SERVICES & FACILITIES ANNUAL REPORT - FY April 2006 to March 2007
SERVICE
Isotope Community Support Facility
ICSF
FUNDING
Block
AGREEMENT
F14/G6/11/01
ESTABLISHED as S&F
1991
TERM
3
TYPE OF SERVICE PROVIDED:
ICSF meets the need in the Geoscience Community for isotopic analyses and training primarily in support of research related to the
NERC Priority Areas Sustainable Economies and Earth’s Life Support Systems, with three new projects, utilizing our applied
geoscience expertise, contributing to Climate Change. Training of postgraduate students in the principles and practice of stable
isotope geochemistry lies at the core of ICSF support (every approved project from 1999-2006 has a student undergoing training).
Students gain access, via ICSF, to a suite of international-class isotope systems at SUERC for analyses of minerals, fluids and
organic compounds. ICSF offers a first-rate environment (2006 Services Review Group marking 4) with the highest level of
service (5), as reflected in our formal 2005/6 user survey (>93% users think overall service and student training is excellent, 7%
judging it good). PI”s and students also benefit from the complementary expertise resulting from ICSF being embedded in SUERC.
Our research focus has been on the full cycle of the Applied Minerals research, from genetic modelling informing exploration and
exploitation, through to remediation. From approved projects addressing fundamental ore genesis, to dealing with remediation
strategies for acid mine drainage, ICSF supports the NERC Strategy through its commitment to revealing and explaining the Earth's
resources and supporting their sustainable use in an environmentally conscious manner. The Facility is headed by Dr. Fin Stuart
and managed by Dr. Adrian Boyce with technician (50% time) Mrs Alison McDonald. Access is through (i) application to the
NERC Isotope Geoscience Facilities Steering Committee (NIGFSC); and/or (ii) pilot studies preparatory to future applications,
approved by the Facility. Analyses are produced for successful projects (currently 3M and above are funded for postgraduate, or
4 for higher level research) most commonly through intensive, one-to-one postgraduate supervision, supervised by Dr. Boyce.
Output is primarily measured by (i) peer-reviewed publication, and (ii) the production of motivated young scientists, trained to
fulfil the strategic needs of the NERC and the UK. Since ICSF inception in 1991, 93% of research students from ICSF approved
projects have gone on to work in the exploration/environmental industries (70%) or are applying their skills in academia (23%).
Quality is assured through the NIGFSC peer-review process. This year 20 approved and 5 pilot projects were supported from 15
UK Institutions. Six PhD students underwent in-depth training in stable isotope principles, making extensive use of six isotope ratio
mass spectrometers and several conventional and laser preparation systems at SUERC. In this way, ICSF promotes the
government’s priority for the long-term health of the science base. Six new projects were approved, including three from new
institutions (Liverpool, Nottingham, RHUL) and four new PI’s. Whilst these projects remain at the core of ICSF’s commitment to
student training, Dr. Boyce actively seeks collaborative earned grant income to fund personal research; participation in grantfunded science also provides a yardstick for quality that is applied to Facility applications. In this regard, ICSF was part of a
successful NERC URGENCY grant (NE/E00170X/1: PI’s Prof. I. Head, Newcastle University) in 2006.
ANNUAL TARGETS AND PROGRESS TOWARDS THEM
Following advice from SRG 2006, ICSF has continued to evolve of the Facility away from student-centred, mineral deposit-related
projects. Of the six new and five pilot studies undertaken by ICSF, around 1/3 were in support of students, with 2/3 in direct
support of high level, largely NERC-supported projects. We have also increased our profile in Earth’s Life Support Systems (30%
of 06-07 projects) and Climate Change (13%), compared to our yearly average of >75% Sustainable Economies over past three
years. Our target of using our acknowledged strengths to expand into environmental hydrogeology continues, with a new
application from Dr. David Polya at Manchester University, and publication of complementary research in the subject of As
contaminated groundwaters.
SCORES AT LAST REVIEW (each out of 5)
Need
Uniqueness
4
4
CAPACITY of HOST ENTITY
FUNDED by S&F
100%
Quality of Service
5
Staff & Status
Independent Members
8
2009-10
Meetings per annum
2
2006
Average
4.25
Next
Review
(January)
2009
1 Manager – Dr. Adrian Boyce (RA3) (100%)
1 Part-time Technician – Mrs Alison McDonald (Grade E)
FINANCIAL DETAILS: CURRENT FY
Total Resource
Unit Cost £k
Allocation £k
Half Day of Full Facility Time
118.48
0.308
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT (by year until end of current agreement)
2006-07 131,310
2007-08 136,562
2008-09 142,005
STEERING COMMITTEE
NIGFSC
Date of Last Review:
Quality of Science & Training
4
Contract
Ends
(31 March)
2010
Capital
Expend £k
Income
£k
Full cash
cost £k
0
0
131.31
147,706
2010-11
Other S&F Overseen
AIF, OUUSF, NIGL
153,614
APPLICATIONS: DISTRIBUTION OF GRADES (Current FY — 2006/07)
5
4
3
2
1

NERC Grant projects
1
2
Other academic
Students
3
Pilot
1
2
3
TOTAL
APPLICATIONS: DISTRIBUTION OF GRADES (per annum average previous 3 years —2002/03 - 2004/05)
5
4
3
2
1

NERC Grant projects
Other Academic
Students
2
2
Pilot
2
2
TOTAL
R*/Pilot
1
Reject
4
5
R*/Pilot
Reject
2
2
PROJECTS COMPLETED (Current FY)
5
NERC Grant projects
Other Academic
Students
Pilot
4
3
1
2
2
1
1
Infrastructure
Student
Supplement to NERC Grant *
Total NERC
1
13
9
31
USER PROFILE (per annum average previous 3 years)
Infrastructure
Grand
Student
Total
Supplement to NERC Grant *
Total NERC
21
2
9
7
USER PROFILE (current FY)
Academic
Centre/Survey
17
2
USER PROFILE (per annum average previous 3 years)
Academic
Centre/Survey
12
1
NERC C/S
Other
*Combined non-Directed and Directed
PAYG
Student
NERC C/S Other
Total NERC
2
15
NERC C/S
Other
1
7
NERC Grant*
ES
92%
NERC Fellows
0
PhD
13
Commercial
0
NERC Fellows
0
PhD
12
Commercial
0
Distribution of Projects (by science areas)
MS
AS
TFS
4%
OUTPUT & PERFORMANCE MEASURES (per annum average previous 3 years)
Publications (by science area & type)
SBA
ES
MS
AS
TFS
EO
Polar
Grand Total
Refereed
14
17
12
SBA
ES
100%
Earth’s life support systems
7
*Combined non-Directed and Directed
PAYG
Student
NERC C/S Other
Total NERC
NERC Grant*
OUTPUT & PERFORMANCE MEASURES (current FY)
Publications (by science area & type)
SBA
ES
MS
AS
TFS
EO
Polar
Grand Total
Refereed
17
1
18
10
SBA
4%
R*/Pilot
2
USER PROFILE (current FY)
Grand
Total

Distribution of Projects (by science areas)
MS
AS
TFS
Non-Ref/ Conf Proc
7
EO
Polar
Non-Ref/ Conf Proc
3
EO
Distribution of Projects (by NERC strategic priority)
Climate Change
Sustainable Economies
Underpinning Science
3
15
PhD Theses
1
PhD Theses
2
Polar
Specific Research
1
OVERVIEW & ACTIVITIES IN FINANCIAL YEAR (2005/06):
TRAINING – THE CORE EFFORT
The production of highly motivated and educated young scientists is a primary objective of the current NERC strategy, Science for
the Sustainable Future, and will remain so in the developing future NERC Strategy. ICSF contributes to this commitment by
investing our expertise in young and talented people. Our core support centres on student training in the principles and practice of
isotope geochemistry, especially stable isotopes (C, H, O and S) – ALL approved ICSF projects from 1999-2006 have involved such
in-depth training. In the past year, 13 PhD students (7 NERC/CASE, 2 NERC, 1 Geol. Soc., 3 University/Industry Studentships)
received training in the principles and practice of stable isotope geochemistry. Five presented data to national conferences, six have
papers published or in review in peer-reviewed journals (2 in Economic Geology, 2 in Mineralium Deposita, 1 in Earth & Planet.
Sci. Letters, 1 in J. Geol. Soc. London), and one PhD thesis was completed. In all cases, training starts with the development of the
project, through formulation of the application, in close consultation with Dr. Boyce. On-site training and data acquisition then forms
the central part of ICSF support, which ends with thesis completion and peer-reviewed publication. The quality of these studentbased projects has been improved and maintained, with no application receiving less than 3M from the NIGFSC since 2000.
Through NERC CASE and industry-linked studentships there is a strong interaction with industry. Grants to 10 of the 13 students
who received in-depth training this year were part-subsidized by the mineral exploration industry. All of these students work on
projects centred on international research areas, 7 of which are in developing countries.
PROJECT THROUGHPUT
20 approved and 5 pilot projects, involving 31 researchers, were supported by ICSF this year. The bulk of effort went into four areas,
(1) data accumulation and training for recently approved projects; (2) paper redaction; (3) personal research and technical
development; (4) development of new projects with academic partners. Dr. Boyce takes a hands-on role in developing new projects,
contributing as early as possible to new projects once approached by PI’s.
RESULTS – PAPERS
Since last year, 10 peer-reviewed papers have been published or are in press in international-class journals (Annex 6), and 1 PhD
thesis completed, incorporating an extensive database acquired from ICSF. All of the published papers are collaborative, reflecting
the nature of the Facility. Through the applied and international nature of the project work, 80% of these publications have an
overseas author, and 30% have a private/public sector co-author. These efforts highlight the commitment of the Facility to produce
and foster quality, international-level science, and tangible measures for the NERC portfolio.
PERSONAL RESEARCH – ADDING VALUE
Whilst NIGFSC-approved projects remain central to ICSF’s mission, Dr. Boyce is occasionally asked to be a named co-PI on NERC
and other grant bids. This year ICSF was a partner in a successful URGENCY NERC grant (NE/E00170X/1) to investigate the
biogeochemistry and microbial habitats of a potential deep geothermal system in the Weardale Granite (PI at Newcastle University:
Prof. Ian Head) via sampling of waters from a packer test in March/April 2006. Such effort provides a yardstick for quality in ICSF
project applications, and contributes funding for Dr. Boyce’s approved personal research.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT – SUSTAINED TEMPO
A scrutiny of time-cost allocations of ICSF indicates that over the life of each contract, an average of four new approved projects and
2-3 pilot projects per year can be taken on by ICSF. Until 2006, ICSF approved projects were exclusively student-based (see above).
However, following advice from SRG, ICSF has diversified its user base, to be more directly aligned to supporting NERC science (3
of 4 newly approved non-student projects are in support of NERC grants, with one in support of a New Investigator grant). ICSF is
also diversifying its portfolio, whilst maintaining strengths (see Future Development/Strategic Forward Look; the other is in support
of a Leverhulme award), in line with NERC strategic aims. We have also been successful in broadening our user base – with 4 of 6
approved project PI’s being new users, and 100% of pilot project PI’s (5) new users.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS (including four most impactful published outputs):
1. Maier, W.D., Andreoli, M., McDonald, I., Higgins, M.D., Boyce, A.J., Shukolyukov, A., Lugmair, G.W., Ashwal, L.D.,
Graeser, P., Ripley, E. and Hart, R. (2006) Discovery of a 25cm asteroid clast in the giant Morokweng impact crater,
South Africa. NATURE, 441, 203-206.
It has long been assumed that large asteroids or comets (>4km diameter) that collide with the Earth generate such enormous
energy and high temperatures (>10,000°C!) on impact that all traces of the original body were obliterated. These impacts cause
huge craters, and have been suggested to lead to environmental stress and mass extinctions, like the dinosaurs. Smaller impact
craters around the Earth have been found to contain meteoritic fragments from largely iron asteroids. No such traces have been
recovered from larger craters, which can be up to 300km in diameter. Until now.
This generally accepted view has now been challenged due to the exciting
discovery by our international team of scientists, which includes Dr. Iain
McDonald (Cardiff University's School of Earth Ocean & Planetary Sciences),
PI of the approved project IP/909/0506. An initial paper was published in
Nature. The Morokweng crater in South Africa was formed 144 million years
ago when an asteroid struck and caused a scar in the landscape of at least 70km
diameter. The team were assisting a company drilling for copper and nickel at
the site – impact craters often being associated with unusual natural resource
concentrations. One borehole drilled into the crater intersected a 25cm long
fragment of meteorite-like rock. S isotopic analysis of its minerals and its bulk
chemical signature demonstrated its extraterrestrial origin. Since the discovery of
the large fragment, the team have found many more, smaller fragments in the
same core, indicating that much of the asteroid may have survived melting in the crater's magma pool and remained as solid
boulder or pebble sized lumps. The meteorite is an ordinary chondrite, but is no run of the mill meteorite. It shows striking
differences compared to other typical meteorites, such as the absence of iron-nickel metal. It appears that the Morokweng
meteorite may have come from a very different part of the parent asteroid than other ordinary chondrites that currently fall on
Earth.
2. D. Wacey and M. Brasier (Oxford University) Critical testing of suggested occurrences of early (3500Ma year old) life
This exciting new project that will be a focus in the coming year is the critical testing of the early occurrence of life, 3.43 billion
years ago. In support of an a5-rated NERC grant (NE/C510883/1), this project also obtained ICSF’s highest project grading to date
(5: IP/951/1106). The aim of this project is to explore the context and to fully characterise putatively biogenic microtubules found
in microcrystalline silica grains within the ~3.43Ga Strelley Pool Sandstone from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. We are
investigating two related questions: 1. what is the geological context of the microtubules – is it consistent with an early Archean
age or could they be younger contaminants? 2. How did the microtubules form – is their chemistry and morphology consistent with
a biological origin, or could they have been formed abiogenically? The proposed S isotope study will provide a crucial test of
a/biogenicity.
3. Glynn, S., Mills, R.A., Palmer, M.R., Pancost, R.D., Severmann, S. and Boyce, A.J. (2006) The role of prokaryotes in
supergene alteration of submarine hydrothermal sulfides. EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS, 244, 170185.
Oxidising hydrothermal sulfide mounds provide some of the sharpest redox
contrasts in the planet, but how much does bacterial activity - often considered,
but rarely proven - contribute to the rapidity of this alteration process. We
combined mineralogical, stable isotope and organic biomarker data to
QuickTime™ and a
understand the role of bacterial activity in supergene reactions within these
TIFF (LZW) decompressor
submarine hydrothermal sulfidic sediments. Data from two adjacent cores from
are needed to see this picture.
the periphery of the inactive Alvin hydrothermal mound show that the limit of
oxygenated seawater penetration into the sulfidic sediments
is expressed as a sharp peak in solid phase Cu (atacamite and secondary Cu
sulfides) associated with supergene alteration of the sulfide pile. There is a
statistically significant enrichment of prokaryote numbers at this redox front that
coincides with abundant Fe-oxide filaments (Figure: rod-like goethite filaments variably encrusted with hematite cemented by
twinned euhedral gypsum crystals. White dashed lines indicate the gypsum boundaries) and a unique distribution of microbial
biomarkers. The dominance of quaternary-branched alkanes in the oxidized transition zone immediately above the redox front, and
their absence below, suggests a significant role of the source organisms in iron or sulfide oxidation under the more circumneutral
conditions associated with the redox transition zone. The morphology of the Fe-oxide filaments (Figure) preserved within late
stage silica and gypsum mineralization is consistent with a biogenic origin of the filaments. Gypsum S isotopes (IP/774/0902) are
in equilibrium with fluids that are derived from quantitative sulfide oxidation and the gypsum nucleation is inferred to be
biologically induced. These new data suggest that during supergene alteration of sulfidic sediments sharp redox and pH
gradientsare generated that stimulate prokaryotic activity, in particular iron and sulfide oxidisers, which in turn govern the
distribution of secondary mineral phases and the abundance of redox sensitive trace metals.
4. Coogan, L.A., Howard, K.A., Gillis, K.M., Bickle, M., Chapman, H., Boyce, A.J., Jenkin, G.R.T. and Wilson, R.N. (2006)
Chemical and thermal constraints on focussed fluid flow in the lower oceanic crust. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF
SCIENCE, 306, 389-427.
The mechanism of heat extraction from the lower oceanic crust near mid-ocean ridge axes is poorly constrained despite its
importance for understanding both the process of accretion of the plutonic complex and the mass fluxes associated with near-axis
hydrothermal systems. We have investigated the role of zones of focussed fluid flow in the plutonic complex of the Oman
ophiolite in the near-axis cooling of the oceanic crust. Lineaments that occur at 1 km spacing, show evidence for extensive
hydrothermal fluid flow through regions 10 to 50 m wide. Isotopic and geochemical data, in support of this NERC New
Investigators grant (NER/M/S/2003/00045), enabled a quantitative fluid flux to be calculated for these zones, and showed
enhanced cooling rates adjacent to the flow zones. Our results show that focussed fluid flow plays a major role in the cooling in the
lower oceanic crust, and thus has important implications for predicting the total mass flux associated with hydrothermal circulation
at mid-ocean ridges. It appears that the chemistry of fluids flowing through channels become rock-buffered at smaller fluid fluxes
than those flowing pervasively through a rock mass. Thus, if focussed fluid flow is an important mechanism of heat loss from the
lower oceanic crust the chemical fluxes from ridge hydrothermal systems into the oceans may be smaller than currently thought.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS/STRATEGIC FORWARD LOOK
We will continue to expand our profile away from wholly student-centred, largely mineral deposit related projects related to
Sustainable Economies. We thus envisage the concentration on projects related to Sustainable Economies to diminish from it’s
current 3 year average of >75%. This has already begun with Earth’s Life Support Systems (30% of 06-07 projects) and Climate
Change (13%) increasing significantly. Our expansion into environmental hydrogeology will continue, and in doing so we will
gain new expertise in dissolved inorganic and dissolved organic carbon analytical methods.
Rio Tinto’s Pic de Fon deposit represents a new, world-class resource (~1billion tonnes) of high-grade iron ore, located in the
Simandou Range, Republic of Guinea. The project involves unravelling the fundamental process(es) by which banded iron
formation (BIF) is converted to iron ore – involving a spectacular mass transfer, resulting in fully enriched iron ore with 65-70%
Fe! Through Dr. Jamie Wilkinson’s NERC CONNECT B (NER/D/S/2002/00966) grant and tied studentship (Mr. Ian Cope), a
successful application (IP/954/1106) to measure O isotopes was obtained. Early results indicate that the initial transformation
towards iron ore took place at metamorphic temperatures, and that the final transformation was dominated by a distinct, meteoric
water-dominated hydrothermal event, probably controlled by fault structures. Results are proving so promising that a pilot study
has been approved to allow finer resolution of the isotope history via the Ion Microprobe Facility.