Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-13-2022

Abstract

This dissertation presents the advances in non-traditional isotope geochemistry of planetary and terrestrial materials encompassing chlorine, sulfur, and zinc isotopes, as well as halogen geochemistry. A wide breadth of materials was studied throughout the completion of this work including iron meteorites, achondrites, chondrites, Apollo lunar samples, as well ancient marine chert, and carbonate sediments. Much of the focus involved the development of a method capable of simultaneously measuring the halogen contents and chlorine isotope compositions of geological materials. Here, I present these data sets to broadly characterize the process of devolatilization of planetary materials, and specifically the problem of ‘halogen-poisoning’ during planetary evolution wherein an overabundance of halogen elements would lead to highly saline planetary water reservoirs. The characterization of this problem encompasses several representative materials at different periods during the solar system’s evolution beginning with chondrites and achondrites, followed by lunar samples, and lastly, marine sediments.

Degree Name

Earth and Planetary Sciences

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Zachary Sharp

Second Committee Member

Justin Simon

Third Committee Member

Charles Shearer

Fourth Committee Member

Adrian Brearley

Fifth Committee Member

James Day

Project Sponsors

NASA

Language

English

Keywords

halogen, geochemistry, stable isotopes, volatiles, planetary science, chondrites

Document Type

Dissertation

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