Serpentinites are hydrated ultramafic rocks that play a crucial role in the transfer of water from the hydrosphere to the lithosphere and finally to the deep Earth via subduction. The chemical and isotopic signatures of serpentinites therefore provide crucial information for geochemical mass balances. In serpentinites, trace element concentrations depend on both protolith and water-rock interactions during serpentinisation, whereas oxygen isotopes are controlled by water composition and serpentinisation temperature. Correlations between these two chemical signatures can therefore help to elucidate the conditions of serpentinisation. The project will study serpentinites from the Ligurian Ophiolites to reconstruct their oceanic evolution using textural, chemical and isotopic information. The results will be compared with chemical evolution trends recently defined from the study of serpentinites from oceanic cores.
The student will carry out petrographic investigations, trace element mineral and oxygen isotope analyses and geochemical modelling.
Advisors: Prof. Daniela Rubatto, Prof. Thomas Pettke
University: BE