmental importance.
Group Overview
Our diverse research activity can be broadly divided into 8 themes. Click the theme title for more information.
Past Present and Future Environmental Change
- We aim to achieve a better understanding of the major geochemical cycles of the Earth System and the impact of humanities action upon them. Our work also focuses on the reconstruction of the climate of the past to better understand the drivers of natural climate and environmental change.
Environmental Geochemistry and Radioactivity
- Research into how we interact with our environment and its impact on us
- Encompasses specialist radioanalytical research and specialist services offered by our Industrial Advisory Unit, GAU-Radioanalytical
Volcanic Processes
- Volcanoes are the points at the surface where material is exchanged between the inner Earth and the world we live in
Hydrothermal Processes and Mineral Deposits
- Hydrothermal processes represent one of the major mechanisms for chemical and heat transfer on Earth. They have a profound influence on ocean chemistry and they play host to unique ecosystems. In addition many of the world's most important resources are sourced from deposits that formed as a result of hydrothermal activity.
Formation and Evolution of the Ocean Crust
- The accretion of new crust at the mid-ocean ridges is the foundation process of the plate tectonic cycle
Medical Geochemistry
- Geochemistry can play a valuable role in the study of environmental health issues
Geochemical Ecology
- The geochemical ecology (Southampton University Marine Isotopes and Ecology SUMIE) group use natural chemical markers contained in the tissues of animals to track the flow of nutrients within food webs and the movement of animals across geochemical gradients.
Carbon Storage and Geoengineering
- We are working to find solutions to reducing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. These include storage in conventional (depleted oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers) and unconventional (basalts, mantle peridotites, enhanced weathering) geological reservoirs.
Our strengths include:
- ultra-low level trace element analyses
- radiogenic isotope geochemistry and geochronology
- fluid and volatile analysis
- environmental radiochemistry
- geochemical ecology and biominerals
- speciation and reaction modelling
- analytical technique development and refinement
Contact: Dr Juerg Matter
Facilities
The Geochemistry Group is equipped with a world-class range of analytical equipment and associated laboratories. The instruments and techniques available can be applied to a diverse range of applications including environmental, geological, nuclear, medical, archaeological and oceanographic. The facility is used for a wide range of research purposes and also for commercial analysis, examples of the type of commercial work we can under take are given here.
The facilities available are briefly described below and further details are available on each by clicking on the links.
For initial enquiries about our capability or using the facilities contact Dr. J. Andy Milton
Quadrupole ICP-MS: Thermo X-SERIES 2
This instrument is used for high-throughput elemental analysis via solution or solid sample introduction using the laser.
High Resolution ICP-MS: Thermo ELEMENT 2XR
This is a high-sensitivity elemental and isotopic analysis instrument for solution or solid samples using the laser. It is particularly suited to difficult matrix and problematic elemental analyses.
Multi-collector ICP-MS: Thermo NEPTUNE
We have two of these high-sensitivity isotope analysis instruments allowing analysis of solutions or solid samples using the laser. Currently measuring the following systems: Li, B, Cr, Fe, Sr, Nd, Pb, Hf, U, U-Pb, U-Th and Pu.
Thermal Ionisation: Thermo TRITON
This instrument provides high precision isotope analysis on samples that have been loaded onto a metal filament. Currently measuring the following systems: Sr, Nd, Pb.
Laser Ablation: New Wave UP193FX
This laser system is used for micro-sampling of solid samples it can be coupled to any ICP-MS systems above.
Micro drill: New Wave Micromill
For preparing micro-sized samples for subsequent analysis.
Clean Chemistry Laboratories
A suite of Class 100 chemistry labs for sample preparation prior to analysis.
Commercial Sample Analysis
The Geochemistry group is able to help you analyse your samples.
GAU-Radioanalytical (GAU)
Specialist analytical facilities.
Postgraduate opportunities
PhD Project Titles
Seafloor or uplift-related serpentinization of the Troodos Massif, Cyprus
Damon Teagle, Martin Palmer, Rachael James, Dave Craw (Otago, New Zealand).
The role of CO2 in Plio-Pleistocene climate change; revealed by orbital resolution boron isotope records
Gavin Foster, Paul Wilson, Eelco Rohling (ANU, Australia), Ian Bailey (U. Exeter)
Boron isotopes as tracers of igneous processes during collisional tectonics
Martin Palmer, Gavin Foster, Rex Taylor
Exploring the metabolic responses of marine fishes to climate change using stable carbon isotope composition of otoliths
Clive Trueman, Ewan Hunter (CEFAS), Audrey Darnaude (U. Montpellier)
Geological and oceanographic controls on the variation in concentration of E-tech elements (REE, cobalt and tellurium) in seafloor Fe-Mn crusts
Bramley Murton, Christopher Pearce, Paul Lusty (BGS)
Unlocking the history of sea surface temperature using SST-proxies in corals from the Belize Barrier Reef
Gavin Foster, Elizabeth Kent, David Berry
Habitat mapping, physical characterisation and paleoevolution of two contrasting Deep-Water Coral Mound Provinces in the Mediterranean
Claudio Lo Iacono, Veerle Huvenne, Gavin Foster, Eleni Anagnostou
Squaring the oceanic iron cycle using iron isotopes
Rachael James, Doug Connelly, Maeve Lohan, Alessandro Tagliabue (U. of Liverpool)
Glacial ocean circulation and the last great tipping point in Earth’s palaeoclimate history
Paul Wilson, Ian Bailey (U. Exeter), Gavin Foster, Kevin Oliver
Finding Earth’s thermostat: Testing the relationship between global climate, silicate weathering and marine carbonate production
Christopher Pearce, Steve Bohaty, Paul Wilson
Development of a low cost, high performance sensor for methane measurements in seawater
Socratis Loucaides, Matt Mowlem, Doug Connelly
Elemental partitioning and fractionation constraints on carbonate mineralisation within the oceanic crust
Christopher Pearce, Gavin Foster, Damon Teagle, Rosalind Coggon
What controls deep-sea manganese nodule formation?
Rachel Mills, Doug Connelly, Mikhail Zubkov
Coupled geophysical, geomechanical and geochemical monitoring of carbon capture and storage (CCS) reservoirs
Ismael Falcon-Suarez, Anna Lichtschlag, Angus Best, Rachael James
Simulating the hydrothermal alteration of the oceanic crust
Ros Coggon, Mathis Hain, Damon Teagle, Richard Herrington (Natural History Museum)
Testing the “Iron Hypothesis” and determining the causes of glacial-interglacial CO2 change
Gavin Foster, Mathis Hain, Jessica Whiteside
MarinE-tech: Geological effects of seamount volcanism, evolution and subsidence on the resource potential of seafloor Fe-Mn deposits
Bramley Murton, Tim Le Bas, Alan Evans
Scandium pathways and sinks in geological systems: Implications for future recoveries for high-tech industry
Steve Roberts, Richard Herrington (Natural History Museum), Chris Hartley (Bloom Energy)
The evolution of ENSO in the Tropical South Pacific: a high resolution study using laminated lake sediments from Vanuatu and the Cook Islands
Ian Croudace, David Sear, Pete Langdon
Carbon isotopes along GEOTRACES sections: anthropogenic and biological signals
Doug Connelly, Eric Achterberg (U. Bremen)