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.