Research project

The carbonate clumped isotope paleothermometer has shown its promises for many implications, including paleo-climate, paleo-latimetry, paleo-biology, thermal history of basins and diagenesis.
However, empirical calibrations of clumped isotopes do not extend beyond 80˚C. All applications for carbonates precipitated at tempertures in excess of 80˚C consequently rely on the assumption that the curve derived from low-tempertature calibrations can be extrapolated to higher temperatures. Although this may be a correct assumption, rigorous testing is required to establish it.
Performing precipitations at a controlled temperature in excess of 90˚C is more challenging as water evaporates under ambient pressure, and so a well-designed pressurized vessel is needed. However, calibrations at reservoir conditions (ambient temperatures of 100-200˚C) is crucial to increase confidence in clumped isotope applications to these systems.
Associated peer-reviewed publications:
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Clumped-isotope thermometry of magnesium carbonates in ultramafic rocks, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Volume 193, pp 222-250 (doi:10.1016/j.gca.2016.08.003)
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Community software for challenging isotope analysis: First applications of 'Eastope' to clumped isotopes, Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom., Volume 30, pp 2285-2300 (available online, doi:10.1002/rcm.7720)
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Relationship between karstification and burial dolomitization in Permian platform carbonates (Lower Khuff - Oman), Sedimentary Geology 342, pp 165-179 (available online, doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2016.07.001)
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Paired stable isotopes (O, C) and clumped isotope thermometry of magnesite and silica veins in the New Caledonia Peridotite Nappe, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Volume 183, pp 234-249 (available online, doi:10.1016/j.gca.2016.03.021)
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Crestal graben fluid evolution during growth of the Puig-reig anticline (South Pyrenean fold and thrust belt), Journal of Geodynamics (available online, doi:10.1016/j.jog.2016.05.004)
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Burial estimates constrained by clumped isotope paleothermometry: example of the Lower Cretaceous Qishn Formation (Haushi-Huqf High, Oman), In: Armitage, P. J., Butcher, A. R., Churchill, J. M., Csoma, A. E., Hollis, C., Lander, R. H., Omma, J. E. & Worden, R. H. (eds) Reservoir Quality of Clastic and Carbonate Rocks: Analysis, Modelling and Prediction. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 435, http://doi.org/10.1144/SP435.5
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Temperature dependence of oxygen- and clumped isotope fractionation in carbonates: a study of travertines and tufas in the 6-95˚C temperature range, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. Volume 168, pages 172-192 (available online, doi:10.1016/j.gca.2015.06.032)
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A simple method for vaterite precipitation for isotopic studies: implications for bulk and clumped isotope analysis, Biogeosciences (doi:10.5194/bg-12-3289-2015), volume 12, pp 3289-3299
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Effects of brine chemistry and polymorphism on clumped isotopes revealed by laboratory precipitation of mono- and multiphase calcium carbonates, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, volume 160, pp 155-168, doi:10.1016/j.gca.2015.03.031
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Laboratory calibration of the calcium carbonate clumped isotope thermometer in the 25-250˚C temperature range, Geochmimica et Cosmochimica Acta (available online), doi:10.1016/j.gca.2015.02.028
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The magnesium isotope (δ26Mg) signature of dolomites, Geochmimica et Cosmochimica Acta 149 (2015), pp 131-151. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2014.11.003
Associated conference abstracts:
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Calibration of clumped isotopes at subsurface conditions and the applications to carbonate reservoir characterization. GEO-2014, 11th Middle East Geosciences Conference and Exhibition, 10-12 March 2014, Manama, Bahrain
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