Research
Research groups
Research interests
- Isotope Geochemistry
- Palaeoclimate
- Archaeological Science
- Laser Ablation Systems
Current research
My research interests lie in the application of isotope geochemistry to the study of oceans, climate, and human societies of the past. In particular, I specialise in inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the use of laser ablation systems for in-situ analysis and geochemical mapping of solid-state samples.
My current research focuses on in-situ isotope (B, U-Th) and trace element (e.g. B/Ca, Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca, U/Ca) analyses of marine carbonates. Focussing on scleractinian corals, this is to both investigate the palaeo-environmental conditions in which they grew (e.g. pH, temperature), and to date their formation. Such geochemical systems also allow calculation of the carbonate system parameters of the organisms calcifying fluid, permitting investigations into how these animals precipitate their coral skeleton. This forms the focus of my current work – the ERC funded Microns2Reefs project – which aims to generate a mechanistic understanding of coral skeleton growth to enable a better understanding of the fate of coral reefs in the future.
My other research interests surround the application of isotope geochemistry to archaeology, including: investigating the procurement, exploitation and consumption of raw materials (especially the precious metals gold and silver) through Pb isotope analysis, shedding light on patterns of population mobility through Sr isotope analysis, and U-series disequilibrium dating of speleothems.