Project title: Evolution of Indian Summer Monsoon intensification

Project code: OU26 [Fully funded]

Host institution: The Open University

Theme: Dynamic Earth

Key words: Palaeoclimate, Monsoon, Foraminifera, Geochemical proxies, IODP Exp 353

Supervisory team: Pallavi Anand (Open University:pallavi.anand@open.ac.uk), James Bendle (University of

Birmingham: j.bendle@bham.ac.uk), Nigel Harris (Open University:

n.b.w.harris@open.ac.uk)

Project Highlights:Project Highlights:Project Highlights:Project Highlights:

• Multi-proxy monsoon hydroclimate

reconstructions on tectonic timescale

• Evaluate monsoon intensification in response

to global climate and/or tectonics

• Collaboration and networking opportunity

with IODP expedition 353 team

OverviewOverviewOverviewOverview::::

The Asian Monsoon is one of the best examples of

coupling between solid Earth and atmospheric

processes, but it’s evolution over tectonic time scales

(millions of years) is poorly understood. The key

questions that this project will address are: (i) when

was the intensification of the Indian Summer

Monsoon (ISM) initiated?; and (ii) was this

intensification in response to global climate or to

tectonic changes during the Cenozoic?

Different oceanic and terrestrial proxy records from

the monsoon regions have provided conflicting

evidence for the timing of initiation and or strength of

summer monsoon [1-2]. These contradictory results

highlight the importance of long, continuous sediment

successions and robust proxies for achieving

consensus about the timing of the monsoon

intensification on tectonic time scales. Such climate

proxy data can then be correlated with the changing

topography in central Asia and the tectonics of the

Himalaya [2]. This project will address this issue by

reconstructing rainfall and runoff in response to the

ISM from the core monsoon region of the Bay of

Bengal (BoB).

Recently drilled continuous sedimentary successions

from the BoB (IODP Expedition 353) along with

samples from other recent expeditions (IODP 355,

346) may also be included to answer key scientific

questions. The student will reconstruct past

environmental change on tectonic times-scales,

focusing on the following parameters:

• Bulk sediment elemental composition using a

portable XRF and total terrestrial, oceanic and

organic fraction in sediments

• Changes in seawater salinity and temperature

using planktonic foraminifera (coupled δ18O and

trace element/Ca ratio) or use of organic

biomarkers (alkenones and compound specific

D/H measurements [3]) in poorly preserved

carbonate samples,

Results will be compared with published north China

Sea records to ascertain timing of the multi basin

monsoon evolution and linkage with Himalayan

tectonics or changing topography in central Asia and

with global climate.

Figure 1: Critical regions of monsoon precipitation [4].

Samples from Bay of Bengal (IODP Exp. 353) and Indus

Fan (IODP Exp. 355) are available.

MethodologyMethodologyMethodologyMethodology::::

The deep-sea mud samples will be washed and the

forams extracted, the remaining fine-grained fraction

will be collected for organic geochemistry. Two

seasonally abundant planktonic foraminiferal species

will be identified and picked which will then be

crushed and split for (a) δ18O and (b) Trace

elements/Ca (e.g., Li/Ca, Mg/Ca, Ba/Ca, Cd/Ca)

measurements. Coupled shell δ18O and trace element

data will provide data to reconstruct calcification

temperature and δ18O seawater (salinity) in response

to rainfall and runoff. The fine-grained fraction will be

processed for organic geochemistry by the student

during a 6 month laboratory visit with CENTA partners

at the University of Birmingham (co-supervisor

Bendle).

Training and skills:Training and skills:Training and skills:Training and skills:

CENTA students are required to complete 45 days

training throughout their PhD including a 10 day

placement. In the first year, students will be trained as

a single cohort on environmental science, research

methods and core skills. Throughout the PhD, training

will progress from core skills sets to master classes

specific to CENTA research themes.

Laboratory training on deep-sea sample processing,

microfossil identification and geochemical techniques

will be provided at the state of the art facilities at the

Open University. Geochemical techniques include

stable oxygen and carbon isotopes and trace element

geochemical analyses. In addition, the student will

spend 6 months at University of Birmingham receiving

specific training for collecting organic geochemistry

data. Finally monsoon intensity record will be placed

in context with tectonic and global climatic events.

Through the CENTA partnership training will be

provided in two labs. A range of analytical and

communication skills will be acquired during this

project through the following activities:

• Conducting research on newly discovered deep-sea

sediments (IODP Exp. 353 and 355) and working

with an international team

• Acquiring micropalaeontological and geochemical

analyses

• Data handling and interpretation from a wide

variety of sources

• Scientific writing, poster and oral presentations to

academic and non-academic audiences

Partners and collaborationPartners and collaborationPartners and collaborationPartners and collaboration: : : :

This project will benefit from international

collaborations and networking opportunities with

IODP 353 expedition scientists. In particular there will

be collaboration with co-chief scientists Steve

Clemens (USA) and Wolfgang Kuhnt (Germany). In

addition, there will be collaboration across CENTA.

Possible timeline:Possible timeline:Possible timeline:Possible timeline:

Year 1: Obtain training in sample processing of core

material, microfossil identification and inorganic

geochemical techniques in modern samples from the

core-location to test methods. Generate records of

temperature and salinity from sites 353 (and

additional targeted samples from expedition 355) on

tectonic time scale.

Year 2: Present results at Geochemistry Research in

Progress and prepare manuscripts. Two weeks

placement experience in an industry or public

engagement. Prepare samples for organic

geochemistry work on targeted samples based on

collected inorganic geochemical data at Birmingham.

Year 3: Finish remaining analytical work, data

analyses, present results at an international

conference and write up thesis and manuscripts.

Further reading:Further reading:Further reading:Further reading:

[1][1][1][1] Steinke, J. Groeneveld, H. Johnstone, R. Rendle-

Buhring (2010), P3, 289, 33–43. [2][2][2][2] Tada R. et al.

(2015) Prog in Earth and Planetary Sc, DOI

10.1186/s40645-016-0080-y [[[[3333]]]] Eglinton, T. I. &

Eglinton, G. EPSL 275, 1-16. (2008). [[[[4444]]]] Clift, P. D.,

Shiming W., and Jerzy B. (2014), 86-102, Earth-Science

Reviews 130.

Further Further Further Further details:details:details:details:

Students should have a strong background in Earth

sciences and enthusiasm for learning and applying

multi-proxy techniques. Experience of palaeoclimate

research is desirable. The student will join a well-

established team researching on palaeomonsoon

proxies at the Open University and Birmingham.

Please contact Pallavi Anand

(pallavi.anand@open.ac.uk) for further information.

Applications should include:

• a cover letter outlining why the project is of

interest and how their skills match those

required,

• an academic CV containing contact details of

three academic references

• a CENTA application form, downloadable

from www.centa.org.uk/media/1202/centa-

studentship-application-form.docx

• and an Open University application form,

downloadable from:

http://www.open.ac.uk/students/research/si

tes/www.open.ac.uk.students.research/files/

documents/Application%20form.docx

Apologies that some information may be requested

multiple times on different forms. Please fill in

everything requested.

Applications should be sent to

STEM-EEES-PhD-Student-Recruitment@open.ac.uk

by 5 pm on 25th January 2017