Objetivo
This project aims to directly constrain the melting history and composition of the mantle of the Earth
for the first 750 Ma of its history. So far, our limited knowledge hinges on isolated detrital zircons from
Archean crustal rocks. They indicate crustal extraction as early as 4.4 Ga with peaks at 4.0 and 4.3 Ga but
reveal conflicting models for the composition of the Hadean mantle. Both the timing and extent of these
early crust formation events and the composition of the Hadean mantle have crucial implications for our
understanding of the Early Earth’s chemical evolution and dynamics as well as crustal growth and thermal
cooling models. Sulfides (BMS) and platinum group minerals (PGM) may hold the key to these fundamental
issues, as they are robust time capsules able to preserve the melting record of their mantle source over
several billion years.
I propose to perform state-of-the-art in-situ Pt-Re-Os isotopic measurements on an extensive
collection of micrometric BMS and PGM from Archean cratonic peridotites and chromite deposits, and
paleoplacers in Archean sedimentary basins. For the first time, < 20 μm minerals will be investigated for Pt-
Re-Os. The challenging but high-resolution micro-drilling technique will be developed for in-situ sampling
of the PGM and BMS with subsequent high-precision 187Os-186Os isotopic measurements by NTIMS. This
highly innovative project will be the first to constrain Hadean Earth history from the perspective of the
Earth’s mantle. By opening a new window towards high-precision geochemical exploration for micrometric
minerals, this project will have long-term implications for the understanding of the micro to nano-scale
heterogeneity of isotopic signatures in the Earth’s mantle and in extra-terrestrial materials.
Ámbito científico
Convocatoria de propuestas
ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria
Régimen de financiación
ERC-SG - ERC Starting GrantInstitución de acogida
53113 Bonn
Alemania