Supervisors:  Dr Gawen Jenkin (University of Leicester), Dr Jon Naden and Dr Mike Styles (British Geological Survey), Dr Adrian Boyce (Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre)

FULLY FUNDED NERC CASE Studentship with the British Geological Survey

Closing date Friday 10th September 2010
Interviews will be held in the week beginning 20th September 2010

Project Summary:

In the future it is likely that a broad portfolio of carbon abatement strategies will be needed to mitigate the effects of climate change—the main current technology is geological storage of carbon dioxide in porous rock.  However, in addition to deep burial it is also possible to permanently sequester CO₂ by turning it into mineral through a variety of fluid–rock reactions. This project seeks to aid the industrial development of this process by studying the fundamental controlling factors in a number of natural analogues where geothermal and hydrothermal systems sequester CO₂. Key examples occur in Tethyan ophiolites, i). where CO₂-bearing fluids react with serpentinite to form MgCO₃ (magnesite) and  ii). where alkaline springs react with atmospheric CO₂.  Fieldwork, over two seasons, to study these examples will be based in Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Cyprus.

Key Project Methodologies and Training Elements:
You will collect data to characterise the temperature, fluid-rock ratio and source of fluids by:

1. Field mapping to determine the extent and morphology of the hydrothermal systems and to collect representative samples of rocks, minerals and fluids.  The first field season will be in late-October to early-November, 2010.
2. Using a range of optical, electron-beam and X-ray diffraction techniques to determine sample mineralogy.
3. Analysing fluids, rocks and minerals for major and trace elements plus stable (O, H and S) and radiogenic (Sr) isotope ratios. The analytical programme for this will be undertaken at the NERC isotope Geosciences Laboratory, BGS, Keyworth and the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride.
4. Employing fluid inclusion microthermometry to determine salinity and temperature of the fluid depositing magnesite.

These data will be used to guide the design of industrial scale sequestration in these settings.

This project requires a student who is team orientated and broadly-based in both field geology and geochemistry. You need to be keen to undertake independent field mapping in Oman, UAE and Cyprus for which a driving license would be a strong advantage.  Some proficiency in the interpretation of petrological and geochemical data is expected, although training will be given.  An aptitude for laboratory work is also essential.

The project will equip you with the necessary knowledge and expertise to acquire and interpret information regarding alteration mapping and sampling and geochemical analysis (elemental and isotopic), skills that are necessary for an academic career or the mineral exploration industry.

About the Supervisors:

• Dr Jon Naden is a senior research geochemist at the BGS. His interests surround epithermal-style mineralisation in VHMS deposits and geothermal systems associated with emergent volcanism. 
• Dr Mike Styles has extensive experience of ophiolite geology, in particular in the UAE and Oman and is actively involved in projects on CO2 sequestration by mineralisation of ultramafic rocks. 
• Dr Gawen Jenkin has lectured in Applied Geology at Leicester since 1997 and has wide experience of fluid-inclusion and isotope systems, investigations of fluid-rock interaction, and mineralisation.
• Dr Adrian Boyce has over twenty years experience in the application of stable isotopes to hydrothermal systems.

To apply:

All candidates must apply to the PG Admissions Office, apply online or download form at: http://www2.le.ac.uk/study/postgrad/how-to-apply.  Enquiries to supervisor, email: geology@le.ac.uk.

Eligibility: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/postgrad/eligibility.asp