Isotope Geochemistry and Planetary Science

Understanding the timing of formation and processes of differentiation and volatile depletion of terrestrial planets. To reach these goals I develop and use high precision isotopic measurements.

I used Cr isotope measurements which valuably include a stable isotope ratio (⁵³Cr/⁵²Cr, to study processes), a radiogenic daughter of ⁵³Mn (⁵³Cr, to study timing) and nucleosynthetic anomalies ⁵⁴Cr (to study stellar origin). I combine these three approaches by using both thermal ionization mass-spectrometry (TIMS) and multi-collector, inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (MC-ICPMS), unspiked (radiogenic and nucleosynthetic anomalies) and double spiked (stable isotopes). 

1. Cr isotopic anomalies in meteorites.

I have measured by both TIMS and MC-ICP-MS the mass-independent Cr isotope variations produced by both radiogenic ingrowths to study the timing (e.g. ⁵³Mn-⁵³Cr chronometry) and nucleosynthetic anomalies to study the origin (⁵⁴Cr) of primitive meteorites, their main components (chondrules) and planetary bodies (including Earth, Moon, Mars, Angrite, Ureilite, and Aubrite parent bodies).

2. Cr stable isotopic compositions (mass-dependent fractionation) in meteorites.

I use an original approach by measuring Cr stable isotope variations (using double spike approach coupled with a MC-ICP-MS) to study the origin of chondrites and volatile loss, magmatic evolution, and core-mantle differentiation of terrestrial planets (Mars, Vesta, Angrite, Ureilite, and Aubrite parent bodies).

3. Other isotopic systems.

After my PhD study, I also started to touch the isotopes of other elements. For example, 1) Ni is a siderophile element that can be used to trace the planetary core formation; 2) Ca isotope compositions of chondrites and planets and the implications for their genetic relationships and differentiation.

4. Terrestrial processes.

I am also expanding my expertise of isotopes from meteorites to terrestrial samples, including Archean samples, tektites, oceanic island basalts, Fe-Mn nodules and banded iron formation.