The Distribution of Oxygen in Earth's Mantle
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Earth Science and Engineering
Abstract
The exchange of oxygen between the mantle and surface environment is a key component of Earth's geochemical cycle. Oxygen plays a role in generation of magma within the earth and the transfer of volatile elements like sulfur, carbon and hydrogen from the solid earth into molten rock. When such magma rises towards the surface, volcanic gases are released, driving or regulating the composition of Earth's atmosphere. It is therefore increasingly accepted that variation in the oxygen content of Earth's mantle is closely linked to Earth's habitability as a planet.
Basaltic magma is generated by melting the mantle. Therefore, the composition of samples of basaltic volcanoes carries information about the composition of the underlying mantle. However, many processes modify the magma's composition from the point of generation at depth to eruption at the surface. The generation of the melt itself, its crystallisation in the shallow crust and the loss of volcanic gases near the surface all change the composition of magma. It is therefore necessary to account for these processes in order to understand the chemical characteristics of the mantle. Previous attempts to study variation in the oxygen content of the mantle have made simplifying assumptions about these processes. However, progress in theoretical understanding of elemental behaviour indicates that the correcting assumptions need to be revisited. One startling feature of the previous studies is that they come to very different conclusions about the distribution of oxygen in the mantle. The current uncertainty in the oxygen content of the upper mantle corresponds to a number of oxygen atoms that is about 100 times that present in the atmosphere!
We think that part of this discrepancy is caused by the sets of assumptions that previous investigators have made. A crucial component of our project is therefore to use new theoretical and observational constraints to understand how the processes in magmatic systems modify the chemistry of basalt. We have carefully chosen our target geologic setting: Iceland has plentiful basalts that are well studied in terms of traditional chemical compositions and therefore provide us with the extensive background information we need to underpin our models. Once we have improved models by adding our new observations, we can better focus our map of the variation in the oxidation state of the Earth's mantle.
In detail, our research will involve a great deal of painstaking geochemical work. We aim to use the isotopic composition of the element vanadium, because theoretical work and preliminary experimental studies indicate that the behaviour of vanadium and its isotopes is strongly controlled by mantle oxidation state. By combining new constraints from vanadium isotopes with other geochemical measurements that are thought to be sensitive to mantle oxygen, we can construct a model of oxidation state across the Iceland. The combination of several independent chemical constraints allows us to determine just how much variation in oxygen there is beneath this classic locality. Furthermore, it equips the community with a precise tool to extract global variations in mantle oxidation.
Basaltic magma is generated by melting the mantle. Therefore, the composition of samples of basaltic volcanoes carries information about the composition of the underlying mantle. However, many processes modify the magma's composition from the point of generation at depth to eruption at the surface. The generation of the melt itself, its crystallisation in the shallow crust and the loss of volcanic gases near the surface all change the composition of magma. It is therefore necessary to account for these processes in order to understand the chemical characteristics of the mantle. Previous attempts to study variation in the oxygen content of the mantle have made simplifying assumptions about these processes. However, progress in theoretical understanding of elemental behaviour indicates that the correcting assumptions need to be revisited. One startling feature of the previous studies is that they come to very different conclusions about the distribution of oxygen in the mantle. The current uncertainty in the oxygen content of the upper mantle corresponds to a number of oxygen atoms that is about 100 times that present in the atmosphere!
We think that part of this discrepancy is caused by the sets of assumptions that previous investigators have made. A crucial component of our project is therefore to use new theoretical and observational constraints to understand how the processes in magmatic systems modify the chemistry of basalt. We have carefully chosen our target geologic setting: Iceland has plentiful basalts that are well studied in terms of traditional chemical compositions and therefore provide us with the extensive background information we need to underpin our models. Once we have improved models by adding our new observations, we can better focus our map of the variation in the oxidation state of the Earth's mantle.
In detail, our research will involve a great deal of painstaking geochemical work. We aim to use the isotopic composition of the element vanadium, because theoretical work and preliminary experimental studies indicate that the behaviour of vanadium and its isotopes is strongly controlled by mantle oxidation state. By combining new constraints from vanadium isotopes with other geochemical measurements that are thought to be sensitive to mantle oxygen, we can construct a model of oxidation state across the Iceland. The combination of several independent chemical constraints allows us to determine just how much variation in oxygen there is beneath this classic locality. Furthermore, it equips the community with a precise tool to extract global variations in mantle oxidation.
Planned Impact
Industrial Beneficiaries:
-FEI (high performance microscopy company) - Direct benefit;
-Mineral Resource and Energy companies - Indirect benefit.
FEI sells many QEMSCAN imaging systems to industry every year. The importance of quantifying the mineral compositions in ore rocks is clear for mining companies, and hydrocarbon companies use QEMSCAN for understanding reservoir quality. QEMSCAN converts EDS data into mineral-composition maps using a SIP file. We will develop a SIP file for mafic/ultramafic rocks and will share this with FEI. They may then use this file in combination with other companies to improve characteristion of ore-bearing rocks, with crucial global economic influence. We will also generate beautiful high resolution images that FEI may use in their marketing of the QEMSCAN system. The project PDRA and the summer students on the project will develop experience with QEMSCAN - a skill that will be very attractive to mining and hydrocarbon companies that use the software.
Educational Beneficiaries:
-Public/undergraduates/postgraduates via Imperial Rock Library -Direct;
-Industries requiring petrographic ability - Indirect.
-UK education via promotion of STEM subjects - Direct
The Imperial College London Rock Library is a database of rocks and minerals specifically designed as a university level training, evaluation and reference resource. Through easy access to thousands of examples of minerals, textures and rock types, straightforward online identification tools, training activities and evaluation tests the Rock Library provides a unique set of tools to ensure Earth Scientists obtain and maintain a high level of practical ability without requiring direct access to microscopes and hand specimens. The Rock Library and currently attracts 400,000 users per year from almost every country, most of which are undergraduates, postgraduates and industry geologists. However, there is a lack of basaltic examples in general and Icelandic examples specifically. Our work will address this by making high quality QEMSCAN images available to the Rock Library, thus expanding its technologic repertoire.
Encouraging the next generation of scientists is a fundamental responsibility of academia. We approach this by using 'student reporters' who will document the course of the work by participation in field work and subsequently following the samples they have witnessed being collected as they are converted into high quality, meaningful chemical data. Student reporters will inform both their peers and the general public through outreach including, but not limited to, the Imperial Festival, blogs, vlogs, and Imperial's Earth Class. Earth Class is specifically aimed at year 9 and 10 students who will be considering further education. We hope to generate excitement and enthusiams for STEM subjects in general, and our work in particular by portraying the journey of the work through the eyes of the young student reporters.
-FEI (high performance microscopy company) - Direct benefit;
-Mineral Resource and Energy companies - Indirect benefit.
FEI sells many QEMSCAN imaging systems to industry every year. The importance of quantifying the mineral compositions in ore rocks is clear for mining companies, and hydrocarbon companies use QEMSCAN for understanding reservoir quality. QEMSCAN converts EDS data into mineral-composition maps using a SIP file. We will develop a SIP file for mafic/ultramafic rocks and will share this with FEI. They may then use this file in combination with other companies to improve characteristion of ore-bearing rocks, with crucial global economic influence. We will also generate beautiful high resolution images that FEI may use in their marketing of the QEMSCAN system. The project PDRA and the summer students on the project will develop experience with QEMSCAN - a skill that will be very attractive to mining and hydrocarbon companies that use the software.
Educational Beneficiaries:
-Public/undergraduates/postgraduates via Imperial Rock Library -Direct;
-Industries requiring petrographic ability - Indirect.
-UK education via promotion of STEM subjects - Direct
The Imperial College London Rock Library is a database of rocks and minerals specifically designed as a university level training, evaluation and reference resource. Through easy access to thousands of examples of minerals, textures and rock types, straightforward online identification tools, training activities and evaluation tests the Rock Library provides a unique set of tools to ensure Earth Scientists obtain and maintain a high level of practical ability without requiring direct access to microscopes and hand specimens. The Rock Library and currently attracts 400,000 users per year from almost every country, most of which are undergraduates, postgraduates and industry geologists. However, there is a lack of basaltic examples in general and Icelandic examples specifically. Our work will address this by making high quality QEMSCAN images available to the Rock Library, thus expanding its technologic repertoire.
Encouraging the next generation of scientists is a fundamental responsibility of academia. We approach this by using 'student reporters' who will document the course of the work by participation in field work and subsequently following the samples they have witnessed being collected as they are converted into high quality, meaningful chemical data. Student reporters will inform both their peers and the general public through outreach including, but not limited to, the Imperial Festival, blogs, vlogs, and Imperial's Earth Class. Earth Class is specifically aimed at year 9 and 10 students who will be considering further education. We hope to generate excitement and enthusiams for STEM subjects in general, and our work in particular by portraying the journey of the work through the eyes of the young student reporters.
Organisations
Publications
Novella D
(2020)
A multi-proxy investigation of mantle oxygen fugacity along the Reykjanes Ridge
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Nielsen S
(2019)
Nucleosynthetic vanadium isotope heterogeneity of the early solar system recorded in chondritic meteorites
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Hopkins S
(2019)
The vanadium isotopic composition of lunar basalts
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Description | An improved method of analysis has been tested in the first 6 months of this award at Imperial College London. Reproducible results with an order of magnitude less sample required has been achieved. 2017/2018: All samples needed for the remainder of the work were collected. We completed this initial dataset of Reykjanes Ridge analyses and established that V isotopes and Fe valence ratios do not co-vary. PI Prytulak moved from Imperial College London to Durham University in April 2018. Grant Transfer took ~3 months to complete. This grant was transferred - along with PI Prytulak - in April 2018 to Durham University. Researchfish now has it listed as a separate award. |
Exploitation Route | 2016: Initial results are promising in fulfilling the aims of this grant. 2017/2018: We completed the first task (glasses along Rekyjanes Ridge), have collected samples fro the remainder of the grant and are actively analysing those. Results of our initial Reykjanes Ridge work were presented at the international Goldschmidt 2017 conference in Paris by PDRA Dr. Davide Novella. 2018: PI Prytulak moves institutes to Durham University and 3 months time is lost during this transfer. Award is transferred to Durham and reported under a separate code in researchfish. |
Sectors | Chemicals Education Environment Other |
Description | BGI Research Grant - Vanadium stable isotope fractionation in Earth's Interior |
Amount | € 2,000 (EUR) |
Organisation | German Research Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | Germany |
Start | 02/2018 |
End | 02/2018 |
Description | IAPETUS DTP PhD studentship to M. Stow |
Amount | £5,338,027 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/L002590/1 |
Organisation | Durham University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | SSCP (Imperial) DTP PhD studentship to S. Page - transferred to IAPETUS (Durham) DTP in 2018 |
Amount | £7,611,217 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/L002515/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 03/2020 |
Title | Sample collection in Iceland - 2017 |
Description | PIs John Maclennan and Julie Prytulak, PDRA Davide Novella and undergraduate student 'reporters' Kev Wong and Xenia Boyes went to Iceland to collect material relevant to the project (basaltic lavas and picrites). Such samples are being prepared for geochemical analyses of major, minor and trace elements to be performed by EMPA, QUEMSCAN and LA-ICPMS, as well as stable isotopes with a MC-ICPMS. In one week of fieldwork we visited different sites throughout Iceland and collected samples from the following locations: -Borgarhraun -Vitis: Langaviti Pele's tears (65.895904 N, 16.845521 W) Theistareykir Picrites (65.931692 N, 17.071765 W) -Midfell: pillow lavas (64.174451 N, 21.047830 W) The collected samples contain also minerals (e.g. olivine, spinel, pyroxenes, plagioclase) that formed upon crystallization of the magmas. The combined study of glasses and minerals will allow us to investigate the effect of mineral crystallization on V isotope fractionation and the potential of V stable isotopes as redox sensor of the Earth's mantle. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Successful collection of appropriate samples is key to the aims of the grant. They are actively being analysed. |
Description | Cheltenham Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | PDRA Davide Novella participated in the GeoBus outreach research program at the 2017 Cheltenham Science Festival in collaboration with University College London. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Departmental Seminar, Hannover, Germany |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited departmental seminar at the Institute fur Mineralogie and Petrologie, Hannover, Germany. A 45 minute lecture with lively 20 minute discussion afterwards as part of a two-day visit to initiate and strengthen international collaboration. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Departmental seminar at Leeds University Earth Science Department |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited Departmental seminar as part of a two day visit to discuss further grant applications with colleagues at Leeds. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/research/essi/geoscience-seminars/Event/?SemID=412 |
Description | Undergraduate field work student reporters |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | As per our impact plan, we recruited two undergraduate students to join us for field work associated with this grant. The students, Xenia and Kevin Wong, took video of our fieldwork, posted regular blog and twitter entries during the trip: (blog): https://lavatolab.wordpress.com (twitter) https://twitter.com/lavatolab. They will continue to be engaged with the grant progression, telling the story of how a collected lava can eventually tell us about the amount of oxygen in Earth's mantle. Kev Wong continued in research and undertook a PhD at the University of Leeds, where he was awarded his doctorate in 2023. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |