M.Sc. studentship on halogens in the South Greenland subcontinental lithospheric mantle
Supervisor Dr Emma Tomlinson (Department of Geology, Trinity College Dublin)
Project description
A two year M.Sc. research studentship opportunity (starting September 2015) in the field
of mantle geochemistry exists for a highly motivated individual at the Department of
Geology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
The volatile content of the lithospheric mantle is the result of initial depletion followed by
multiple episodes of metasomatic enrichment by volatile-rich fluids and/or melts derived
from subducted slabs and from the primordial volatile reservoir. This implies that the
metasomatised lithosphere may be a significant repository for volatile elements in the
mantle. The halogens (F, Cl, Br and I) represent key tracers of volatile transport processes
and storage in the Earth.
As part of a Science Foundation Ireland project, supporting one postdoctoral researcher
and two postgraduate students, this project aims to constrain the volatile flux from the
convecting mantle to the overlying lithosphere. This will be achieved by analyzing the
elemental (F, Cl, Br, I) and isotopic (δ37Cl) composition of mantle-derived kimberlitic
magma (preserved as melt inclusions) and also of both volatile-free (olivine, pyroxene)
and volatile-bearing (apatite, phlogopite) mantle minerals from the Pyramidefjeld
kimberlite field, South Greenland. The laboratory work will comprise petrology, SEM,
trace-element analyses using the state-of-the-art LA-ICP-MS laboratory at Trinity College
Dublin and SIMS analysis at the NordSIM facility in Sweden. The ultimate goal is to
constrain halogen fluxes into and out of the lithospheric mantle.
Requirements and Training
The ideal candidate is a Geology graduate with some laboratory and/or microanalysis
expertise. The project is open to EU students only (students who have been resident for 3
out of the last 5 years in the EU) and includes fees and a tax-free stipend of €18,000 per
annum. Prospective candidates should send an academic c.v. and the names and contact
details of at least two academic referees to tomlinse@tcd.ie. Evaluation of applications
will begin on 15th June 2015 and continue until the position is filled.