NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL ISOTOPE GEOSCIENCES ... · 1 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH...

1

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

ISOTOPE GEOSCIENCES LABORATORY

ANNUAL REPORT

for the period

1ST APRIL 2014 to 31ST MARCH 2015

Dr D J Condon, Science Director, NIGL Geochronology & Tracers Facility (NIGL-GTF) Prof M J Leng, Science Director, NIGL Stable Isotope Facility (NIGL-SIF)

23 December 2015

SERVICES & FACILITIES ANNUAL REPORT - FY April 2014 to March 2015 SERVICE FUNDING AGREEMENT ESTABLISHED as S&F TERM

NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory (NIGL)

Direct from Swindon via BGS

SLA 1987 5 years

TYPE OF SERVICE PROVIDED: Purpose NIGL is a stable and radiogenic isotope laboratory facility focusing on Environmental Change, Chronology, and Science-based Archaeology, in a collaborative research environment, including a strong focus on PhD student training. The science addressed is interdisciplinary, aligned with NERC priorities, and involves problems where isotope analysis is pivotal. NIGL serves many RAE grade 4 and 5 academic departments in the UK, and several NERC institutes, including the British Antarctic and Geological Surveys. NIGL was reviewed by SRG in January 2008 with a score of 4.75/5.0 and was renewed for 5 years until 2014. This has been extended by a further year to allow management changes to bed in between BGS and NERC for the S&F Earth Science Facilities. The Facility and its equipment and expertise NIGL comprises two nodes of analytical facilities complemented by a skilled scientific and technical staff:

Stable Isotope Facility: isotope analysis of waters, carbonates, biogenic silica, phosphates, biomass in both organic and inorganic materials for the isotopes of H, C, N, O, S, and Si by gas-source stable isotope mass spectrometry.

Radiogenic Isotope Facility: high precision U-Th-Pb dating using ID-TIMS, and in situ dating using laser-ablation and plasma ionisation mass spectrometry (PIMS); U-Series dating; high precision isotope (U, Pb, Hf, Nd, Sr) analysis of solids and solutions using both solution and laser-ablation PIMS, and TIMS.

Leading capabilities in the UK comprise: U-Th-Pb high precision (isotope dilution) and in situ (laser ablation) chronology; environmental change research using C, H, O, and Si isotopes in waters, carbonates, organic materials and biogenic silica especially in the terrestrial environment; N isotopes in gases, soils, plants, waters and ice; high precision measurement of isotopes of U in environmental materials; Hf, Sr, Nd and Pb isotopes using laser microsampling in geological and environmental materials; very high precision Hf-Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes in geological materials using either TIMS or PIMS, U-series dating for carbonate materials <450,000y, and U-Pb dating on carbonate materials of Pliocene-Quaternary age. NIGL has world-leading capabilities in several of these protocols (especially U-Th-Pb chronology applied to a broad range of geoscience topics, biogenic silica oxygen and silicon isotope analysis in palaeoclimate research, and high precision water analysis for marine waters tracing), and students receiving training are exposed to the best approaches and methods available. Analytical innovation and efficiency are ongoing goals of our development work in support of the programme, and also the concept that complex problem-solving requires multiple isotopic methods. It is the integrated laboratory philosophy that remains a very strong and unique aspect of NIGL. The NIGL operates a total of 16 mass spectrometers in addition to chemical and sample preparation laboratories. ANNUAL TARGETS AND PROGRESS TOWARDS THEM

The approved programme is comparable in resource terms to the financial allocation, demonstrating strong demand for the facility. NIGL continues to win grants and commissions that assist with co-funding of staff and equipment. All instrumentation has performed well this year partly in renovated laboratories. NIGL has continued to refine procedures for U-Pb and U-series and geochronology, with continued leadership in the EARTHTIME Initiative, and continues to work on analysis of 5-10 microgram sized (individual microfossils etc) carbonates. Publication output has continued to be strong, with 57 papers published during the calendar year of 2014, 24 published or in press by April 2015, 40 published abstracts, and 11 PhD theses completed. In total 50 PhD students (35 University-funded, 1 University CASE, 5 NERC CASE, 9 BGS-NERC BUFI), 1 BSc Students, 7 MSc Students, 1 MPhil Student, 7 University-funded Post Docs and 2 NERC Fellows received training.

SCORES AT LAST REVIEW (each out of 5) Date of Last Review: 2008

Need Uniqueness Quality of Service Quality of Science & Training Average 5.0 4.5 4.5 5.0 4.75

CAPACITY of HOST ENTITY FUNDED by S&F

Staff & Status Next Review (March)

Contract Ends

(31 March) 17 NERC BGS Staff supported c.15-80% with S&F funds

Approx. 60%

Administration-management provided by BGS BGS and commissions support PDRAs and remainder of staff not known 2015

FINANCIAL DETAILS: CURRENT FY Total Resource

Allocation £k

Unit Cost £k Capital Expend £k

Income £k

Full Cash

Cost £k Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3

1320 576 N/A N/A 13 355 1,566.17

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT (by year until end of current agreement) £k 2014-2015

1320 2015-2016 1309 2016-2017 NERC to

confirm

2017-2018 NERC to

confirm

2018-2019 NERC to

confirm

STEERING COMMITTEE Independent Members Meetings per annum Other S&F Overseen

NIGFSC 10 2 AIF, ICSF

APPLICATIONS: DISTRIBUTION OF GRADES (current FY — 2014/15)

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 R* Pilot Ungraded NERC Grant projects* 0 1 2 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 0

Other academic 1 0 2 4 0 2 2 5 3 0 0 5 3 3

Students 0 0 3 6 6 0 5 1 1 1 0 10 6 0

TOTAL 1 1 7 13 6 2 8 6 4 1 0 18 11 3 APPLICATIONS: DISTRIBUTION OF GRADES (per annum average previous 3 financial years —2011/2012, 2012/2013 &

2013/2014) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 R* Pilot Ungraded NERC Grant projects* 3 4 6 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 7 2 0

Other academic 2 7 2 9 1 3 2 1 1 2 10 9 8 0

Students 3 5 7 14 12 3 3 2 2 4 5 4 11 0

TOTAL 8 16 15 28 14 6 5 3 3 7 16 20 21 0

PROJECTS COMPLETED (current FY – 2014/15) 10 (5) 9 8 (4) 7 6 (3) 5 (2) 4 3 (1) 2 1 (β) 0

(Reject) Pilot

NERC Grant

projects* 1 14 2

Other Academic 2 4 6 2 Students 5 6 7 6

Project Funding Type (current FY – 2014/15) (select one category for each project)

Grand Total

Infrastructure PAYG

Supplement to NERC Grant * PhD Students NERC

Centre Other NERC Grant*

PhD Students NERC Centre

Other NERC Other NERC Other

125.00 20 22 44 4 35 0 0 0 0 0

Project Funding Type (per annum average previous 3 financial years - 2011/2012, 2012/2013 & 2013/2014)

Grand Total

Infrastructure PAYG

Supplement to NERC Grant * PhD Students NERC Centre Other NERC

Grant*

PhD Student NERC Centre

Other NERC Other NERC Other

106.67 12.00 30.67 34.67 4.00 25.33 0 0 0 0 0

User type (current FY – 2014/15) (include each person named on application form) Academic NERC Centre NERC Fellows PhD Students Commercial

50 4 5 66 35 User type (per annum average previous 3 financial years - 2011/2012, 2012/2013 & 2013/2014)

Academic NERC Centre NERC Fellows PhD Students Commercial 28.33 4.00 9.00 65.34 32.00

OUTPUT & PERFORMANCE MEASURES (current year) Publications (by science area & type) (calendar year 2014)

SBA ES MS AS TFS EO Polar Grand Total Refereed Non-Ref/ Conf Proc PhD Theses

9 77 5 0 15 0 2 108 57 40 11 Distribution of Projects (by science areas) (FY 2014/15)

Grand Total SBA ES MS AS TFS EO Polar 125 17.10 56.50 11.20 8.10 17.80 2.90 11.40

OUTPUT & PERFORMANCE MEASURES (per annum average previous 3 years) Publications (by science area & type) (Calendar years 2011, 2012 & 2013)

SBA ES MS AS TFS EO Polar Grand Total Refereed Non-Ref/ Conf Proc PhD Theses

12 55 8 0 25 0 3 103 74 20 9

Distribution of Projects (by science areas) (FY 2011/2012, 2012/2013 & 2013/2014) Grand Total SBA ES MS AS TFS EO Polar

106.67 13.32 55.10 8.67 4.37 14.85 3.10 7.27

Distribution of Projects by NERC strategic priority (current FY 2014/15) Grand Total

Climate System Biodiversity Earth System Science

Sustainable Use of Natural Resources

Natural Hazards Environment, Pollution &

Human Health

Technologies

125 28.75 3.20 70.60 6.85 1.85 9.35 4.40

*Either Discovery Science (Responsive Mode) or Strategic Science (Directed Programme) grants

NOTE: All metrics should be presented as whole or part of whole number NOT as a %

OVERVIEW & ACTIVITIES IN FINANCIAL YEAR (2014/15): The NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee (NIGFSC) approved 28 new projects with a mean grade of 7, together with eleven pilot projects. During the last financial year 125 projects were worked on, most of a multi-year nature, and more than 68 PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and NERC Fellows received training. U-series and U-Pb carbonate Quaternary dating capability (by LA-ICP-MS and/or ID-TIMS/PIMMS, respectively) together represent important growth areas for NIGL, while U-Pb on silicates and phosphates remains a flagship activity with international leadership. Speleothems and methane derived authigenic carbonate (MDAC) studies are the backbone of the current program, the MDAC work is currently industry supported however it is an area of interest to NERC and actively developing collaborations (UK and international) and track record. Development of LA-MC-ICP-MS analysis of U-Th in carbonates was undertaken in late 2014/early 2015 and shows promise, we are currently undertaking experiments to quantify the limits of precision for given sample size/concentration, characterisation of reference materials etc. U-Pb geochronology by ID-TIMS has focussed this year on completion of projects due to a significant approval level in the preceding years with success however capacity for this laboratory has been hampered by infrastructure failings leading to an increased requirement for repeat analyses. NIGL has continued to lead the EARTHTIME effort of improving the U-daughter chronometer, and developed a series of high purity Pb isotope solutions for the new EARLYTIME geochronology initiative in aid of the early solar system research community. These materials were supplied to a select group of labs and the first results of lab intercalibration were presented at the LPI meeting in Houston March 2015. The preparation and calibration of NERC grant-funded synthetic U-series “age” solutions were largely completed are ready for distribution to the global U series community, and a number of papers documenting this work are in progress (from in-prep to published). Development of traditional and non-traditional isotope tracers continues in response to NERC user community need (including BGS), including U and Sr isotopes as tracers of fluid-rock interatction.

Environmental change research continues to develop analytical protocols for the measurement of the major element stable isotopes in particular Si, O and N. In biogeochemical cycling these area definite growth areas. Professor Leng is now central to both the UK-ICDP membership, as well as being on the International ICDP Executive Board, and represents ICDP on the ICDP-IODP outreach initiatives. The UK involvement in ICDP projects is increasing with several workshops funded and major drilling proposals with UK (as well as NIGL/BGS) partners. Strategic applications in stable isotopes are beginning to be developed and include: research into the use of isotopes in understanding the interaction between groundwater, CO2 and methane in potential CCS/fracking lithologies; nutrient and pollution cycling using non-traditional stable isotopes; and understanding the effect of increasing atmospheric CO2 on carbon cycling in soils/lakes/oceans.

Training continues to be a priority. In addition to the hands on training for researchers involved with projects, NIGL has focussed on delivering training to a wider audience via short courses (e.g., Geochronology Short Course, January 2015) and an effort to develop online training materials, and delivers advanced training in isotope geochemistry and mass spectrometry through the Isotope Apprentice scheme (see Appendix 14).

SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS. The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum reached 40oC at the tropics? The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), ca. 56 Ma, was a major global environmental perturbation attributed to a rapid rise in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Geochemical records of tropical sea-surface temperatures from the PETM are rare and are typically affected by post-depositional diagenesis. To circumvent this issue, we have analyzed oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O) of single specimens of exceptionally well-preserved planktonic foraminifera from the PETM in Tanzania (δ19°S paleolatitude), which yield extremely low δ18O, down to <–5‰. After accounting for changes in seawater chemistry and pH, we estimate from the foraminifer δ18O that tropical SSTs rose by >3 °C during the PETM and may have exceeded 40 °C. Calcareous plankton are absent from a large part of the Tanzania PETM record; extreme environmental change may have temporarily caused foraminiferal exclusion. Aze, T., Pearson, P.N., Dickson, A.J., Badger, M.P.S., Bown, P.R., Pancost, R.D., Gibbs, S.J., Huber, B.T., Leng, M.J., Coe, A.L., Cohen, A.S., and Foster, G.L. 2014. Extreme warming of tropical waters during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum. Geology, 42. Nitrogen sources, transport and processing in urban floodplains. Urban floodplains are an important interface between developed land and the aquatic environment and may act as a source or sink for contaminants moving from urban areas towards surface water courses. With increasing pressure from urban development the functioning of floodplains is coming under greater scrutiny. A number of peri-urban sites have been found to be populated with legacy landfills which could potentially cause pollution of adjacent river bodies. Here, a peri-urban floodplain adjoining the city of Oxford, UK, with the River Thames has been investigated and repeated sampled. A nearby landfill has been found to be the source of particularly high concentrations of ammonium and generally low concentrations of nitrate and dissolved oxygen. This study of nitrogen dynamics through the use of N-species chemistry, nitrogen isotopes and dissolved nitrous oxide shows little or no denitrification in the landfill plume, and neither is the ammonium significantly retarded by sorption to the aquifer sediments. A simple model reveals that up to 15% of the ammonium loading at the study site and over the length of the reach could increase in-stream concentrations by nearly 40%. Catchment management plans that encompass floodplains in the peri-urban environment need to take into account the likely risk to groundwater and surface water quality that these environments pose. Gooddy, D.C., Macdonald, D.M.J., Lapworth, D.J., Bennett, S.A., Griffiths, K.J. 2014. Nitrogen sources, transport and processing in peri-urban floodplains, Science of the Total Environment 494-495, 28-38. Millennial-scale climate variability in East Africa. Late Cenozoic climate history in Africa was punctuated by episodes of variability, characterized by the appearance and disappearance of large freshwater lakes within the East African Rift Valley. In the Baringo-Bogoria basin, a well-dated sequence of diatomites and fluviolacustrine sediments documents the precessionally forced cycling of an extensive lake system between 2.70 Ma and 2.55 Ma. One diatomite unit was studied, using the oxygen isotope composition of diatom silica combined with X–ray fluorescence spectrometry and taxonomic assemblage changes, to explore the nature of climate variability during this interval. Data reveal a rapid onset and gradual decline of deepwater lake conditions, which exhibit millennial-scale cyclicity of 1400–1700 yr, similar to late Quaternary Dansgaard-Oeschger events. These cycles are thought to reflect enhanced precipitation coincident with increased monsoonal strength, suggesting the existence of a teleconnection between the high latitudes and East Africa during this period. Such climatic variability could have affected faunal and floral evolution at the time. Wilson, K.E., Maslin, M.A., Leng, M.J., Kingston, J.D., Deino, A.L., Edgar, R.K., Mackay, A.W. 2014. East African lake evidence for Pliocene millennial-scale climate variability. Geology. Toba-eruption drives environmental change in the Balkans. The 74 (75) ka Toba eruption in Sumatra, Indonesia, is considered to be one of the largest volcanic events during the Quaternary. Tephra from the Toba eruption has been found in many terrestrial and marine sedimentary deposits, and acidity peaks related to the eruption have been used to synchronize ice core records from Greenland and Antarctica. Seismic profiles and sedimentological data from Lake Prespa on the Balkan Peninsula, SE Europe, indicate a lake level lowstand at 73.6 ± 7.7 ka. Tephrostratigraphy, radiocarbon dating and tuning of the total organic carbon content with the NGRIP isotope record, corroborate that the lake level lowstand was a short-term event superimposed on the general cooling trend at the end of MIS 5, most likely at the onset of the Greenland Stadial GS-20. Acknowledging that tectonic events or karst processes could have triggered this lake level lowstand, the chronological correspondence between the lowstand and the Toba eruption is intriguing. Therefore a Toba-driven short-term shift to aridity in the Balkan region, leading to lake level changes and triggering spatial expansion events in one of the lake's most abundant benthic species, the carino mussel Dreissena presbensis, cannot be excluded. Wagner, B., Leng, M. J., Wilke, T., Böhm, A., Panagiotopoulos, K., Vogel, H., Lacey, J. H., Zanchetta, G., and Sulpizio, R. 2014. Distinct lake level lowstand in Lake Prespa (SE Europe) at the time of the 74 (75) ka Toba eruption, Clim. Past, 10, 261-267.

Dispersal of humans out of Africa linked to climate change. The dispersal of human populations out of Africa into Arabia was most likely linked to episodes of climatic amelioration, when increased monsoon rainfall led to the activation of drainage systems, improved freshwater availability, and the development of regional vegetation. This paper presents the first dated terrestrial record from southeast Arabia that provides evidence (including stable isotopes) for increased rainfall and the expansion of vegetation during both glacial and interglacial periods. Findings from extensive alluvial fan deposits indicate that drainage system activation occurred during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6 (ca. 160–150 ka), MIS 5 (ca. 130–75 ka), and during early MIS 3 (ca. 55 ka). The development of active freshwater systems during these periods corresponds with monsoon intensity increases during insolation maxima, suggesting that humid periods in Arabia were not confined to eccentricity-paced deglaciations, and providing paleoenvironmental support for multiple windows of opportunity for dispersal out of Africa during the late Pleistocene. Parton, A., Farrant, A.R., Leng, M.J., Telfer, M., Groucutt, H., Petraglia, M.D., Parker, A.G. 2015. Alluvial fan records from southeast Arabia reveal multiple windows for human dispersal. Geology doi:10.1130/G36401.1. U-Pb geochronology of globally significant Ediacaran deep-water fossil assemblages. This work is the culmination of two NIGFC projects. The study contributes new geochronology constraints on a globally significant Ediacaran macrobiota. High-precision ages show that the relatively high-diversity biotas in the upper parts of the deep water settings exposed in Charnwood, one of only two such settings worldwide that preserve a deep ocean record of early macroscopic multicellular life on Earth, date from between 569.1 ± 0.9 Ma to 561.85 ± 0.34 Ma. Together these new data permit comparison of Charnwood with the other key Ediacaran macrofossil sites in Canada and Russia and allowed us to conclude a primary role for ecological sensitivity in determining the composition of these critical, late Neoproterozoic communities. Noble, S.R., Condon, D.J., Carney, J.N., Wilby, P.R., Pharaoh, T.C., and Ford, T.D., 2015. U-Pb geochronology and global context of the Charnian Supergroup, UK: Constraints on the age of key Ediacaran fossil assemblages. GSA Bulletin 127, 250-265, doi: 10.1130/B3103.1 Dating global C-cycle perturbations prior to Snowball Earth. This NIGFSC and US NSF funded work develops new physical stratigraphic data and high-precision U-Pb dates from intercalated tuffs lead to a new stratigraphic framework for the Tambien Group that confirms identification of negative δ13C values from Assem Formation limestones with the ca. 800 Ma Bitter Springs carbon isotope stage. Integration with data from the Fifteenmile Group of northwestern Canada constitutes a positive test for the global synchroneity of the Bitter Spring Stage and constrains the stage to have started after 811.51 ± 0.25 Ma and to have ended before 788.72 ± 0.24 Ma. These new temporal constraints strengthen the case for interpreting Neoproterozoic carbon isotope variation as a record of large-scale changes to the carbon cycle and provide a framework for age models of paleogeographic change, geochemical cycling, and environmental evolution during the radiation of early eukaryotes. Swanson-Hysell. N., Maloof, A., Condon, D.J., Jenkin, G.R.T., Alene, M., Tremblay, M.M., Tesema, T., Rooney, A.D., Haileab, B. (2015) Stratigraphy and geochronology of the Tambien Group, Ethiopia: Evidence for globally synchronous carbon isotope change in the Neoproterozoic. Geology, DOI:10.1130/G36347.1 From continent to intra-oceanic arc: the crustal evolution of the Solomon island arc from xenocrystic zircon. The first U-Pb ages from a ca. 26-24 Ma pluton on Guadalcanal, in the intra-oceanic Solomon island arc (southwest Pacific Ocean), reveal Eocene- to Archean-aged zircon xenocrysts. The data demonstrate that continentally derived zircons may be transported thousands of kilometers from their source and added to intra-oceanic arc magmas, a process likely facilitated by cyclical subduction zone advance and retreat. The findings highlight the continuum of arcs that occurs between continental and oceanic end members, and the caution with which zircons should be used to determine the provenance and setting of ancient arc terranes accreted to the continental crust. Tapster, S., Roberts, N.M.W., Petterson, M.G., and J. Naden, J. (2015), From continent to intra-oceanic arc: Zircon xenocrysts record the crustal evolution of the Solomon island arc, Geology, DOI:10.1130/G36033.1 Petrochronology used to deconvolve Himalayan evolution Two papers have been published as a result of a NIGFSC supported PhD research by Catherine Mottram (Open University) which use a combination of U-Th-Pb geochronology combined with isotope and elemental data to constrain the structural and thermal evolution of key structures within the Himalayan orogen. In-situ LA-ICP-MS U–Th–Pb monazite ages, linked to pressure–temperature conditions via trace-element reaction fingerprints, allow key aspects of the evolution of the thrust zone to be understood for the first time. The ages show that peak metamorphic conditions were reached earliest in the structurally highest part of the inverted metamorphic sequence, in the Greater Himalayan Sequence in the hanging wall of the Main Central Thrust. Mottram, C. M., C. J. Warren, D. Regis, N. M. W. Roberts, N. B. W. Harris, T. W. Argles, and R. R. Parrish (2014), Developing an inverted Barrovian sequence; insights from monazite petrochronology, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 403, 418-431. Mottram, C. M., T. W. Argles, N. B. W. Harris, R. R. Parrish, M. S. A. Horstwood, C. J. Warren, and S. Gupta (2014), Tectonic interleaving along the Main Central Thrust, Sikkim Himalaya, Journal of the Geological Society, 171(2), 255-268.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS/STRATEGIC FORWARD LOOK The stable isotope programme continues to focus on the environment, in particular climate change with increasing importance on the anthropocene and the modern calibration period. Using stable isotopes as tracers in modern pollution studies and the hydrological cycle is becoming a more critical issue with enhanced emphasis on mans' impact on the environment, resource security and environment and health. Strategic applications in stable isotopes will be/are being developed and include: research into the use of stable isotopes in understanding the interaction between groundwater, CO2 and methane in potential CCS/fracking lithologies; nutrient and pollution cycling using non-traditional stable isotopes; and understanding the effect of increasing atmospheric CO2 on carbon cycling in soils/lakes/oceans. Developing methodologies around the use of biogenic silica in environmental change and biogeochemical cycling is still a priority given the International leadership NIGL has in this area.

The Geochronology and isotope Tracers programme will continue to have a breadth of geoscience and environmental applications, ranging from the chronology of planet formation to using isotope tracer and chronology to inform CCS and other fluid-rock interaction topics (radio-active waste, unconventional hydrocarbons). Both high-precision/accuracy ID-TIMS and high-spatial resolution LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology demand is continuing in a wide variety of fields, from planetary evolution to fluid-rock interaction and recent environmental change. Conventional applications still represent a major demand, especially where early stage researcher training is included. Recent efforts have seen an increase in demand in the following areas: mineralisation, with a number of projects related to Cu porphyry systems underway and industry commission research in the pipeline; detrital minerals as tracers of landscape evolution; and using geochronology to constrain records of ‘Earth System’ evolution. The latter is the focus of a major international initiative (with interest from NASA, US and Chinese NSFs) and NIGL currently play a lead role supporting the interests of the strong UK based Precambrian research community. Evolving demands in geo- and environmental sciences for chronology and isotope tracers for a number of non-traditional applications will see efforts focussed towards a number of these topics, particularly CCS, unconventional hydrocarbon plays (hydrates, shale gas) with a focus on the combined use of chronology (U-Th and U-Pb carbonate dating) and isotope tracers (stable U, Sr, Mg, Si) is being applied to a number of pilot studies. This currently supported by some industry commission research in collaboration with NGU, and the USGS. Another major foci of technique development and application is in the field of environmental radioactivity. Recent collaboration with Loughborough will continue to develop and apply LA-ICP-MS methods to produce isotope analysis, including the minor isotopes 234U and 236U, on ~1µm UOx particles, highly relevant to the nuclear forensics international community.

Training will continue to be a top priority (see Appendix 14). The established programme of isotope apprenticeships will continue to provide hands on training for appropriately motivated candidates wishing to pursue a career in some aspect of mass spectrometry, and we anticipate that effort to be oversubscribed. During 2015 NIGL will contribute to a NIGF training strategy document, contribute to planned short courses (e.g., nuts and bolts of mass spectrometry, GW4+ DTP, May 2015) and develop online training materials. NIGL staff continue to play a lead role in international workshops (2x workshops at Goldschmidt 2015 with NIGL staff co-convening)) and invited speakers (e.g., Goldschmidt 2015), and a continued contribution to peer-reviewed journal articles is expected to continue

Non-Mandatory Facility-specific OPMs: utilisation, allocation of capacity etc

See Attached Annexes.

1

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

ISOTOPE GEOSCIENCES LABORATORY

ANNUAL REPORT

for the period

1ST APRIL 2014 to 31ST MARCH 2015

Dr D J Condon, Science Director, NIGL Geochronology & Tracers Facility (NIGL-GTF) Prof M J Leng, Science Director, NIGL Stable Isotope Facility (NIGL-SIF)

23 December 2015

NERC/IF/371 Contents

Annex 1 Mission Statement ................................................................................................................... 3

Annex 2 Steering Committee Membership and Terms of Reference..................................................... 4

2.1 Steering Committee Membership and Fields of Expertise ....................................................... 4

2.2 Remit ........................................................................................................................................ 5

2.3 Terms of Reference for the NIGFSC ......................................................................................... 5

2.4 Membership constraints .......................................................................................................... 5

Annex 3 Equipment Inventory ................................................................................................................ 6

Annex 4 Future Developments ............................................................................................................... 8

Annex 5 Summary of Performance Information .................................................................................... 10

5.1 NIGFSC Applications received 2013-14 .................................................................................... 10

5.2 NIGFSC Applications supported expressed as a % of α grade science ..................................... 13

5.3 Distribution of supported α grade projects by Science Areas .................................................. 14

5.4 Distribution of supported α grade projects related to Categories ........................................... 14

5.5 Distribution of supported α grade projects related to Science Priority Areas ......................... 14

Annex 6 Publications .............................................................................................................................. 17

6.1 Journal Articles and Book Chapters – Calendar Year 2014 ....................................................... 17

6.2 Journal Articles and Book Chapters – published 2014, or in press ........................................... 22

6.3 Conference Proceedings, Calendar Year 2014 ......................................................................... 23

6.4 PhD theses awarded ................................................................................................................. 25

Annex 7 Targets & Milestones ............................................................................................................... 26

7.1 Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry .......................................................................................... 26

7.2 Plasma- and Thermal-Ionisation (Radiogenic and Stable Isotope) Mass Spectrometry ........... 27

Annex 8 Finance ..................................................................................................................................... 31

Annex 9 Service Management ................................................................................................................ 32

Annex 10 OPMs not covered elsewhere (Incomplete) ............................................................................. 34

Annex 11 Projects supported ................................................................................................................... 36

Annex 12 Visiting Scientists and Students ................................................................................................ 42

Annex 13 Training ..................................................................................................................................... 46

Annex 14 Method Development .............................................................................................................. 47

Annex 15 Infrastructure issues ................................................................................................................. 49

Annex 16 Pilot Projects............................................................................................................................. 50

3

Annex 1: Mission Statement 2014-15

To provide isotopic analysis and scientific support, through collaborative research endeavours, to scientists within the UK academic community in line with NERC's policy on improving quality of life and wealth creation;

To provide isotopic analysis and scientific support to NERC institutes engaged in science budget or commissioned research and allied activities;

To provide training in isotope analysis and interpretation techniques to postgraduate students at UK universities and other institutions of higher learning;

To promote awareness of the application of appropriate isotope systems to the earth and environmental science community;

Within a collaborative research environment, to make NIGL facilities and training in their use available to NERC institute staff and UK academics (including their research personnel), to undertake their own analytical work for their research programme;

To undertake research and development into the application of isotopic analytical techniques to the earth and environmental sciences in order to provide state of the art methods and to meet evolving requirements of NERC user communities.

In order to achieve its objectives NIGL will:

Monitor user satisfaction on a regular basis;

Maintain its equipment and monitor its performance using Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures;

Work with HEI and NERC Institute colleagues to promote only the best science, through development of projects aimed at peer review via the NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee;

Maintain relevant technical and scientific documentation and make it available to visiting scientists;

Maintain a high professional level of staff, including, when appropriate, the initiation of research by NIGL staff in the framework described above;

Inform the users' community of development in methodologies and applications and maintain an awareness of the users' requirements;

Disseminate such information to the scientific community via publications, conference presentations, seminars, etc.;

Seek commissioned research to supplement the Science Budget allocation.

User Communities:

The NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory exists to provide specialised research facilities for earth and environmental scientists in NERC institutes and the UK Higher Education sector. The research of the facility is relevant to the sustainable development, the educational sector, and the wider governmental and industrial community concerned with the implications of climate change and natural resource issues.

Annex 2: Steering Committee membership and Terms of Reference 2014-15

2.1 Steering Committee Membership and Fields of Expertise

Chairman: Dr C Macpherson Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Durham. Field of expertise: Stable isotopes in high-temperature systems, magmatic geochemistry.

Members: Prof S Bottrell School of Earth and Environment, Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds. Field of expertise: Stable isotopes in: surface and groundwaters; soils; wetlands; marine and coastal

sediments; ore deposits.

Dr S Hanshaw Strategy and Development, Arts & Humanity Research Council, Swindon Field of expertise: Landscape and environmental archaeology, the archaeology of Scotland and the North

Atlantic Rim, particularly the early prehistoric and early Medieval periods, and community archaeology.

Dr A Henderson School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne. Field of expertise: Palaeoclimatology, lake and marine environments, stable isotopes in carbonates, diatoms

and organic matter.

Prof J Lee-Thorp Research Laboratory for Archaeology, University of Oxford, Oxford. Field of expertise: Archaeological science, stable isotopes in terrestrial (palaeo)environments.

Dr A Mackay Department of Earth Geography, University College London, London. Field of expertise: Palaeolimnology, terrestrial environments, lakes, diatoms.

Prof D Mattey Department of Earth Sciences, University of London, Egham. Field of expertise: Isotope geochemistry, stable isotope methodologies, chemical proxies and palaeoclimate

reconstruction, cave sand karst science.

Dr J Pike School of Earth & Ocean Sciences, University of Cardiff, Cardiff. Field of expertise: Palaeoceanography, marine environments, stable isotopes in diatoms

Dr T Prave Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews Field of expertise: Field geology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, application of isotopic

methodologies to solving problems in Earth history.

Dr M Whitehouse Nordsim Laboratory, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm. Field of expertise: Radiogenic isotope geochemistry in crustal evolution; geochronology; in situ SIMS

applications

Ex-officio: Prof A Boyce Manager, Isotope Community Support Facility, Scottish Universities Environmental

Research Centre, East Kilbride, Glasgow.

Dr D J Condon Science Director, NIGL Geochronology & Tracers Facility, NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham.

Dr A Gardner Manager, ES Facilities Management Team, British Geological Survey, Keyworth.

Prof M J Leng Science Director, NIGL Stable Isotope Facility, NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham.

Prof R R Parrish Director, NERC Isotope Geoscience Services & Facilities (NIGSF), British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham.

Dr D Mark Head, Argon Isotope Facility, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride, Glasgow.

Secretary: Dr I L Millar NIGL Geochronology & Tracers Facility, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham.

Administration: Mrs B I Bullock-von Moos NIGL, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham.

2.2 Remit

The NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee exists to:

review applications for usage of the NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory (NIGL-GTF & NIGL-SIF), the Argon Isotope Facility (AIF) and the Isotope Community Support Facility (ICSF), and for usage of the Cosmogenic Isotope Analysis Facility (CIAF) via the CIAF sub-committee.

monitor outputs from the four Facilities;

provide advice to BGS Director and NERC Director of Science on aspects of the operations of the Facilities.

BGS Director and NERC Director of Science, in turn, provide advice to the NERC executive on Services and Facilities relevant to their remit.

2.3 Terms of Reference for the NIGFSC

1. To review applications and establish priorities for the Heads of the Facilities, for the allocation of the facilities' resources funded from the Services and Facilities Science Budget, taking into account recommendations made through the NERC peer-review mechanisms.

2. To review the scientific quality of work undertaken by users of the Facilities, based on reports and publications.

3. To analyse the user-bases of Facilities and monitor the levels of user-satisfaction

4. To give guidance to the Heads of Facility on improving facility infrastructure and service.

5. To receive and comment upon the annual report from each Head of Facility, before it is submitted to NERC Swindon Office. To report annually to the BGS Director and NERC Director of Science and to provide advice at other times as appropriate.

6. To advise BGS Director and NERC Director of Science on:

a. the level and direction of the internal R&D programme for the Facility;

b. anticipated changes in requirements from the Facility and the consequential anticipated levels of future demand for the Facility;

c. other matters as appropriate.

2.4 Membership constraints

Membership of the Committee will be decided by the head of Earth Science (ES) Services and Facilities at BGS with any advice and suggestions from the Committee itself. It will include the Superintending Officers of the Facilities and a representative from the ES Facilities Management Team at BGS.

Members, other than ex-officio members will be invited to serve for a term of up to four years with a maximum extension of a further two years. The Chairperson will serve a maximum of four years.

6

Annex 3: Equipment Inventory 2014-15

Date Item Manufacturer Asset No Cost £

Extraction Lines

1989 Extraction lines, fluorination, for silicate O and Si NIGL 7838 90,000

1990 Extraction line, carbonate NIGL 11231 7,000

1990 Extraction line, vacuum (was nitrogen) NIGL 11233 10,000

1991 Extraction line, vacuum, mini NIGL 11234 11,000

Laboratory Equipment

1995 Centrifuge (Megafuge 1.0) Heraeus 4474 3,917

2001 Gds style panel HAC Technical Gas Not

Received 2,097

2001 Fume extraction Dustraction Ltd 111240 3,019

2001 Gas cabinet and manifold BOC 109782 6,078

2003 Water pretreatment system (Elix) Millipore 114723 21,013

2003 Still Picotrace 114014 12,796

2003 Induction generator Stanelco 114427 13,037

2007 CEM MARSXpress microwave CEM 118314 14,497

2007 Micromill New Wave 118639 23,913

2008 Elemental analyser ECS4010 Costech 119782 24,969

2008 Plasma Asher K1050X Emitech 119575 15,381

Laser Systems

1989 Microscope Leica 7843 14,000

1994 Laser (CO2 laser 10) Synrad 11239 10,000

2005 Laser ablation system 193nm UV (UP193 SS) New Wave 116626 117,500

2009 Laser ablation system 193nm UV (UP193 FX) New Wave 121473 167,000

2014 Laser ablation system 193nm UV (NWR193UC) New Wave 186212 155,000

Mass Spectrometer Peripherals

1989 Isoprep 18 upgrade VG 11226 80,000

1995 Turbomolecular pump Balzers 7722 5,251

2000 Desolvating nebulizer (Aridus) Cetec 107240 14,256

2007 Liquid autosampler HT300A Eurovector 118515 6,404

2008 Desolvating Nebuliser DSN/100 Nu Instruments 120277 7,990

2013 APEX Nebuliser ESI 173510 11,040

2014 Desolvating Nebuliser (Aridus II) Cetac 186551 12,000

Mass Spectrometers

1987 Mass Spectrometer, stable isotope, Sira 10 VG 11230 100,000

1990 Mass Spectrometer, thermal ionisation (MAT262) Finnigan Mat 392 350,000

1993 Mass Spectrometer, stable isotope (Optima) + Manifold VG 750 136,770

1993 Mass Spectrometer, stable isotope (Optima) + EA/IsoCARB VG 751 162,495

2001 Mass Spectrometer, stable isotope (Delta Plus+Conflo+Flash EA+TC/EA)

Thermo-Finnigan 110760 107,891

2002 Mass Spectrometer, stable isotope (Dual inlet Isoprime with Multiprep)

GV Instruments 113732 172,725

2003 Mass Spectrometer, upgrade to MAT262 Spectromat 392 41,088

2003 Mass Spectrometer, thermal ionisation (Triton) Thermo-Finnigan 115000 414,000

2004 Mass Spectrometer, stable isotope (MAT253) Finnigan Mat 115911 221,785

2005 Mass Spectrometer, thermal ionisation (Triton) Thermo-Electron 116592 395,102

2005 Mass Spectrometer, multicollector ICP (Nu Plasma) Nu Instruments 116182 326,062

2007 Mass Spectrometer, stable isotope (Isoprime + Europyroh + Ref gas box)

GVI 113132 96,548

2008 Mass Spectrometer, single collector sector field (ATTOM) NU Instruments 116182 191,525

2010 Mass Spectrometer, multi collector ICP-MS, NEPTUNE+ Thermo-Electron 124650 550,000

2011 Mass Spectrometer, stable isotope (Multiprep + Megatray + multiple collectors for clumped isotopes)

IsoPrime 152533 250,000

2014 Mass Spectrometer, stable isotope (Dual inlet Isoprime with Multiprep)

GVI 176233 158,613

Microbalances

1992 Microbalance with remote weighing chamber Cahn Instruments 7841 8,500

1992 Microbalance (M5P) Sartorius 575 7,481

2001 Microbalance Progen Scientific 109420 7,667

2004 Microbalance (CP2P) Sartorius 115093 7,344

2007 Microbalance (M2P) Sartorius 04693 &

30024 8,000

2008 Microbalance, Sartorius CPAZP Sartorius 120214 8,043

Microscopes

1990 Petrographic microscope Leica 7840 5,000

1991 Binocular microscope (SMZ-10) Nikon 417 3,854

1997 Binocular microscope (SMZ-U) Nikon 11723 5,463

1997 Binocular microscope (SMZ-U) Nikon 12262 5,463

2002 Petrographic microscope/digital camera (Eclipse) Nikon 111540 15,653



2009 Inverted binocular microscope + micromanipulator Zeiss 121453 22,000

Miscellaneous

2003 Autosampler, zero-blank (Costech) Pelican Scientific 110760 5,630

2003 Lens stack and sample turret for Triton MS Thermo-Finnigan 392 10,904

2009 Chiller (Intercooler 2p/2s) Polyscience Pending 6,750

Sample Preparation

1989 Magnetic separator (Magnetic barrier separator) Frantz 11242 3,500

1989 Magnetic Separator (Magstream) Intermagnetics 7844 22,900

1989 Disk mill Fritsch 11244 3,000

2013 Diamond Wire Saw Well Pending 29,309

1991 Mineral separation table (Gemini) Gisco 7845 4,400

1997 Mortar, tungsten carbide Torrington 11340 3,895

2003 Freezer mill Spex 114015 11,883

2004 Jaw Crusher (Pulverisette Model II) Fritsch 114763 8,762

2004 Freeze drier (Alpha 1-4) Christ 115707 8,135

2012 Freeze drier (Alpha 1-4LD+)

Annex 4: Future Developments 2014-15

The 2014-15 year was the sixth year of NIGL’s current 5 year funding term, which was renewed in 2009. Capabilities still cover three main science areas: environmental change; geochronology and tracers; and science-based archaeology. Stable isotope capabilities have continued to develop, particularly in the fields of biogenic silica isotopes and biogeochemical cycling and their application to environmental research. The chronology capability has continued to develop U-series and Quaternary U-Pb dating techniques, with combined isotope dilution and laser ablation methodologies becoming a particularly important development area. Training of both students and research fellows has always been at the core of NIGL’s remit and we continue to develop this through the apprenticeship scheme, short courses and other training materials. Demand for isotope support remains very strong. Below are more details on future developments. Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry

Five areas are being targeted for future growth: (1). Develop research into the use of isotopes in understanding the interaction between groundwater, CO2 and methane in potential CCS/Fracking lithologies. Establishing natural baselines as well as using isotopes to inform on origins and reactions of the gases. This will require capital and staff investment. (2) Understanding the effect of increasing atmospheric CO2 on carbon cycling in soils/lakes/oceans. Target large wetland areas (i.e. in Panama) and use isotopes to understand the current carbon cycling (source/sink) and differences in the past under different climates (characterise global scale wetlands with remote sensing). This will require capital investment. (3) Nutrient and pollution cycling using non-traditional stable isotopes. In particular to develop the use of: a) phosphate oxygen isotopes in understanding provenance and flow paths of anthropogenic phosphates; b) selenium and selenate-oxygen isotopes in studies of toxicity and agricultural deficiency in developing countries; and c) iron isotopes in studies of its micronutrient effect in Polar regions, and its redox-related controls on the mobilisation of phosphate and selenate. Requires method development in association with Geochronology and Tracers Facility. (4) Continue to develop the science and measurement of biogenic silica, oxygen and silicon in the Polar regions as proxies for ice-cap melting, freshwater influx into the oceans, reorganisation of ocean currents and changes in the ocean productivity. Nearly a decade has been spent developing international status in the biogenic silica isotopes but there are still method development issues around silica maturation and condensation, post mortem exchange, vital effects. (5) Science-based Archaeology. Broaden the range of isotopes to include hydrogen isotopes which provide environmental, migration, and diet information from organic materials (bone collagen, hair, feathers, nails). With fewer physiological/metabolic processes influencing hydrogen isotopes, they are a useful adjunct to oxygen isotopes. Requires capital investment.

Geochronology and Tracers node

(1) Mineral deposit geochronology and isotope geochemistry is an area of increasing, and overlapping, academic, research centre, and industry interest and an area where geochronology and tracer isotopes provide important constraint. NIGL has developed collaboration with a number of UK and international groups and this is a growing area of application. In addition to NIGFSC support (mainly related to PhD research) future work will be supported by industry (two BHP centres of excellence are awaiting budget approval) and NERC (SOS standard grant starting 2015). One area for future work is increased collaboration with AIF and ICSF through increased number of joint projects; (2) Stratigraphic records of biologic and environmental change. This is a long-standing area of expertise with sustained requirement from the UK user community with interest in timescales from the Holocene to the Paleoproterozoic. In conjunction with our EARTHTIME work the application of U-Pb and U-Th geochronology to the stratigraphic record is an area of continued international leadership; (3) Sea-floor geochronology and tracers is a recently developed application area for NIGL GTF but rapidly growing. This science area is focussed on the chronology of sea-floor deposits that can be dated by U-Th methods (e.g., deep water corals and methane derived authigenic carbonates, MDACs). An issue with such projects is access to samples and we are working with partners in Norway and the US to build collaboration and access to unique sample sets, and to include other UK interested parties. (4) Tectonics and Crustal evolution is an ongoing research topic with strong UK leadership. Future projects in this area will continue to provide excellent student training opportunities and are increasingly connected to mineral systems research (see above), basin evolution or geomorphic evolution; (5) Planetary evolution. This is a minor area in terms of number of samples but is required to support UK researchers engaged in early Solar System research. NIGL are co-leading standardisation experiments for U-Pb dating of meteorites and a NERC funded student (with Bristol University and NHM) start autumn 2015; (6) EARTHTIME leadership. NIGL continues to drive the EARTHTIME Initiative in its broadest sense, leading efforts for calibration, standardisation and development of best practices for the U-Th-Pb systems, working with a number of other internationally leading geochronology

facilities. Future efforts are expected to include quantitative integration of the U-Pb system with Re-Os and 40Ar/39Ar systems. (7) Environmental uranium research will be a key focus in 2015-16 with one of NIGL-GTF’s new DTP projects (Read, Loughborough Uni) characterising the fate of the UK’s stockpile of low-level radioactive waste after disposal, contuneing development of LA-ICP-MS techniques for tracing uranium in the environment. DU research will continue in collaboration with Randy Parrish. (8) Environmental change research continues with projects focussed on Si isotope analysis of seawater and investigating the role of mangrove swamps in Si cycling, in conjunction with NIGL-SIF. (9) Environmental Tracers. This work will

continue to develop through the use of isotope tracers for biospheric mapping using contemporary and historic

samples. BGS interests in environmental monitoring associated will see an increased development in this area

although the amount of NIGFSC overlaps is unknown.

Training

NIGL will continue to focus on high-quality training of early stage researchers through a variety of mechanisms. A proven effective approach is through supervision of PhD students for part of their research which requires the isotope and analytical expertise at NIGL. Five new NERC DTP PhD studentships will commence working with GTF in autumn 2015 with Parkinson (Bristol Uni) and Elliot (Bristol Uni) to investigate extraterrestrial and early earth chronology, with Warren (Open Uni) to research isotope geochemistry to Miocene lower crustal chemistry, with Read (Loughborough) to characterise naturally occurring radioactive materials, Hastie (Birmingham Uni) to investigate the role of oceanic plateaus in early continental growth. Two industry funded research studentships will also commence autumn 2015 with Blundy (Bristol Uni) and Cooper (Bristol Uni) to research different aspects of the development of Cu-porphry systems.

Opportunities for hands on advanced training in isotope systems and mass spectrometry will continue via the isotope apprenticeship programme in 2015-2016. All posts are currently filled however we expect to recruit during FY 15-16 and are currently exploring different options (i.e., intra- or post-doctoral).

In addition to these ‘hands on’ experiences NIGL contributes to a series of supporting short courses and other training materials and this will be further developed in 15-16 (see Annex 14). Following on from the November 2014 NIGFSC discussion NIGL staff will continue to work with NIGF and HEI based partners to develop a semi-coordinated strategy for isotope geochemistry training related to NERC DTPs.

Staff issues

Dr Noah McLean’s NERC-funded postdoctoral fellowship to develop U-Th “age” solutions finished in August 2014. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas.

Dr Virginia Panizzo’s NERC-funded postdoctoral fellowship (at University of Nottingham) to investigate Si isotope variations in Lake Baikal, Siberia, and the impact of climate change and anthropogenic effects on this delicate ecosystem ended in March 2015.

Dr Virginia Panizzo started her 3 year University of Nottingham –NIGL based Anne-MacLaren Fellowship to investigate Si cycling in Asian wetlands on 1st April 2015.

Dr Diana Sahy supported by a commercial contract will complete her Isotope Apprenticeship to carry out U-Th work in October 2015.

Dr Christopher Spencer will prematurely end his Isotope Apprentice post at the end of May 2015 due to his successful employment as Research Fellow at the Curtin University in Perth, Australia.

Dr Simon Tapster will continue his Isotope Apprenticeship until November 2015. His expertise in mineral systems geochronology is having a positive impact on the GTF programme.

Dr Jonathan Dean ended his Isotope Apprentice post in February 2015 due to his employment as a PDRA on a NERC Standard Grant within SIF. His research will form part of an international collaborative investigation into the reconstruction of climate change over the last million years in Ethiopia which is expected to be completed in February 2017.

Dr Andi Smith was hired as the SIF Isotope Apprentice in January 2015 for a period of 2 years. Andi’s research focus is on speleothems in particular in the Northern Spain.

Dr Tim Heaton will retire from SIF in May 2015 and has been awarded Honorary Research Associate status for the next two years.

Dr Sarah Bennett resigned from SIF in April 2015 to start a new role as a Laboratory Manager in Biology at the University of Warwick.

Prof Randall Parrish left NIGL in May 2014 to engage in his new role as Director to NERC S&F where he will be in charge of all NERC Geoscience Steering Committees.

Dr Daniel Condon (Head of Chronology Research) has been appointed as Science Director to NIGL-GTF in May 2014. He also has a BGS responsibility for developing the Strategic Research programme (~20%).

Dr Angela Lamb was promoted to a Band 5 Research Scientist in September 2014. She will continue to lead the stable isotope part of Science-based Archaeology within NIGL.

Annex 5: Summary of Performance Information 2014-15

5.1 NIGFSC Applications received

NIGFSC No

PI Name Institution Title Funding Source Awarded Grade

IP-1422-0514

Dr D Gooddy

British Geological Survey - Wallingford

The phosphate oxygen isotope (δ18OPO4) composition of mains tap water - developing a tool for fingerprinting environmental phosphate sources

NERC Institute Academic

R*

IP-1423-0514

Dr M Ponting

University of Liverpool

Linking Ore to Metal : A geochemical and isotopic investigation of the Great Orme Bronze Age copper mines and the implications for metal supply and exchange networks

Self-funded PhD Student

4

IP-1424-0514

Dr R Brienen

University of Leeds

Is the hydrological cycle of the Amazon changing? An isotopic tree ring study

NERC Fellowship NE/I021160/1

8

IP-1425-0514

Dr L Thomas

British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge

Reconstructing wind strength and atmospheric circulation in West Antarctica over the past 300 years

NERC Grant NE/J020710/1

7

IP-1427-0514

Prof M J Leng

University of Nottingham

The effects of differential dissolution on the O isotope composition of diatom silica


Ungraded

IP-1428-0514

Dr H O'Regan


Fungus: a forgotton palaeodietary component

University Academic

3

IP-1430-0514

Prof J Hooke


Spatial and temporal variability of landscape response to climate change in a sensitive region of South Africa.

NERC Studentship NE/J50015X/1

4

IP-1431-0514

Dr R J Walker

University of Leicester

Fluid source, and U-Pb geochronology of fault-hosted calcite mineralisation in the Faroe Islands

University Academic

R*

IP-1432-0514

Prof H Downes

Birkbeck College, University of London

Determining the impact of a major structural change on an oceanic island's magma supply system - a study on the Canary island of La Palma of suites of lava flows before and after a lateral collapse

University Academic / GTA post

R*

IP-1433-0514

Dr Y Najman

Lancaster University

Exhumation of the Eastern Himalayan syntaxis

University Studentship EU FP7 ITN

R*

IP-1434-0514

Dr C Warren

Open University Crustal melting and the geodynamic evolution of mountain belts

NERC Studentship NE/K501074/1

7

IP-1435-0514

Prof J Murray Roberts

University of Edinburgh

N Atlantic High-Resolution Environmental Change Records and Cold-Water Coral Vulnerability

NERC Grant NE/J021121/1 and NERC Grant NE/H017305/1

4

IP-1436-0514

Dr W E N Austin

University of St Andrews

A long-term perspective on the cycling and storage of carbon in Scottish coastal waters (from source to sink)

NERC Studentship NE/L501852 /1 , U of St Andrews 6th-century scholarship

1

IP-1437-0514

Prof M J Leng


Determining if changes in the position of the Southern Westerly Wind belt impact the South Georgia marine ecosystem


Un- graded

IP-1439-0514

Dr P Wynn Lancaster University

Speleothem climate capture of Heinrich cooling throughout MIS 2-3

University Academic / NERC DTP awarded but not yet in place

7

IP-1440-0514

Prof L Barham


Pleistocene humans and the 'Lost Great Lake of Africa'

University Academic / Nat. Geog. Society GEFNE38-12GS

8

IP-1441-0514

Prof M J Bickle

University of Cambridge

U-Series constraints on episodic fault-related degassing of a natural CO2 system: implications for geological carbon storage

NERC Studentship NE/F004699/1 and BUFI

8

IP-1442-0514

Dr M Jones


A new way of life? The earliest farming communities of highland SW Iran

University Academic

Pilot

IP-1443-0514

Prof N Sykes


Dama International: Fallow Deer and European Society 6000 BC - AD 1600

University Academic / AHRC AH/1026456/1

2

IP-1444-0514

Dr C Warren

Open University From subduction to sand: Quantifying the evolving balance between tectonic and surface processes during UHP exhumation and early orogenesis

NERC Fellowship NE/H016279/1

R*

IP-1446-0514

Dr E Horni-brook

University of Bristol

Stable isotope tracing of methane sources in UK groundwater

University Studentship BGS / University of Bristol

R*

IP-1447-0514

Dr A Bogaard

University of Oxford

A multi-isotope approach to animal management and mobility at Neolithic Makriyalos and Koufovouno, Greece

University Academic / Clarendon Scholarship and European Research Council (312785)

Pilot

IP-1450-0514

Dr L F Robinson

Cardiff University

Reconstructing abrupt Changes in Chemistry and Circulation of the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean: Implications for global Climate and deep-water Habitats (CACH)

University Academic / European Research Council

7

IP-1451-0514

Dr S Bennett


Method development for the determination of δ18O values in selenate (SeO42-) and their fractionation during redox and non-redox processes


Un-graded

IP-1452-0514

Dr A Tye British Geological Survey - Keyworth

The extent of isotopic fractionation of Cu and Pb in colloids produced under sulphate-reducing conditions


2

IP-1453-0514

Prof P Cawood


Origin, Character and Significance of Mozambique Belt, Malawi

University Studentship

6

IP-1454-0514

Dr P Anand Open University Depth migration of planktonic foraminifera in response to hydrographic perturbation (linked to Understanding the Impact of Recent Ocean Acidification on Bio-Calcification, NE/I019891/1)

NERC Grant NE/J020710/1

R*

IP-1455-0514

Prof P Cawood


Zircon and its isotopic systems during intracrustal differentiation

University of St Andrews - 600th anniversary PhD scholarship

4

IP-1456-0514

Dr J Mont-gomery

University of Durham

Finding and defining radiogenic Sr-isotope biospheres: can a British home be found for people with high 87Sr/86Sr?

NERC Studentship NE/L501724/1

8

IP-1457-0514

Dr J Smith University of Exeter, Penryn Campus

Investigating the influence of El Niño-Southern Oscillation and Southern Annular Mode activity on theclimate patterns of the South Orkney Islands using a d18Odiatom isotope record

NERC Studentship NE/K50094X/1

R*

IP-1458-0514

Dr J Andersen

University of Exeter, Penryn Campus

Testing the orogenic gold crustal continuum model in a granulite facies-hosted gold deposit, Liberia, West Africa

University Studentship and Hummingbird Resources plc.

Pilot

IP-1459-0514

Dr J Mont-gomery


Stigma and Spread: Mobility in the Face of Infectious Disease in Britain.


R*

IP-1460-0514

Dr A Henderson

University of Newcastle

Climate variability in the Gulf of Alaska and its link to the Aleutian Low: using a calibrated, high resolution δ18Odiatom record to reconstruct moisture variability over the last 2000 years

NERC Studentship NE/I528350/2

7

IP-1462-0514

Dr T Prave University of St Andrews

Timing the pulse of Neoproterozoic glaciations

University Academic

10

IP-1463-0514

Prof A M Pollard

University of Oxford

Stable Oxygen Isotopes as Tracers of Copper Corrosion Formation: A Study on Atmospheric Brochantite and Buried Malachite

University Studentship and Mexican Scholarship

3

IP-1464-0514

Dr I Bailey University of Exeter, Penryn Campus

Reconstructing modern locations of iceberg calving from the Greenland Ice Sheet using the provenance of ice-rafted sediments


R*

IP-1465-0514

Dr S Gilfillan


A study of natural CO2 reservoirs - Mechanisms and pathways for leakage and implications for geologically stored CO2

University Academic / EU 7th Framework, Grant No. 282900

5

IP-1466-0514

Prof Hesselbo

University of Exeter, Penryn Campus

Age of the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event: new opportunities from the Neuquen Basin Argentina

University Academic / Shell

8

IP-1467-0514

Dr D I Schofield

British Geological Survey - Keyworth

The sedimentology, stratigraphy and provenance of the mélange deposits of Anglesey and north-west Wales, UK.

University Studentship & Gill Harwood Fund 2013

6

IP-1466-1114

Dr F Cooper


Accumulation, remobilisation and eruption of large-volume crystal-rich silicic magmatic mushes in the central Andes


7

IP-1467-1114

Dr J Cooper

The British Museum London

U-Th explorations of human cave use on Mona Island

NERC Grant / NRCF 1873.0914,British Academy, British Museum Research Board, British Cave Research Association

Pilot

IP-1468-1114

Dr G Bailey University of Leicester

Assessing the resilience of ancient fisheries to late Holocene environmental changes in South America

University Research / Sambaqui e Paisagem (FAPESP, SP, Brazil: Ref. 11038-0)

3

IP-1469-1114

Dr I Bailey University of Exeter

Detecting evidence for shelf edge glaciations of Southern Greenland over the past five million years using ice-rafted debris provenance

Exeter University studentship:

4

IP-1470-1114

Dr T L Barry


Testing lithospheric involvement in extension-related basalts in Mongolia

Self-funded student (co-sponsored by Baker Hughes)

4

IP-1471-1114

Dr T L Barry


Investigating Early Palaeozoic mantle processes: a study of Rheic Ocean ophiolites

NERC Studentship / NE/K501050/1

6

IP-1473-1114

Dr P Cawood


Zircon and its isotopic systems during intracrustal fractionation

University of St Andrews - 600th anniversary PhD scholarship

Pilot

IP-1474-1114

Dr F Wall University of Exeter

Targeting Heavy Rare Earth Elements in carbonatite complexes

NERC Studentship / NE/J50318/1

R*

IP-1476-1114

Prof S Davies


Equatorial sea surface temperature seasonality in the Mississippian (Carboniferous) derived from brachiopod shell carbonate

BUFI / NERC Studentship / NE/L501839/1

6

IP-1477-1114

Prof H Downes

Birkbeck College, University of London

Determining the impact of a major structural change on an oceanic island's magma supply system - a study on the Canary island of La Palma of suites of lava flows from before and after a lateral collapse

Birkbeck, University of London, GTA post

7

IP-1480-1114

Dr A R Farrant

British Geological Survey - Keyworth

Improving the speleothem palaeoclimate record of the northern Levant (Lebanon): implications for human settlement and dispersal

NERC Institute Research

3

IP-1483-1114

Dr D Gooddy

British Geological Survey - Wallingford

The phosphate oxygen isotope (d18OPO4) composition of mains tap water - developing a tool for fingerprinting environmental phosphate sources


7

IP-1484-1114

Prof S P Hesselbo


Palaenvironmental change from the Early Jurassic of Poland


R*

IP-1485-1114

Dr A Henderson


Understanding the link between climate and tectonics using late Cenozoic sediments from the Sea of Japan

NERC Grant / NE/L002655/1

R*

IP-1486-1114

Dr A Henderson


Millennial-scale climate variability during the mid-Pleistocene transition in the Sea of Japan

NERC Studentship / NERC IAPETUS DTP and CASE Award with BGS

Pilot

IP-1487-1114

Prof J Henderson


Provenance and Technology of ceramic glazes in northern China and the Middle East (7th-13th Centuries AD)

University of Nottingham (International Studentship)

Pilot

IP-1488-1114

Prof D Hodgson

British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge

Late Quaternary changes in the Westerly Winds over the Southern Ocean

NERC Grant / NE/K004514/1 and AAS (AAS2663, 3117), SANAP (2011, 2013), Marie Curie & Swiss SNF Post Doc Fshps.

8

IP-1489-1114

Dr P Hopley

Birkbeck, University of London

The Age and Environment of the "Taung Child", Australopithecus africanus, from Taung, South Africa

NERC Grant / NE/H011102/1 (expired) .National Geographic (#8774-10 and #3212)

9

IP-1490-1114

Dr E Horni-brook


Stable isotope tracing of methane sources in UK groundwater

University Studentship / BGS & University of Bristol

6

IP-1491-1114

Prof M Jones


A new way of life? The earliest farming communities of highland SW Iran

University of Nottingham, University of New England

7

IP-1492-1114

Prof A E S Kemp

University of Southampton

Late glacial through Holocene climatic and environmental change from the laminated sediments of Windermere.

BGS BUFI & NERC Quota awards

Pilot

IP-1493-1114

Dr S Kender


North Sea Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM): carbon release rates and environmental impacts

University Research R*

IP-1495-1114

Prof M J Leng


Determining if changes in the position of the Southern Westerly Wind belt impact the South Georgia marine ecosystem


8

IP-1496-1114

Dr K Littler Camborne School of Mines

Investigating climate change and carbon-cycling in the Late Cretaceous–early Paleogene; new geochemical records from the South Atlantic and Spain


7

IP-1497-1114

Prof D Manning

Newcastle University

Characterisation of Carbon Dioxide and Methane in the Near-Surface Ground Gas Environment

University Studentship / EPSRC EP/K034952/1, EP/I002154/1 and EPSRC IAA EP/K502893/1

R*

IP-1498-1114

Dr C Meloro


Dietary isotope signatures of European brown bears: a new tool for conservation?

University Research 3

IP-1499-1114

Dr J Mont-gomery

Durham University

A Bioarchaeological Study of the Impact of Mobility on the Transmission of Tuberculosis


7

IP-1500-1114

Dr Y Najman

Lancaster University

Timing of exhumation of the Eastern Himalayan syntaxis

University Studentship / EU FP7 ITN

6

IP-1501-1114

Dr K Olsson-Francis

Open University Fractionation of phosphate oxygen isotopes during mineral dissolution by microbially produced organic and inorganic acids

UKSA Research Fellowship / UK Space Agency

7

IP-1504-1114

Dr C Pickard


Determining Late Stone Age shellfish collection strategies at Pinnacle Point, South Africa, through Sclerochronology and Oxygen Isotopes


Pilot

IP-1507-1114

Prof C Richardson

Bangor University

The growth and fecundity of the whelk Buccinum undatum in coastal shelf seas.

University Studentship / Bangor University /CEFAS -

R*

IP-1508-1114

Dr J B Riding

British Geological Survey

The Middle Jurassic plankton explosion University Studentship / BGS BUFI scheme; S246

2

IP-1509-1114

Dr T Riley British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge

Tectonic and magmatic relationships during crustal growth events: Evidence from the Lassiter Coast Intrusive Suite and Werner Batholith of the Antarctic Peninsula


4

IP-1510-1114

Dr D Ryves Loughborough University

Testing the role played by intra-annual climate and salinity change on human subsistence trends in Danish prehistoric shell middens

University Research / Leverhulme Trust. Research Project RPG-2012-817

4

IP-1511-1114

Prof M Searle

Oxford University

Constraining a Tectono-thermal Framework for the Mineral Deposits of Myanmar

University Fellowship / Oxford University Fell Fund DGD07260

3

IP-1512-1114

Prof D Schreve

Royal Holloway, University of London

Palaeodiets of British Late Pleistocene carnivores and their prey: chronological variation in d13C and d15N values in bone collagen.

University Research Pilot

IP-1513-1114

Dr M Singer

St Andrews University

Revealing the impacts of climate on riparian forest water availability and water use through tree-ring oxygen and carbon isotopes.

NERC Studentship / NE/K501062/1

R*

IP-1514-1114

Dr J Smith British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge

Reconstructing Holocene glacier discharge from the South Orkney Ice cap using δ18Odiatom isotopes

NERC Studentship / NE/K50094X/1

7

IP-1515-1114

Dr G Swann


The effects of differential dissolution on the oxygen isotope composition of diatom silica

University Research R*

IP-1516-1114

Dr G Swann


Biological and geochemical records of Holocene carbon cycling, Disko Island, western Greenland

University Studentship / ES/J500100/1 (NERC/ESRC 50/50)

Pilot

IP-1517-1114

Dr A Tye British Geological Survey - Keyworth

The extent of isotopic fractionation of Cu and Pb in colloids produced under sulphate-reducing conditions


5

IP-1518-1114

Prof J Wain-wright


Reconstructing the palaeoenvironmental mosaics of early Neolithic Çatalhöyük , Konya Plain, Turkey

University Research 2

5.2 NIGFSC Applications supported expressed as % of α grade science

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 Pilot Total number of

Applications

1 1 7 13 6 0 0 11 39

2.56% 2.56% 17.95% 33.33% 15.39% 0.00% 0.00% 28.21% 100%

39 proposals were graded below the cut-off grade of 7 (grade 6 for proposals involving a PhD student) and therefore were not supported. In addition 3 proposals could not be included due to their ungraded status.

5.3 Distribution of supported grade projects by Science Areas

Atmospheric Science

Earth Science

Earth Observation

Marine Polar Science based Archaeology

Terrestrial & Freshwater

Total No of Applications

1.75 16.60 1.70 3.10 2.70 8.05 5.10 39

4.49% 42.56% 4.36% 7.95% 6.92% 20.64% 13.08% 100%

5.4 Distribution of supported grade projects in related to NIGL Science Categories

Archaeology Chronology Environmental

Change Total No of

Applications

8 14 17 39

20.51% 35.90% 43.59% 100%

5.5 Distribution of supported grade projects related to Science Priority Areas

Biodiversity Climate System

Earth System Science

Environment, Pollution &

Human Health

Natural Hazards

Sustainable use of Natural

Resources Technologies

Total No of Applications

1.00 9.40 21.00 3.40 0.60 2.90 0.70 39

2.56% 24.10% 53.85% 8.72% 1.54% 7.44% 1.79% 100%

Annex 6: Publications 2014-15

6.1 Journal Articles and Book Chapters – Calendar Year 2014

Alasino, P. H., C. Casquet, M. A. Larrovere, R. J. Pankhurst, C. Galindo, J. A. Dahlquist, E. G. Baldo, and C. W. Rapela (2014), The evolution of a mid-crustal thermal aureole at Cerro Toro, Sierra de Famatina, NW Argentina, Lithos, 190, 154-172.

Aze, T., Pearson, P.N., Dickson, A.J., Badger, M.P.S., Bown, P.R., Pancost, R.D., Gibbs, S.J., Huber, B.T., Leng, M.J., Coe, A.L., Cohen, A.S., Foster, G.L. 2014. (2014), Extreme warming of tropical waters during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, Geology, 42(9), 739-742.

Bailey, H. L., A. C. G. Henderson, H. J. Sloane, A. Snelling, M. J. Leng, and D. S. Kaufman (2014), The effect of species on lacustrine delta O-18(diatom) and its implications for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, Journal of Quaternary Science, 29(4), 393-400.

Bogaard, A., E. Henton, J. A. Evans, K. C. Twiss, M. P. Charles, P. Vaiglova, and N. Russell (2014), Locating land use at Neolithic Catalhoyuk, Turkey: The implications og 87Sr/86Sr signatures in plants and sheep tooth sequences. Archaeometry, 56(5), 860-877.

Breier, J. A., et al. (2014), A large volume particulate and water multi-sampler with in situ preservation for microbial and biogeochemical studies, Deep-Sea Research Part I-Oceanographic Research Papers, 94, 195-206.

Brown, P.J., Meredith, M.P., Jullion, L., Naveira Garabato, A., Torres-Valdes, S., Holland, P., Leng, M.J., Venables, H. 2014 Freshwater fluxes in the Weddell Gyre: results from δ18O. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, A, 372 (2019), 20130298. 10.1098/rsta.2013.0298.

Casquet, C., F. Herve, R. J. Pankhurst, E. Baldo, M. Calderon, C. M. Fanning, C. W. Rapela, and J. Dahlquist (2014), The Mejillonia suspect terrane (Northern Chile): Late Triassic fast burial and metamorphism of sediments in a magmatic arc environment extending into the Early Jurassic, Gondwana Research, 25(3), 1272-1286.

Dean, J.R, Leng, M.J., Mackay, A.W. 2014. Is there an isotopic signature of the Anthropocene. Anthropocene Review, 1, 276-287.

Dorais, M. J., and C. J. Spencer (2014), Revisiting the importance of residual source material (restite) in granite petrogenesis: The Cardigan Pluton, New Hampshire, Lithos, 202, 237-249.

Evans, C. D., T. Chadwick, D. Norris, E. C. Rowe, T. H. E. Heaton, P. Brown, and R. W. Battarbee (2014), Persistent surface water acidification in an organic soil-dominated upland region subject to high atmospheric deposition: The North York Moors, UK, Ecological Indicators, 37, 304-316.

Farrant, A. R., C. J. M. Smith, S. R. Noble, M. J. Simms, and D. A. Richards (2014), Speleogenetic evidence from Ogof Draenen for a pre-Devensian glaciation in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales, UK. , Journal of Quaternary Science 29, 815-826.

Feldstead, N.J., Gonzalez, S., Huddart, D., Noble, S.R., Hoffmann, D.L., Metcalfe, S.E., Leng, M.J., Albert, B.M., Pike, A.W.G., Gonzalez-Gonzalez, A., Jimenez-Lopez, J, C. (2014), Holocene-aged human footprints from the Cuatrocienegas Basin, NE Mexico, Journal of Archaeological Science, 42, 250-259.

Gooddy, D. C., D. M. J. Macdonald, D. J. Lapworth, S. A. Bennett, and K. J. Griffiths (2014), Nitrogen sources, transport and processing in pen-urban floodplains, Science of the Total Environment, 494, 28-38.

Goodenough, K. M., P. A. J. Lusty, N. M. W. Roberts, R. M. Key, and A. Garba (2014), Post-collisional Pan-African granitoids and rare metal pegmatites in western Nigeria: Age, petrogenesis, and the 'pegmatite conundrum', Lithos, 200, 22-34.

Hanif, M., M. B. Hart, S. T. Grimes, and M. J. Leng (2014), Integrated stratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of the P/E boundary interval, Rakhi Nala section, Indus Basin (Pakistan), Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 7(1), 323-339.

Hemer, K. A., J. A. Evans, C. A. Chenery, and A. L. Lamb (2014), No Man is an island: evidence of pre-Viking Age migration to the Isle of Man, Journal of Archaeological Science, 52, 242-249.

Hendy, K.R., Swann, G.E.A., Leng, M.J., Sloane, H.J., Goodwin, C., Berman, J., Maldonado, M. 2014. Silica stable isotopes and silicification in a carnivorous sponge. Biogeosciences Discussions, 11, 16573-16597.

Hughes, S. S., A. R. Millard, S. J. Lucy, C. A. Chenery, J. A. Evans, G. Nowell, and D. G. Pearson (2014), Anglo-Saxon origins investigated by isotopic analysis of burials from Berinsfield, Oxfordshire, UK, Journal of Archaeological Science, 42, 81-92.

Kocks, H., R. A. Strachan, J. A. Evans, and M. Fowler (2014), Contrasting magma emplacement mechanisms within the Rogart igneous complex, NW Scotland, record the switch from regional contraction to strike-slip during the Caledonian orogeny, Geological Magazine, 151(5), 899-915.

Koenitzer, S. F., S. J. Davies, M. H. Stephenson, and M. J. Leng (2014), DEPOSITIONAL CONTROLS ON MUDSTONE LITHOFACIES IN A BASINAL SETTING: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DELIVERY OF SEDIMENTARY ORGANIC MATTER, Journal of Sedimentary Research, 84(3-4), 198-214.

Lacey, J.H., Francke, A., Leng, M.J., Vane, C.H., Wagner, B. 2014. A high resolution Late Glacial to Holocene record of environmental change in the Mediterranean from Lake Ohrid (Macedonia/Albania). International Journal of Earth Sciences. DOI 10.1007/s00531-014-1033-6.

Lamb, A. L., J. E. Evans, R. Buckley, and J. Appleby (2014), Multi-isotope analysis demonstrates significant lifestyle changes in King Richard III, Journal of Archaeological Science, 50, 559-565.

Lawley, C. J. M., D. Selby, D. Condon, and J. Imber (2014), Palaeoproterozoic orogenic gold style mineralization at the Southwestern Archaean Tanzanian cratonic margin, Lupa Goldfield, SW Tanzania: Implications from U-Pb titanite geochronology, Gondwana Research, 26(3-4), 1141-1158.

Lepland, A., et al. (2014), Potential influence of sulphur bacteria on Palaeoproterozoic phosphogenesis, Nature Geoscience, 7(1), 20-24.

Li, Q., R. R. Parrish, M. S. A. Horstwood, and J. M. McArthur (2014), U-Pb dating of cements in Mesozoic ammonites, Chemical Geology, 376, 76-83.

Manners, H.R., Grimes, S.T., Sutton,P.S., Domingo, L., Leng,M.J., Twitchett,R.J., Hart,M.B., Dunkley Jones, T., Pancost,R.D., Duller,R., Lopez-Martinez,N. (2014), Reply to comment on "Magnitude and profile of organic carbon isotope records from the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum: Evidence from northern Spain" by Manners et al. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 376 (2013) 220-230, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 395, 294-295.

Marcello, M., Thomas, K., Crema, E.R., Leng, M.J. 2014. A matter of taste? Mode and periodicity of marine mollusc exploitation on the Mediterranean island of Favignana (Egadi Islands, Italy) during its isolation in the early Holocene. Archaeofauna, 23, 133-147.

Moir, M. L., L. Hughes, P. A. Vesk, and M. C. Leng (2014), Which host-dependent insects are most prone to coextinction under changed climates?, Ecology and Evolution,4(8), 1295-1312.

Mottram, C. M., C. J. Warren, D. Regis, N. M. W. Roberts, N. B. W. Harris, T. W. Argles, and R. R. Parrish (2014), Developing an inverted Barrovian sequence; insights from monazite petrochronology, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 403, 418-431.

Mottram, C. M., T. W. Argles, N. B. W. Harris, R. R. Parrish, M. S. A. Horstwood, C. J. Warren, and S. Gupta (2014), Tectonic interleaving along the Main Central Thrust, Sikkim Himalaya, Journal of the Geological Society, 171(2), 255-268.

Neill, I., A. C. Kerr, K. R. Chamberlain, A. K. Schmitt, F. Urbani, A. R. Hastie, J. L. Pindell, T. L. Barry, and I. L. Millar (2014), Vestiges of the proto-Caribbean seaway: Origin of the San Souci Volcanic Group, Trinidad, Tectonophysics, 626, 170-185.

Palin, R. M., M. P. Searle, M. R. St-Onge, D. J. Waters, N. M. W. Roberts, M. S. A. Horstwood, R. R. Parrish, O. M. Weller, S. Chen, and J. Yang (2014), Monazite geochronology and petrology of kyanite- and sillimanite-grade migmatites from the northwestern flank of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, Gondwana Research, 26(1), 323-347.

Panagiotopoulos, K., A. Boehm, M. J. Leng, B. Wagner, and F. Schaebitz (2014), Climate variability over the last 92 ka in SW Balkans from analysis of sediments from Lake Prespa, Climate of the Past, 10(2), 643-660.

Pankhurst, R. J., C. W. Rapela, M. G. Lopez de Luchi, A. E. Rapalini, C. M. Faning, and C. Galindo (2014), The Gondwana connections of northern Patagonia, Journal of the Geological Society, 171(3), 313-328.

Pearce, J. A., A. R. Hastie, P. T. Leat, I. W. Dalziel, L. A. Lawver, P. F. Barker, I. L. Millar, T. L. Barry, and R. E. Bevins (2014), Composition and evolution of the Ancestral South Sandwich Arc: Implications for the flow of deep ocean water and mantle through the Drake Passage Gateway, Global and Planetary Change, 123, 298-322.

Regis, D., C. J. Warren, D. Young, and N. M. W. Roberts (2014), Tectono-metamorphic evolution of the Jomolhari massif: Variations in timing of syn-collisional metamorphism across western Bhutan, Lithos, 190, 449-466.

Riley, T. R., and I. L. Millar (2014), Geochemistry of the 1100Ma intrusive rocks from the Ahlmannryggen region, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, Antarctic Science,26(4), 389-399.

Robinson, R. A. J., C. A. Brezina, R. R. Parrish, M. S. A. Horstwood, N. W. Oo, M. I. Bird, M. Thein, A. S. Walters, G. J. H. Oliver, and K. Zaw (2014), Large rivers and orogens: The evolution of the Yarlung Tsangpo-Irrawaddy system and the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, Gondwana Research, 26(1), 112-121.

Roche, R. C., C. T. Perry, S. G. Smithers, M. J. Leng, C. A. Grove, H. J. Sloane, and C. E. Unsworth (2014), Mid-Holocene sea surface conditions and riverine influence on the inshore Great Barrier Reef, Holocene, 24(8), 885-897.

Sageman, B. B., B. S. Singer, S. R. Meyers, S. E. Siewert, I. Walaszczyk, D. J. Condon, B. R. Jicha, J. D. Obradovich, and D. A. Sawyer (2014), Integrating Ar-40/Ar-39, U-Pb, and astronomical clocks in the Cretaceous Niobrara Formation, Western Interior Basin, USA, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 126(7-8), 956-973.

Singer, B. S., B. R. Jicha, D. J. Condon, A. S. Macho, K. A. Hoffman, J. Dierkhising, M. C. Brown, J. M. Feinberg, and T. Kidane (2014), Precise ages of the Reunion event and Huckleberry Ridge excursion: Episodic clustering of geomagnetic instabilities and the dynamics of flow within the outer core, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 405, 25-38.

Smye, A. J., N. M. W. Roberts, D. J. Condon, M. S. A. Horstwood, and R. R. Parrish (2014), Characterising the U-Th-Pb systematics of allanite by ID and LA-ICPMS: Implications for geochronology, Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 135, 1-28.

Snelling, A. M., G. E. A. Swann, J. Pike, and M. J. Leng (2014), Pliocene diatom and sponge spicule oxygen isotope ratios from the Bering Sea: isotopic offsets and future directions, Climate of the Past, 10(5), 1837-1842.

Spencer, C., A. Prave, P. Cawood, and N. Roberts (2014), Detrital Zircon Geochronology of the Grenville/Llano Foreland and Basal Sauk Sequence in West Texas. , GSA Bulletin, 126, 1117-1128.

Spencer, C. J., P. A. Cawood, C. J. Hawkesworth, T. D. Raub, A. R. Prave, and N. M. W. Roberts (2014), Proterozoic onset of crustal reworking and collisional tectonics: Reappraisal of the zircon oxygen isotope record, Geology, 42(5), 451-454.

Spencer, C. J., N. M. W. Roberts, P. A. Cawood, C. J. Hawkesworth, A. R. Prave, A. S. M. Antonini, M. S. A. Horstwood, and Eimf (2014), Intermontane basins and bimodal volcanism at the onset of the Sveconorwegian Orogeny, southern Norway, Precambrian Research, 252, 107-118.

Stuebner, K., D. Grujic, R. R. Parrish, N. M. W. Roberts, A. Kronz, J. Wooden, and T. Ahmad (2014), Monazite geochronology unravels the timing of crustal thickening in NW Himalaya, Lithos, 210, 111-128.

Tapster, S., N. M. W. Roberts, M. G. Petterson, A. D. Saunders, and J. Naden (2014), From continent to intra-oceanic arc: Zircon xenocrysts record the crustal evolution of the Solomon island arc, Geology, 42(12), 1087-1090.

Thomas, R. J., A. M. Bushi, N. M. W. Roberts, and J. Jacobs (2014), Geochronology of granitic rocks from the Ruangwa region, southern Tanzania - Links with NE Mozambique and beyond, Journal of African Earth Sciences, 100, 70-80.

Thomas, K.D., Crema, E.R., Leng, M.J. 2014. A matter of taste? Mode and periodicity of marine mollusc exploitation on the Mediterranean island of Favignana (Egadi Islands, Italy) during its isolation in the early Holocene. Archaeofauna, 23, 133-147.

Vaiglova, Petra; Bogaard, Amy; Collins, Matthew; Cavanagh, William; Mee, Christopher; Renard, Josette; Lamb, Angela; Gardeisen, Armelle; Fraser, Rebecca. 2014 An integrated stable isotope study of plants and animals from Kouphovouno, southern Greece: a new look at Neolithic farming. Journal of Archaeological Science, 42. 201-215. 10.1016/j.jas.2013.10.023

Wagner, B., M. J. Leng, T. Wilke, A. Boehm, K. Panagiotopoulos, H. Vogel, J. H. Lacey, G. Zanchetta, and R. Sulpizio (2014), Distinct lake level lowstand in Lake Prespa (SE Europe) at the time of the 74 (75) ka Toba eruption, Climate of the Past, 10(1), 261-267.

Wagner, B., Wilke, T., Krastel, S., Zanchetta, G., Sulpizio, R., Reicherter, K., Leng, M., Grazhdani, A., Trajanovski, S., Levkov, Z., Reed,J., Wonik, T. 2014. More than one million years of history in Lake Ohrid cores. EOS, 95, 25-26.

Wall-Palmer, D., C. W. Smart, M. B. Hart, M. J. Leng, M. Borghini, E. Manini, S. Aliani, and A. Conversi (2014), Late Pleistocene pteropods, heteropods and planktonic foraminifera from the Caribbean Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean, Micropaleontology, 60(6), 557-578.

Warren, C. J., A. K. Singh, N. M. W. Roberts, D. Regis, A. M. Halton, and R. B. Singh (2014), Timing and conditions of peak metamorphism and cooling across the Zimithang Thrust, Arunachal Pradesh, India, Lithos, 200, 94-110.

Wilson, K. E., M. J. Leng, and A. W. Mackay (2014), The use of multivariate statistics to resolve multiple contamination signals in the oxygen isotope analysis of biogenic silica, Journal of Quaternary Science, 29(7), 641-649.

Wilson, K. E., M. A. Maslin, M. J. Leng, J. D. Kingston, A. L. Deino, R. K. Edgar, and A. W. Mackay (2014), East African lake evidence for Pliocene millennial-scale climate variability, Geology, 42(11), 955-958.

6.2 Journal Articles and Book Chapters – published 2015, or in press.

Boekhout, F., N. Roberts, A. Gerdes, and U. Schaltegger (2015), Continent formation in accretionary orogens; in Hf isotope perspective on the proto-Peruvian Andes. , inContinent Formation Through Time, edited by N. e. a. Roberts, pp. 305-321, Geological Society of London Special Publication.

Bracciali, L., Y. Najman, R. R. Parrish, S. H. Akhter, and I. Millar (2015a), The Brahmaputra tale of tectonics and erosion: Early Miocene river capture in the Eastern Himalaya, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 415, 25-37.

http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/504383/

http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/504383/

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2013.10.023

Cawood, P. A., R. A. Strachan, R. E. Merle, I. L. Millar, S. L. Loewy, I. W. D. Dalziel, P. D. Kinny, F. Jourdan, A. A. Nemchine, and J. N. Connelly (2015), Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic extensional and compressional history of East Laurentian margin sequences: The Moine Supergroup, Scottish Caledonides, GSA Bulletin, 127(3/4), 349-371.

Chan, G. H. N., J. C. Aitchison, Q. G. Crowley, M. S. A. Horstwood, M. P. Searle, R. R. Parrish, and J. S.-L. Chan (2015), U-Pb zircon ages for Yarlung Tsangpo suture zone ophiolites, southwestern Tibet and their tectonic implications, Gondwana Research, 27(2), 719-732.

Cvetkoska, A., Z. Levkov, J. M. Reed, B. Wagner, K. Panagiotopoulos, M. J. Leng, and J. H. Lacey (2015), Quaternary climate change and Heinrich events in the southern Balkans: Lake Prespa diatom palaeolimnology from the last interglacial to present, Journal of Paleolimnology, 53(2), 215-231.

Elmore, A.C., McClymont, E.L., Elderfield, H., Kender, S., Cook, M.R., Leng, M.J., Greaves, M., Misra, S. 2015. Antarctic intermediate water properties since 400ka recorded I infaunal (Uvigerina peregrine) and epifaunal (Planulina wuellerstorfi) benthic foraminifera. EPSL – in press.

Farrant, A. R., S. R. Noble, A. J. M. Barron, C. A. Self, and S. R. Grebby (2015), Speleothem U-series constraints on scarp retreat rates and landscape evolution: an example from the Severn valley and Cotswold Hills gull-caves, UK. , Journal of the Geological Society, London, 172, 63-76.

Joosu, L., A. Lepland, K. Kirsimaee, A. E. Romashkin, N. W. Roberts, A. P. Martin, and A. E. Crne (2015), The REE-composition and petrography of apatite in 2 Ga Zaonega Formation, Russia: The environmental setting for phosphogenesis, Chemical Geology, 395, 88-107.

Leng, M.J., and Lewis, J.P. Bulk C/N ratios and Carbon Isotopes in Estuarine Environments. In DPER volume.

Leng, M.J. and Lewis, J.P. 2014. Oxygen isotopes in Molluscan shell: applications in environmental archaeology. Environmental Archaeology – in press.

Martin, A. P., A. F. Cooper, R. C. Price, R. E. Turnbull, and N. M. W. Roberts (2015), The petrology, geochronology and significance of Granite Harbour Intrusive Complex xenoliths and outcrop sampled in western McMurdo Sound, Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 58(1), 33-51.

McLean, N., D. J. Condon, B. Shoen, and S. A. Bowring (in press), Evaluating Uncertainties in the Calibration of Isotopic Reference Materials and Multi-Element Isotopic Tracers (EARTHTIME Tracer Calibration Part II). Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. Miller, H., Carden, R., Lamb, A., Madgwick, R., Osborne, D., Symmons, R. and Sykes, N. In Press. Dead or Alive? Investigating long-distance transport of live fallow deer and their body-parts in Antiquity. Environmental Archaeology.

Roberts, N. M. W. and Spencer, C. J. (2015), The zircon archive of continent formation through time. , in Continent Formation Through Time, edited by N.M.W. Roberts et al, pp. 197-225, Geological Society of London Special Publication.

Swanson-Hysell. N. L., Maloof, A. C, D. J. Condon, G. R. T. Jenkin, M. Alene, M. M. Tremblay, T. Tesema, A. D. Rooney, and B. Haileab (in press), Stratigraphy and geochronology of the Tambien Group, Ethiopia: Evidence for globally synchronous carbon isotope change in the Neoproterozoic. , Geology.

Noble, S. R., D. J. Condon, J. N. Carney, P. Wilby, T. C. Pharaoh, and T. D. Ford (2015), Age and global context of the 1 Ediacaran fossils of Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire, UK. , Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 127, 250-265.

Palin, R., M. Searle, M. St-Onge, D. Waters, N. Roberts, N. Horstwood, R. Parrish, and O. Weller (in press), Two-stage cooling history of pelitic mylonite from the Dongjiu-Milin shear zone, northwest flank of the eastern Himalayan Syntaxes. , Gondwana Research.

Parton, A., Farrant, A.R., Leng, M.J., Telfer, M., Groucutt, H., Petraglia, M.D., Parker, A.G. 2015. Alluvial fan records from southeast Arabia reveal multiple windows for human dispersal. Geology doi:10.1130/G36401.1.

Preston, G.W., Thomas, D.S.G., Goudie, A.S., Atkinson, O.A.C., Leng, M.J., Hodson, M.J., Walkington, H., Charpentier, V., Mery, S., Borgi, F., Parker, A.G. 2015. A multi-proxy analysis of the Holocene humid phase from the United Arab Emirates and its implications for southeast Arabia's Neolithic populations. Quaternary International – in press.

Roberts, N., and T. Slagstad. (in press), Continental growth and reworking on the edge of the Columbia and Rodinia supercontinents; 1.86-0.9 Ga accretionary orogeny in SW Fennoscandia. , International Geology Review.

Roberts, N., M. Van Kranendonk, S. Parman, and P. Clift (2015), Continent Formation Through Time, in Continent Formation Through Time, edited by N. e. a. Roberts, pp. 1-16, Geological Society of London Special Publication.

Schaltegger, U., Schmidt, A.K. & Horstwood, M.S.A. (2015). U–Th–Pb zircon geochronology by ID-TIMS, SIMS, and laser ablation ICP-MS: Recipes, interpretations, and opportunities. Chemical Geology, Volume 402, 8 May 2015, Pages 89–110.

Spencer, C., P. Cawood, C. Hawkesworth, A. Prave, N. Roberts, M. Horstwood, M. Whitehouse, and EIMF (in press), Generation and Preservation of Continental Crust in the Grenville Orogenic Cycle. , Geoscience Frontiers.

Thomas, R. J., R. A. Ellison, K. M. Goodenough, N. M. W. Roberts, and P. A. Allen (2015), Salt domes of the UAE and Oman: Probing eastern Arabia, Precambrian Research, 256, 1-16.

6.3 Conference Proceedings, Calendar Year 2014

Note: Published abstracts from AGU, GSA and EGU conferences only are listed.

Ahu, M., Yin, Z., Zhang, J., Condon, D.J., Macdonald, F.A. & Liu, P. (2014). Stratigraphic architecture of the Cryogenian successions of South China. Abstract PP43C-1488 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Bennett, S., Van Dover, C., Coleman, M. 2014. The influence of vent fluid chemistry on trophic structure at two deep-sea hydrothermal vent fields on the Mid-Cayman Rise. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 16, EGU2014, 2014.

Bracciali, L., Najman, Y., Parrish, R.R., Millar, I.L. & Akhter, S. (2014). Investigating the proposed linkage between Eastern Himalayan syntaxial evolution and river capture of the Yarlung Tsangpo by the Brahmaputra River. EGU General Assembly 2014. Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 16, EGU2014-12219.

Brezina, C.A., Robinson, R.A.J., Barfod, D.N., Carter, A., Parrish, R.R., Horstwood, M.S.A., Thein, M. & Win Oo, N. (2014). Detrital Mineral Record of the Central Myanmar Basin and implications for the evolution of the eastern Himalayan margin. Abstract T12A-08 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Condon, D.J. (2014). Accelerating Neoproterozoic research through scientific drilling. 2014 GSA Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia (19–22 October 2014). Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 46, No. 6, p.399

Condon, D.J., Prave, A., Boggiani, P., Fike, D., Halverson, G., Kasemann, S., Knoll, A., and Zhu, M. Accelerating Neoproterozoic Research through Scientific Drilling. EGU General Assembly 2014. Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 16, EGU2014-14130.

Condon, D.J., Sahy, D., Crmire, A., Lepland, A., Noble, S.R., Chand, S. & Brunstad, H. (2014). Constraints on the timing and duration of methane derived authigenic carbonate formation in the North Sea and the Barents Sea from U-Th dating. Abstract OS11C-08 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Condon, D.J., Zhu, M., Macdonald, F.A. & Tapster, S. (2014). Developing an Age Model for the Cryogenian: the South China perspective. Abstract PP42B-05 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Crémière, A., Lepland, A., Sahy, D., Noble, S.R., Condon, D.J., Chand, S., Stoddart, D., Halvard Pedersen, J., Sauer, S., Brunstad, H., Birger Pedersen, R. & Thornes, T. (2014). Methane-derived carbonates as archives of past seepage activity along the Norwegian margin. EGU General Assembly 2014. Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 16, EGU2014-13517.

Davies, S.J., Bennett, C.E., Leng, M.J., Kearsley, T., Marshall, J.E., Millward, D., Reeves, E.J., Snelling, A. & Sherwin, J.E. (2014). The Carboniferous carbon isotope record from sedimentary organic matter: can we disentangle the carbon cycle? Abstract PP41A-1338 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Evans, J.A., Warham, J., Ander , L., & Montgomery, J. (2014). Influences on 87Sr/86Sr in the British biosphere beyond bedrock. EGU General Assembly 2014. Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 16, EGU2014-6401.

Fielding, L.D., Najman, Y., Millar, I.L., Butterworth, P., Garzanti , E. & Kneller , B. (2014). Determining the palaeodrainage of the Nile river from a provenance study of the Nile delta cone sediments. EGU General Assembly 2014. Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 16, EGU2014-13450

Fielding, L.D., Najman, Y., Millar, I.L., Butterworth, P., Garzanti, E. & Kneller, B.C. (2014). Determining the Palaeodrainage of the Nile River from a Provenance Study of the Nile Delta Cone Sediments. Abstract EP21D-3556 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Fox, L; Wade, B; Holbourn, A; Leng, MJ. 2014. Across the Pacific: Climate Evolution in the Middle Miocene. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 16, EGU2014-790, 2014.

Harris, M., Coggon, R.M., Teagle, D.A.H., Roberts, N.M.W. & Parrish, R.R. (2014). Laser ablation MC-ICP-MS U/Pb geochronology of ocean basement calcium carbonate veins. Abstract V31B-4740 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00092541/402/supp/C

Hart, M.B., Leighton, A.D., Smart, C.W. & Leng, M.J. (2014) Timing recovery after the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary: evidence from Brazos river, Texas. 2014 GSA Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia (19–22 October 2014). Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 46, No. 6, p.276

Hilgen, F., Kuiper, K., Sierro, F.J., Wotzlaw, J., Schaltegger, U., Sahy, D., and Condon, D.J. (2014). Towards a stable numerical time scale for the early Paleogene. EGU General Assembly 2014 Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 16, EGU2014-5802.

Hoffman, K.H., Condon, D.J., Prave, A.R. & Tapster, S. (2014). Geochronology reveals multi-million years duration of the end-Cryogenian (Marinoan) glaciation, Namibia. 2014 GSA Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia (19–22 October 2014). Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 46, No. 6, p.627.

Leighton, A; Hart, M; Hampton, M; Leng, MJ; Smart, C. 2014. Timing and duration of biotic extinction and recovery at the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary in Texas and Alabama. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 16, EGU2014-3010, 2014.

Leng, MJ; Anderson, NJ. 2014. The influence of Holocene climate and catchment ontogeny on organic carbon cycling in low-Arctic lakes of SW Greenland. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 16, EGU2014-2929, 2014.

Macdonald, F.A., Schmitz, M.D., Condon, D.J., Zhu, M., Rooney, A.D. & Brandon, A.D. (2014). Making up for Lost Time: Stratigraphic and Geochemical Implications of a Long-Lived Sturtian Glaciation. Abstract PP42B-06 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

MacDonald, F. A., & Condon, D.J. (2014) the nature and duration of the Sturtian glacial epoch. 2014 GSA Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia (19–22 October 2014). Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 46, No. 6, p.400.

Mackay, A.W., Leng, M.J., Morley, D.W., Piotrowska, N., Rioual, P. & Swann, G.E.A. (2014). Holocene Carbon Fluxes and Palaeoproductivity in Aquatic Ecosystems: a Multiproxy, Palaeolimnological Approach. Abstract PP31A-1120 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Najman, Y., Jenks, D., Godin, L., BouDagher-Fadel, M. K., Bown, P. R., Horstwood, M. S. A., Bracciali, L., Millar, I.L. (2014). What collided with India at ~50 Ma? Constraints from the sedimentary record in the NW Himalaya, Ladakh. Abstract EP12B-01 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Panizzo, V.N., Swann, G.E.A., Mackay, A.W., Roberts, S., Vologina, E., Sturm, M. & Horstwood, M.S.A. (2014). Tracing diatom utilisation, and its fate, in Lake Baikal, Siberia: the application of silicon isotope geochemistry. Abstract B54B-03 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Petrick, B.F., McClymont, E., Felder, S., Leng, M.J., Rosell Mele, A.& Rueda, G. (2014). Pliocene Warm Period Upwelling in the Southern Benguela Region. Abstract PP33B-1240 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Piccione, G., Rasbury, T., Davis, D.M., Druschke, P., Hanson, A.D., Parrish, R.R. & Austin-Giddings, W. Characterizing Carbonates from the Sheep Pass Formation, Nevada Using Laser Ablation ICP-MS. Abstract V34A-02 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Prave, T., Hoffmann, K.H., Condon, D.J. & Tapster, S. (2014). Early glacial erosion and deposition during end-Cryogenian (Marinoan) glaciation along the southern Otavi carbonate paleoplatform margin, Namibia. Abstract PP43C-1489 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Prouty, N., Roark, E.B., Demopoulos, A.W., Condon, D.J., Davis, K., Ross, S. & Brooke, S. (2014). Biologic Indicators of Seabed Methane Venting Along the US Mid-Atlantic Margin. Abstract OS21A-1115 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Rosqvist, G; Davies, S; Leng, MJ. 2014. Glacier dynamics and lake development on South Georgia during the late-glacial and early Holocene. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 16, EGU2014-8972, 2014.

Royles, J; Amesbury, M; Ogée, J; Wingate, L; Convey, P; Hodgson, D; Griffiths, H; Leng, MJ; Charman, D. 2014. Stable isotopes and Antarctic moss banks: Plants and soil microbes respond to recent warming on the Antarctic Peninsula. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 16, EGU2014-5256, 2014.

Sahy, D., Cremiere, A., Lepland, A., Noble, S. R., Condon, D.J., & Brunstad, H. (2014). Tempo of methane derived authigenic carbonate formation from the North Sea and the Barents Sea. 2014 GSA Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia (19–22 October 2014). Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 46, No. 6, p.618.

Spencer, C.J., Cawood, P.A. & Roberts, N.M.W. (2014). Reconciling the detrital zircon record and crustal growth within juvenile accretionary orogens. Abstract V54C-02 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Swann, G.E.A., Panizzo, V.N., Mackay, A.W., Roberts, S., Vologina, E. & Horstwood, M.S.A. (2014). Can silicon isotopes be used to assess anthropogenic impacts and nutrient utilisation in Lake Baikal, Siberia? Abstract PP21C-1351 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Szameitat, A., Parrish, R.R., Stuart, F.M., Carter, A. & Fishwick, S. (2014). Rapid Oligocene Exhumation of the Western Canadian Rocky Mountains. Abstract EP21A-3525 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Tremblay, M. M. Swanson-Hysell, N. L., Maloof, A. C., Condon, D.J., Beroff, S. E., Tesema, T., Haileab, B., Alene, M., & Jenkin, G. (2014). Strengthening Neoproterozoic chemostratigraphic correlations with carbon and strontium isotopes of the Tambien Group, Northern Ethiopia. 2014 GSA Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia (19–22 October 2014). Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 46, No. 6, p.627.

Wagner, B; Francke, A; Wilke, T; Krastel, S; Zanchetta, G; Sulpizio, R; Reicherter, K; Leng, MJ; Grazhdani, A; Trajanovski, S;

Levkov, Z; Reed, J; Wonik, T. 2014. Deep drilling of ancient Lake Ohrid (Balkan region) to capture over 1 million years of

evolution and global climate cycling. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 16, EGU2014-2600, 2014.

Walker, R.J. & Roberts, N.M.W. (2014). Constraints on the Age of Continental Rifting and NE Atlantic Break-Up using U-Pb Geochronology of Fault-Hosted Calcite Mineralisation: Faroe Islands, European Atlantic Margin. Abstract T53B-4670 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

Woodward, J., Macklin, M., Millar, I.L., Williams, M., Welsby, D., Duller, G., & Williams, F. (2014) Holocene Floods and Sediment Sources in the Desert Nile: a Strontium Isotope Record from Northern Sudan. EGU General Assembly 2014. Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 16, EGU2014-6450.

Zhuang, G., Najman, Y., Wijbrans, J.R., Millar, I.L. & Carter, A. (2014). The Detrital White Mica 40Ar/39Ar Record of the Katawaz Remnant Ocean Basin, Pakistan, and Tectonic Implications for the Himalayan Source Region. Abstract T21B-4607 presented at 2014 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 15-19 Dec.

6.4 PhD Theses awarded, Calendar Year 2014

Bishop, T. 2014. A Palaeolimnological Investigation of Central Patagonian Climate During the Holocene. PhD - University of Southampton.

Clark, N. 2014. A molluscan record of Late Cenozoic climate and palaeoseasonality from Antarctica and South America. PhD – University of Leicester.

Dean, J. 2014. Stable Isotope Analysis and U-Th Dating of Late Glacial and Holocene Lacustrine Sediments from Central Turkey. PhD – University of Nottingham.

Fox, L. 2014. Mid Miocene orbital climate variability and biotic response in the Pacific Ocean. PhD – University of Leeds.

Manners, H. 2014. A Multi-Proxy Study of the Palaeocene – Eocene Thermal Maximum in Northern Spain. PhD – University of Plymouth.

Middleton, C. 2014. Stable isotope evidence for the development of herding in Central Anatolia, 13,000 - 5,000 BC. PhD – University of Liverpool.

Sahy, Diana, 2014. Geochronology and chronostratigraphy of the Eocene – Oligocene transition. PhD - University of Leicester.

Smith, A. 2014. Speleothem Climate Capture – A Holocene Reconstruction of Northern Iberian Climate and Environmental Change. PhD – University of Lancaster.

Spencer, Christopher, 2014. Crustal Generation and Preservation in the Grenville Orogeny. PhD - University of St Andrews

Tapster, Simon, 2014. A record of plateau-arc collision: the crustal and tectonic evolution of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. PhD – University of Leicester

Valentine, A-M. 2014. An investigation into the seasonality of the Pliocene southern North Sea Basin: a sclerochronological approach. PhD – University of Derby.

Annex 7 Targets & Milestones (Facility Reports)

Notes on the running of facilities, analytical output, and notable developmental work are listed below.

7.1 Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry

The stable isotope mass spectrometry facility comprises:

VG Optima dual inlet mass spectrometer. This mass spectrometer is also connected to a Costech ECS4010 elemental analyser with VG triple cryogenic trap for organic 13C/12C and C/N analysis.

VG Optima dual inlet mass spectrometer with 20 port manifold for 13C/12C and 18O/16O analysis of CO2 produced off line from bulk carbonates.

VG SIRA dual inlet mass spectrometer with 48 port Isoprep 18 and Multiport manifold for 18O/16O analysis of waters.

GV Isoprime mass spectrometer with EuroPyrOH using continuous flow, for 2H/1H analysis of waters.

GV Isoprime dual inlet mass spectrometer with Multiprep, for 13C/12C and 18O/16O analysis of small carbonates – mark 1. GV Isoprime dual inlet mass spectrometer with Multiprep, for 13C/12C and 18O/16O analysis of small carbonates – mark 2.

Isoprime 100 dual inlet mass spectrometer with Multiprep (60 port) , Multitray (180 port), and extra collectors for clumped isotope analysis for 13C/12C and 18O/16O analysis of carbonates, 18O/16O analysis of waters, and multiply substituted oxygen isotopes.

Finnigan MAT 253 dual inlet mass spectrometer with manifold for off-line 18O/16O, 30Si/28Si, and 29Si/28Si analysis of biogenic silica.

Finnigan Delta+XL single inlet mass spectrometer linked under continuous flow to ThermoFinnigan TC/EA and Flash 1112 elemental analysers. The systems employ both oxidative combustion, and high temperature reductive pyrolysis to provide 13C/12C ratios of bulk organic matter, 15N/14N and 34S/32S ratios in a variety of both organic and inorganic materials, and 18O/16O ratios of sulphates, nitrates, and phosphates.

Analytical output (1 April, 2014 to 31 March, 2015)

Type of analysis No. of analyses

Approx. % standards, blanks, tests, duplicates etc.

Micro-carbonate 13C/12C, 18O/16O 7300 40

Bulk carbonate 13C/12C, 18O/16O 2540 25

Water 18O/16O 4400 40

Water D/H 7500 75 (analysis in triplicate)

Silicate 18O/16O 250 25

Silicate 30Si/28Si and 29Si/28Si 0 25

13C/12C + C/N (organic) 8000 25

15N/14N + 13C/12C (collagen, hair) 2500 30

15N/14N (nitrates, ammonium, organic) 400 25

18O/16O (nitrate, phosphate, sulphate,) 2700 30

34S/32S (sulphates, sulphides, organic) 800 30

The strength of the facility lies in its ability to analyse a wide variety of materials. This has been made possible by establishing and continuously developing a broad range of sample preparation facilities. However, much of our work continues to be centred on 13C/12C and 18O/16O analysis of carbonates, 18O/16O and D/H analysis of ice cores and contemporary waters, 13C/12C and C/N analysis of organics and 18O/16O, 30Si/28Si and 29Si/28Si analysis of biogenic silica, as well as analysing an array of solid, aqueous and gas samples for measurement of ammonium sulphate (for ammonium or nitrate 15N/14N), barium sulphate (for sulphate 34S/32S and 18O/16O), collagen (for bone 13C/12C and 15N/14N), hair keratin (13C/12C and 15N/14N), silver nitrate (for

nitrate 15N/14N and 18O/16O), silver phosphate (for phosphate 18O/16O), and silver sulphide (for whole rock or sulphide 34S/32S) for pollution and archaeological studies.

The facility has the benefit of skilled technical staff that keep the instrumentation running and provide the majority of the analytical output. Output continues to be high. Long term skilled technical support is vital for the maintenance of the aging SIRA and Optima mass spectrometry systems. The SIRA and two Optimas are running almost continuously, and both have a number of problems related to age and heavy usage. However, there were no substantial losses of analysis time through equipment failure of these instruments.

A new IsoPrime 100 for microcarbonate analysis was co-funded through capital and University of Nottingham for very high precision foraminifera and octracod carbonate 13C/12C and 18O/16O. Installation and performance testing is still underway. NIGL is now undertaking the analytical programme of water 2H/1H, 18O/16O and DIC 13C/12C supporting BGS hydrology at Wallingford.

Staffing of the facility is much the same with 2 senior scientists (1 band 3 and a part time band 4), 4 at band 6, and 1 band 7. In addition we have one rolling isotope apprentice position (band 7).

We have also made good progress in developing the methods for extracting phosphate from waters and solids for processing to silver phosphate for 18O/16O analysis, with a wide range of potential applications in soil and water studies including understanding provenance and flow paths of anthropogenic phosphates. Other new non-traditional stable isotope method are being developed ie: selenium and selenate-oxygen isotopes in studies of toxicity and agricultural deficiency in developing countries; and iron isotopes in studies of its micronutrient effect in Polar regions, and its redox-related controls on the mobilisation of nutrients and toxic metals. We feel the need to develop research into the use of isotopes in understanding the interaction between groundwater, CO2 and methane in potential CCS/Fracking lithologies. Establishing natural baselines as well as using isotopes to inform on origins and reactions of the gases. Grants that we continue to work on include:

NERC Standard Grant: A 500,000-year environmental record from Chew Bahir, south Ethiopia: testing hypotheses of climate-driven human evolution, innovation, and dispersal. NERC Standard grant: Silicon isotope records of recent environmental change and anthropogenic pollution from Lake Baikal, Baikal. NERC Consortium Grant: The Mid-Palaeozoic Biotic Crisis - Setting the Trajectory of Tetrapod Evolution. NERC Small grant: Critically testing the role of delta-30 Si[diatom] as a novel productivity signal in temperate lakes. AHRC Grant: Dama International: fallow deer and European society 4000 BC - AD 1600.

7.2 Plasma Ionisation and Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry

The plasma and thermal ionisation mass spectrometry facilities undertake research in uranium-thorium-lead geochronology, environmental isotope tracer studies, and science-based archaeology, and share access to the following resources:

i. Plasma ionisation mass spectrometry laboratory, housing three laser ablation systems (two 193nm Excimer and one 193nm Nd:YAG from New Wave Research), two multicollector plasma-ionisation mass spectrometers (Nu Instruments Nu Plasma HR and Thermo Scientific Neptune Plus), and a single-collector sector-field mass spectrometer (Nu Instruments AttoM).

ii. Thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) laboratory, housing two Thermo-Electron Triton mass spectrometers. A c. 1989 Finnigan MAT262 instrument resides in the TIMS lab but is not in working condition and there are no plans to return it to active service.

iii. Clean chemical laboratory suite, comprising dedicated laboratories for: (1) U-Th-Pb geochronology; (2) Sr, Nd, Pb, and Hf tracer isotope chemistry (also used for DU chemistry when required); (3) Sr and O-isotope chemistry for science-based archaeology; and (4) U-Series analysis.

iv. A separate laboratory for microwave dissolution and handling of high-pressure dissolution vessels for U-Th-Pb geochronology.

v. A microscopy lab with binocular and petrographic - differential interference contrast microscopes with networked digital camera system.

vi. A carbonate and phosphate sample preparation lab equipped with binocular microscopes and a New Wave Micromill.

vii. Rock crushing and mineral separation laboratories

The strength of the facility lies in the complimentary application of Plasma-Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (PIMS) and Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (TIMS), which together allow us to generate high precision isotope data for a wide range of geochronology and tracer studies. U-Th-Pb geochronology forms an important part of our work, using isotope dilution TIMS analysis for the highest precision applications and PIMS for rapid laser-ablation analysis at high spatial resolution. We undertake a wide range of isotope tracer analyses (87Sr/86Sr, 143Nd/144Nd, 176Hf/177Hf, common Pb, depleted uranium) in environmental, archaeological, and geological studies, using both plasma- and thermal-ionisation mass spectrometry as appropriate based on capability, i.e. sample through-put, using the technique with the highest ionization efficiency of the element of interest, etc.

Grants that we continue to work on include: NERC Standard grant “Sharpening the U-Th chronometer through technical developments and community implementation” with Oxford and Bristol.

NERC Standard grant “Dust storms and Chinese loess sources over the last 22 million years” with Birkbeck College and Royal Holloway.

NERC Standard grant: “Silicon isotope records of recent environmental change and anthropogenic pollution from Lake Baikal, Baikal” with Nottingham University.

NERC Standard grant: “4He/3He laser microprobe analysis: a disruptive new technology for in-situ U-Th-He thermochronology” with University College London.

NERC Standard grant: “Impact of global disturbances on the evolution of life in the polar regions during the early Cenozoic (PALEOPOLAR)” with British Antarctic Survey, Leeds University, Bristol University and Oxford University.

7.2.1 Plasma Ionisation Mass Spectrometry

Another busy year saw the Neptune MC-ICP-MS and Attom SC-SF-ICP-MS running to capacity. The Nu Plasma HR continued to provide capability for LA U-Pb overflow work from the Attom and single-pulse U-Pb work, with some U-series and high-precision U isotopes where the work was not sample limited, along with Pb isotope (SBA) and non-traditional stable isotope work where required.

Key applications this year have been: LA U-Pb analysis of accessory minerals, speleothems and other carbonates, solution and LA U-series of carbonates, depleted uranium on urine, U isotopes on particles, Si isotopes of sea waters and Hf isotopes both by LA (zircon) and solution (whole rock) for crustal growth studies. These will continue to be the major foci of research for the coming year.

All instruments have performed well but slightly less reliably than in the previous year, with all of the problems solved in-house by NIGL & BGS staff. There have been minor periods of downtime for maintenance and running repairs including blown turbo pumps, failed sensors, chillers, and repairs to torch boxes. In the coming year the Neptune will require service of its interface turbo (to pre-empt critical failure) and will run at reduced sensitivities during this period (ca. 1-2 months) using a replacement rotary pump.

7.2.2 Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry

The TIMS laboratory Triton mass spectrometers continued to perform relatively reliably, but slightly less reliably than in the previous year, with all of the problems solved in-house by NIGL staff. Triton 1 was installed in 2003 and is the workhorse instrument for Sr and Nd, particularly for science-based archaeology, and environmental and solid-earth geochemistry. Triton 2 dates from 2006 and is responsible for the entire load of high precision ID-TIMS U-Pb work. Triton 1 is now developing hardware faults that require addressing by factory engineers and it is anticipated that a major overhaul will be required within the next two years. Triton 2 continues to operate efficiently and reliably but very much at full capacity. Productivity levels were lower compared to 2013-2014 due to infrastructure issues that resulted in elevated Pb blank levels that were above the level required for typical single crystal/fragment zircon work. It must be stressed that any increase in the U-Pb program will be contingent upon additional new mass spectrometry resources becoming available. Triton 2 access is at an absolute premium, although the main limiting factor is now staff time as several post-doc fellows and PhD students who were very intense users have now finished their data collection phase. As in previous years, very high quality measurements continue to be made on this instrument which greatly benefits from the exceptional secondary electron multiplier system (SEM) that is currently installed. Some SEM degradation is apparent but only slightly increased over the previous FY, mainly related to modest increases in dark noise, but no intervention is required at this stage.

High precision U-Pb chronology using chemical abrasion ID-TIMS continues to be the most intensive activity in the TIMS laboratory, and a hallmark research focus of NIGL. Mass spectrometry capacity, clean chemistry laboratory processing

capability, and staff are absolutely at saturation point after accounting for minor downtime through mass spectrometer component failure and essential laboratory maintenance. In addition to the significant contributions to high precision chronology (igneous geochemistry, geological timescale research) and standard mineral calibrations supporting LA-ICPMS research in 2014-2015, Quaternary U-Pb carbonate geochronology projects continue to grow in relative importance regarding dedication of lab and staff resources. Projects included speleothem chronology, particularly for those near the crossover point of U-Th and U-Pb capability, fossil hominids, and vein filling carbonates. Development work for very high precision Pb-Pb dating of meteoritic materials (chondrules, CAI’s) stalled in FY ’14-’15 due to capacity issues (staff and physical laboratory space) related to the DU project, but will continue during FY ’15-‘16. As a result of staff changes Condon has lost ~50% of his capacity to NIGL GTF leadership and broader work across BGS, and this has been compounded by the DU project requiring more resource than planned, impacting some aspects of the U-Pb ID-TIMS laboratory capability. Isotope Apprentice Simon Tapster has rapidly develop a lead role in the U-Pb ID-TIMS laboratory.

Analytical output (1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015)

Type of analysis No. of analyses % standards

Plasma Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (PIMS)

Laser ablation U-Pb carbonate 5701 30

Laser ablation trace elements 1250 44

Solution trace element analyses 400 30

U-series geochronology & high precision U 2540 512

Si isotopes 970 531

Solution Hf (including zircon washes) 336 40

Solution Lu 180 30

Laser ablation Hf 3988 45

Laser ablation U-Th-Pb (accessory minerals) 8216 (+16 days single

pulse U/U-Pb work =

ca.3200 detrital U-

Pb)

50

Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (TIMS)

U-Pb – Triton 2 1100 202

Sr –Triton 1 888 10

Nd – Triton 1 385 8

Sm – Triton 1 327 5

Rb – Triton 1 89 6

1 includes method set-up

2Includes total procedural blanks and standards associated with normal geochronology batches and extensive tests on loading blanks, reagent blanks, standards run (automatically, overnight) to verify and long-term monitor performance; for U-series standards this includes standards used for sample-standard bracketing and long-term performance monitoring.

Annex 8 Finance 2014-15

Annual spend v income for the NIGFSC-funded portion of NIGL (~60% capacity).

Income Category (£, 000s)

Baseline allocation from Services and Facilities 1320.0

Minor Capital approved by Facilities and Services Swindon (check final amount on SSC)

25.0

Capital income from NERC3 0.0

Carry-over funds from previous fiscal year 0.0

Total Income 1345.0

Indirect costs transferred to BGS 630.0

Minor capital approved annually, actual cost 0.0

Major capital balance outstanding 13.0

Salaries incl. SA and NI payments, S&F allocation (60% of NIGL capacity) 538.0

Laboratory recurrent including T&S, from S&F allocation 135.0

Total expenses 1316.0 Balance to carry over to FY 2014-15 (nearest £20k as of 1 April ’14) 0.0

Note 1:- These figures do not include additional commission/grants/administrative funding support that are outside of the funding envelope for NIGL, according to the revised funding algorithm as enshrined in the current Service Level Agreement.

Note 2:- effective budget cut to NIGL due to loss of funds associated with the previous Director.

Note 3:- £25K capital approved for upgrade of fluorination line.

Annex 9: Service Management 2014-15 University employees (not/partial supported by S&F allocation) Prof Randall R Parrish, Professor of Isotope Geology & Head of NIGL (80% secondment via contract between NERC/BGS and University of Leicester to manage NIGL and conduct collaborative project research). (until May 2014) Prof Melanie J Leng, Professor Isotope Geosciences, University of Nottingham Science Director of the NIGL Stable Isotope Facility (NIGL-SIF). (from April 2014) Director of the Centre for Environmental Geochemistry (CEG), BGS-University of Nottingham. (from April 2014) Administrative support (not supported by S&F allocation) Mrs Béatrice I Bullock-von Moos, PA to Prof RR Parrish. (until May 2014) Business Administrator to NIGL & CEG. (from June 2014) Administrator to NIGFSC. Secretary to Centre Management Board to the-CEG. (from January 2015) Open-ended employees of NERC (British Geological Survey) supported in part by S&F allocation Ms Carol Arrowsmith, Band 6, Isotope Scientist. Dr Nicola Atkinson, Band 7, Isotope Support Scientist Dr Sarah Bennett, Band 6, Isotope Scientist. (until April 2015) Dr Dan Condon, Band 4, Research Scientist. (until May 2014) Head of Chronology Research. Dr Dan Condon, Band 3, Research Scientist. (from June 2014) Science Director of NIGL Geochronology & Tracers Facility (NIGL-GTF). (from June 2014) Prof Jane Evans, Band 4, Research Scientist. Head of Science-based Archaeology. Special Professor in Archaeological Sciences, University of Nottingham. Dr Tim Heaton, Band 4, Research Scientist. Dr Matt Horstwood, Band 4, Research Scientist. Ms Johnston Mhairi, Band 7, Isotope Support Scientist Mr Chris Kendrick, Band 7, Isotope Support Scientist. Dr Angela Lamb, Band 6, Isotope Scientist. (until August 2014) Dr Angela Lamb, Band 5, Research Scientist. (from September 2014) Prof Melanie Leng, B3 equivalent, Research Scientist. (from 1.4.14) Dr Ian Millar, Band 4, Research Scientist. Radiogenic Isotope Facility Manager. Secretary to NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee. Dr Stephen Noble, Band 4, Research Scientist. Ms Vanessa Pashley, Band 6, Isotope Support Scientist. Dr Nicholas Roberts, Band 6, ICP-MS Laboratory Manager. Ms Hilary Sloane, Band 6, Isotope Scientist. Ms Carlyn Stewart, Band 7, Isotope Support Scientist Mr Adrian Wood, Band 8, Isotope Support Scientist. Other isotope staff based at NIGL Dr Noah McLean, NERC Grant Research Scientist (Aug 2011-May 2014). Dr Andrea Snelling, NERC Grant Research Scientist (Nov 2013-May 2014). Dr Jonathan Dean, Scientific and Technical Support Scientist (Jan 2014-Feb 2015 / Isotope Apprentice). Dr Jonathan Dean, NERC Grant Research Scientist (Mar 2015-Feb 2017). Dr Simon Tapster, Scientific and Technical Support Scientist (Dec 2013-Nov 2015 / Isotope Apprentice). Dr Diana Sahy, Scientific and Technical Support Scientist (Oct 2012-Oct 2015). Dr Andrew Smith, Scientific and Technical Support Scientist (Feb 2015-Jan 2017 / Isotope Apprentice). Dr Christopher Spencer, Scientific and Technical Support Scientist (Nov 2013-May 2015 / Isotope Apprentice).

Affiliated University/BGS PhD Students based at NIGL (not supported by S&F allocation) Dr Virginia Panizzo, Post Doctorial Fellow, University of Nottingham (Oct 2008-Apr 2015). Mr Jack Lacey, NERC-BUFI Student, University of Nottingham (Jan 2014-Oct 2015). Mr Peter Scott, NERC-BUFI Student, University of Exeter (Oct 2013-Oct 2016). Dr Jianghai Yang, Visiting Scientist, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China (Feb 2015-Jan 2016). BGS Honorary Research Associates (not supported by S&F allocation) Mrs Carolyn Chenery (February 2010-January 2016). Mrs D P Fiona Darbyshire (August 2006- September 2015). Prof Sarah E. Metcalfe (November 2008-September 2016). Dr Robert J Pankhurst (March 2002-September 2015). Dr Tom Shepherd (February 2003-September 2014) Dr Andrea Snelling (June 2014-May 2015)

Annex 10: OPMs not covered elsewhere

10.1 School activities

NIGL continued to support work experience students visiting the laboratories. During 2014/2015, two work experience students were hosted.

10.3 Public awareness / media Web-based public dissemination Dean, J.R, Leng, M.J., Mackay, A.W. 2014. Can isotopes help define the Anthropocene? Climatica (web based climate science and public interaction initiative). Leng, M.J., and Dean, J. 2014. Oxygen isotopes and lakes. Climatica (web based climate science and public interaction initiative). Lewis, J., Leng, M. 2014. Snail shells provide detailed records of environmental change. Climatica (web based climate science and public interaction initiative).

Various NIGL staff have contributed to the development of the Wikibook

Blogs that appeared on the BGS GeoBlogy website in 2014 (http://britgeopeople.blogspot.co.uk/)

Melanie Leng, 2014, The mass exodus of geoscientists to Vienna. Jack Lacey (PhD student), 2014, BUFI Science Festival. Sarah Roberts (PhD student), 2014, Using carbon isotopes to study Lake Baikal. Jonathan Dean, 2014, Isotopes add to ‘Anthropocene’ debate. Jack Lacey (PhD student), 2014, Paper pride. Sarah Bennett, 2014, One of our ecological footprints. Jack Lacey (PhD student), 2014, Lake Ohrid project team ASSEMBLE. Andi Smith, 2014, Caves and Climate Change. Melanie Leng, 2014, Nitrogen and the Anthropocene. Rowan Dejardin(PhD student) , 2014, South Georgia and ancient algal blooms. Jonathan Dean, 2014, Reading the signals in sediments. Sonja Felder (PhD student), 2014, Life in our ancient oceans. Melanie Leng, 2014, Environmental Change Exchange. Mark Stevenson (PhD student), 2014, Potential impacts of shale gas exploitation on groundwater. Ginnie Panizzo, 2014, Talking Isotopes, state side. Mark Stevenson (PhD student), 2014, Ancient carbon beneath frozen Arctic lakes. Ash Parton (PhD student), 2014, Was Arabia once a lush paradise? Niklas Hausmann (PhD student), 2014, Prehistoric eating habits. Angela Lamb and Jane Evans contributed to the following interviews after publication of the study on Richard III’s diet: ‘Richard III: The new evidence’ Channel 4 TV – 17/8/14 ‘Secrets of the Dead’ PBS TV (USA) – 24/9/14 CNN international news - 15/8/14 AAAS - Science Update – podcast – 25/8/14 New York Times- 27/8/14 ITN Central news – 17/8/14 Chemistry World magazine – 18/8/14 Chemistry World Scientist Profile – 22/9/14 Current Archaeology – 19/8/14 Analytical Scientist Magazine – 29/8/14

Elsevier Connect – 18/8/14 CBC/USA national radio BBC Radio Leicester – 15/8/14 Smooth FM – 15/8/14 National Geographic Weekend – 19/10/14

The story featured widely in the press, including: The Times The Telegraph BBC News on-line CNN News Science Scientific American New York Times NBC News Sky News Outreach: Planet Earth News - ‘Isotopes reveal the diet of a King.’ 17 Aug 2014

10.4 Committee Representation

Dr T H E Heaton NERC Peer Review College (2011-present). Prof M J Leng Editorial board for Quaternary Science Reviews (2004-present). Editorial board for Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems (2011-2014). NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee (Ex-officio). International Continental scientific Drilling Programme (ICDP) UK convenor (2012-present). Member of the International Continental scientific Drilling Programme (ICDP) Executive Committee (2012-present). Quaternary Research Association member 2013-present. Core Panel Member, NERC Peer Review College (2014-present). Member of the International Continental scientific Drilling Program (ICDP)-International Ocean Discovery Program (IOPD)/European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD) outreach task force (2014-present). Prof R R Parrish Earth Sciences Panel Expert, Norwegian Research Council (2005- present). Editor, Precambrian Research (2007-present). Dr M S A Horstwood Member of the Editorial Board for Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research (2010-present). Vice President of the International Association of Geoanalysts (2012-2015). Dr I L Millar Editorial Board for Journal of the Geological Society Dr N Roberts Principal Investigator on the International Continental Drilling Program (ICDP) project – Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides (COSC) (2013-present). Member of the Editorial Board, Geoscience Frontiers (2013-present). Guest Editor, Precambrian Research (2014-present). Committee member, Metamorphic Studies Group (2014-present).

Secretary for the International Association of Gondwana Research (2014-present). Dr D J Condon Stratigraphy Commission of the Geological Society of London (2010 to present). GW4 Management Committee (2013-present) NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee (Ex-officio). Prof J A Evans Chartered Geologist, Scrutineer for the Geological Society of London (2010-present).

Pag

e 35

Annex 11: Projects supported 2014-15

Stage reached : N = not started; 1 = field work done; 2 = samples received; 3 = sample prep. completed; 4 = analytical work started; 5 = 50% analyses completed; 6 = analytical work completed; 7 = report completed; 8 = completed Costs are calculated using 2014/14 time allocation reports and the 2014/15 TAR cost and include costs for capital depreciation and infrastructure. Please note: This report does not include NIGL method development/innovation, public understanding of science, institute projects and training programme.

Project number

Short title Project leader University / Institute NIGFSC number

N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Staff Time

Cost £'s/k

University projects approved by NIGFSC

20431 Bedrock nitrogen Dr A J Hodson University of Sheffield IP-850-0505 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 30.00 10.628

20476 Mangrove species diversity Dr H Kennedy Bangor University IP-928-1106 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 24.00 8.502

20529 Biogeochemistry of the Mars Oasis ecosystem, Antarctica

Dr A J Hodson University of Sheffield IP-1041-0508 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 50.00 17.713

20545 South Africa speleothems Dr P Hopley University College London IP-1065-1108 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 16.00 5.668

20579 Speleothems as records of environmental change

Prof J E Andrews University of East Anglia IP-1136-1109 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 16.00 5.668

20593 Mingulay Reef Geochron Dr M Elliot University of Edinburgh IP-1222-1110 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 14.00 4.960

20594 Ikaite Dr H Kennedy Bangor University IP-1170-0510 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 4.00 1.417

20599 Diatoms, productivity, lakes Dr D Ryves Loughborough University IP-1181-0510 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 19.00 6.731

20600 Tethyan ophiolites Dr G R T Jenkin University of Leicester IP-1182-0510 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 34.00 12.045

20602 South China porcelain Prof J Henderson University of Nottingham IP-1185-0510 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 30.00 10.628

20603 Famine and plague Dr J Montgomery University of Bradford IP-1188-0510 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 10.00 3.543

20605 Oman / UAE ophiolite Dr C J MacLeod Cardiff University IP-1193-1110 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 26.00 9.211

20606 Iberian speleothems Dr P Wynn Lancaster University IP-1196-1110 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 67.00 23.735

20607 Holocene climate, Cappadocia Dr M D Jones University of Nottingham IP-1198-1110 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 32.00 11.336

20608 When and how did the Lesser Himalaya exhume?

Dr Y Najman Lancaster University IP-1199-1110 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 4.00 1.417

20609 Aleutian Low, southern Alaska Dr A Henderson University of Glasgow IP-1202-1110 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 87.12 30.863

20611 Oxygen isotopes in cysts Dr G Swann NIGL IP-1204-1110 ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ 2.00 0.709

20612 Impacts of nitrogen deposition Dr M Mencuccini University of Edinburgh IP-1205-1110 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 60.00 21.256

Pag

e 36

20617 Improving resolution of LA-ICPMS Dr B Sharp Loughborough University IP-1218-1110 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 0.00 0.000

20618 SE Atlantic Pliocene Dr E McClymont University of Newcastle IP-1219-1110 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 31.16 11.039

20620 U-Pb speleothem chronology, NW Borneo

Dr D Richards University of Bristol IP-1284-1111 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 19.50 6.908

20621 Changing environmental contexts of the earliest animal evolution

Dr M Brasier University of Oxford IP-1329-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □

52.00 18.422

20624 Holocene Cappadocia Dr M D Jones University of Nottingham IP-1237-0511 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 8.00 2.834

20625 Mid-Miocene optimum Dr B Wade University of Leeds IP-1239-0511 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 14.00 4.960

20626 Formation of Antarctic ice Dr B Hubbard Aberystwyth University IP-1244-0511 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 3.75 1.328

20632 Testing Si and O in lakes Dr D Ryves Loughborough University IP-1256-0511 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 10.00 3.543

20633 Tyrone ophiolite emplacement Dr M Cooper British Geological Survey IP-1260-0511 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 26.70 9.459

20637 Herding at Catalhoyuk Dr J Pearson University of Liverpool IP-1266-1111 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 4.00 1.417

20639 Holocene records in Patagonia Dr P Langdon Southampton Oceanography Centre

IP-1271-1111 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 10.00 3.543

20640 Carbon in Arctic lakes Prof M E Edwards University of Southampton IP-1273-1111 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 13.44 4.761

20642 Superfast - Spreading Dr J C Lissenberg Cardiff University IP-1276-1111 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 26.00 9.211

20643 Holocene records, Finnish Lapland

Dr G Wilson University of Portsmouth IP-1277-1111 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 8.72 3.089

20644 Grenville rutile Dr M Krabbendam

British Geological Survey IP-1279-1111 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 30.00 10.628

20645 OAE 2 in Japan Dr D Selby University of Durham IP-1283-1111 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 39.10 13.852

20646 Egyptian mummified tissue pretreatments

Dr R Metcalfe University of Manchester IP-1289-1111 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 20.00 7.085

20647 Crustal melting and the geodynamic evolution of mountain belts

Dr C Warren Open University Application outstanding

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □

30.00 10.628

20648 Neolithic population in UK Dr J Montgomery University of Durham IP-1290-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 20.00 7.085

20649 Glacial ogives Dr S Cook Aberystwyth University IP-1296-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 2.00 0.709

20650 Critical Paleoceanographic Proxies

Dr K Hendry Cardiff University IP-1298-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 10.00 3.543

20651 Nile Provenance Dr Y Najman Lancaster University IP-1299-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 25.40 8.998

20652 When did the Lesser Himalaya exhume?

Dr Y Najman Lancaster University IP-1300-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 5.80 2.055

Pag

e 37

20653 Sponge spicule calibration Dr C Storey University of Portsmouth IP-1301-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 2.00 0.709

20654 Monastic diet Dr J Pearson University of Liverpool IP-1302-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 4.00 1.417

20655 Romanian mineralisation Dr P J Treloar Kingston University IP-1303-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 16.40 5.810

20656 Norwegian orthopyroxene eclogites

Dr R Burgess University of Manchester IP-1304-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 4.00 1.417

20657 Du and Gulf War Illness Prof R R Parrish University of Leicester IP-1305-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 274.00 97.068

20658 Cu isotopes as redox tracers in ore forming systems

Dr I B Buttler University of Edinburgh IP-1308-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 2.00 0.709

20659 Tree rings in the Amazon Dr R Brienen University of Leeds IP-1314-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 26.00 9.211

20660 Uranium isotopes in 1um UOx particles

Dr B Sharp Loughborough University IP-1315-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 60.00 21.256

20662 Multi-isotope study of crops Dr A Bogaard University of Oxford IP-1322-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 14.00 4.960

20663 Iberian speleothems Dr P Wynn Lancaster University IP-1323-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 32.00 11.336

20664 Ca/Sr in teeth Dr A Millard University of Durham IP-1324-0512 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 4.00 1.417

20668 Subpolar North Atlantic Dr M Chapman University of East Anglia IP-1332-1112 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 2.00 0.709

20670 Agro-pastoral change Dr M R Frogley University of Sussex IP-1334-1112 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 2.00 0.709

20671 Ocean crust hydrothermal Prof D Teagle University of Southampton IP-1336-1112 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 18.00 6.377

20672 End of Snowball Earth Dr A R Prave University of St Andrews IP-1338-1112 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 41.50 14.702

20673 Plio-Pleistocene Pacific Dr E McClymont University of Durham IP-1339-1112 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 22.00 7.794

20675 Orbital climate variability Dr B Wade University of Leeds IP-1345-1112 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 25.24 8.942

20678 North Pacific CO2 Dr A Shevenell University College London IP-1348-1112 ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 2.00 0.709

20679 Lakes from Finnish Lapland Dr G Wilson University of Portsmouth IP-1349-1112 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 14.20 5.031

20680 Plague of Justinian Dr M D Jones University of Nottingham IP-1350-1112 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 13.16 4.662

20681 Pliocene of North Atlantic Dr A L A Johnson University of Derby IP-1351-1112 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 2.60 0.921

20682 How high can you go? Dr J Montgomery University of Durham Application outstanding

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 32.40 11.478

20683 Reconstructing Neolithic Feasts

Dr R Madgwick Cardiff University IP-1361-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 43.60 15.446

20684 Circulation-Antarctica-300 years

Dr L Thomas British Antarctic Survey IP-1362-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 7.00 2.480

20685 Phosphorus in soil Dr M S A Blackwell

Rothamsted Research North Wyke

IP-1363-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 10.00 3.543

Pag

e 38

20686 Phosphate in Beult catchment Dr D Gooddy British Geological Survey - Keyworth

IP-1364-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 39.20 13.887

20687 Correlating pre-Yellowstone super-eruptions

Dr M J Branney University of Leicester IP-1365-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 54.80 19.414

20688 Juvenile accretionary orogens Prof P Cawood University of St Andrews IP-1366-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 101.20 35.851

20689 High altitude glacier melting in Mt Chelmos

Dr R Pope University of Derby IP-1369-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 34.00 12.045

20690 Rheic Ocean Dr T Barry University of Leicester IP-1371-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 22.80 8.077

20691 Phosphate in Taw catchment Dr M S A Blackwell

Rothamsted Research IP-1375-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 30.00 10.628

20692 Pliocene and Pleistocene pluvial periods

Dr D Fleitman University of Reading IP-1376-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 18.00 6.377

20693 iMAPS - The pluton-volcano connection

Dr V Memeti University of Durham IP-1377-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 21.50 7.617

20694 Early Cretaceous carbon Dr G D Price University of Plymouth IP-1378-0513 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 33.60 11.903

20695 Paleocene Eocene warming Dr K Littler University of Exeter IP-1382-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 4.00 1.417

20696 Southern Libya humid phases Dr M Rogerson University of Hull IP-1385-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 2.00 0.709

20697 Carbonatite apatites Dr F Wall University of Exeter IP-1387-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 4.00 1.417

20698 Organic carbon inputs, Arctic Dr A M Anesio University of Bristol IP-1389-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 48.00 17.005

20699 Implications for environmental contamination assessment

Dr W Perkins Aberystwyth University IP-1390-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 32.00 11.336

20700 Carbon cycling - Western Greenland

Dr G Swann University of Nottingham IP-1393-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 13.44 4.761

20702 Shillong plateau, NE India Prof D Mattey Royal Holloway, University of London

IP-1402-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 58.00 20.547

20704 Cumbrian lakes Dr P Barker Lancaster University IP-1407-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 7.20 2.551

20705 Solar System chronology Dr J Darling University of Portsmouth IP-1408-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 10.00 3.543

20706 SW Turkey speleothems Prof J E Andrews University of East Anglia IP-1410-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 46.00 16.296

20707 Southern Ocean seasonality Dr K Hendry University of Bristol IP-1412-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 26.31 9.321

20708 Bering Sea Dr S Kender British Geological Survey IP-1413-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 20.00 7.085

20709 Porphyry copper systems Dr D Selby University of Durham IP-1414-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 59.00 20.901

Pag

e 39

20710 Volcanosedimentary deposits in northernmost Chile

Dr F Cooper University of Bristol IP-1416-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 24.50 8.679

20711 Basement complexes in the central Andes

Dr F Cooper University of Bristol IP-1417-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 6.50 2.303

20712 Porphyry copper deposits / magmatic plumbing

Prof R S J Sparks University of Bristol IP-1415-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 64.50 22.850

20713 Aleutian Low - Alaskan climate Dr A Henderson University of Newcastle IP-1421-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 22.60 8.006

20714 Climate Change /Hominin Evolution, Arabian Desert

Prof M D Petraglia

University of Oxford IP-1405-1113 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 14.00 4.960

20715 Is the hydrological cycle of the Amazon changing?

Dr R Brienen University of Leeds IP-1424-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 46.80 16.579

20716 Atmospheric circulation in West Antarctica, past 300 yrs

Dr L Thomas British Antarctic Survey IP-1425-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 6.00 2.126

20718 Speleothem climate capture of Heinrich cooling, MIS 2-3

Dr P Wynn Lancaster University IP-1439-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 48.00 17.005

20720 U-Series / fault-related degassing / natural CO2 system

Prof M J Bickle University of Cambridge IP-1441-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 80.00 28.341

20721 Earliest farming communities / SW Iran

Dr M D Jones University of Nottingham IP-1442-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 25.60 9.069

20722 Neolithic animal management and mobility, Greece

Dr A Bogaard University of Oxford IP-1447-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 11.76 4.166

20723 Implications for global Climate and deep-water Habitats

Dr L F Robinson University of Bristol IP-1450-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 35.50 12.576

20724 Mozambique Belt, Malawi Prof P Cawood University of St Andrews IP-1453-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 74.20 26.286

20726 Orogenic gold, Liberia Dr J C Andersen University of Exeter IP-1458-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ 18.40 6.518

20727 Climate variability, Gulf of Alaska

Dr A Henderson University of Newcastle IP-1460-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ 42.60 15.092

20729 Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event Prof S Hesselbo University of Exeter IP-1466-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 40.50 14.348

20730 Mélange deposits, Anglesey Dr Schofield British Geological IP-1467-0514 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 10.40 3.684

20731 Crystal-rich silicic magmatic mushes in the central Andes

Dr F Cooper University of Bristol IP-1466-1114 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 61.10 21.645

20733 Early Palaeozoic mantle processes

Dr T Barry University of Leicester IP-1471-1114 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 51.82 18.358

20734 Zircon /intracrustal fractionation Prof P Cawood University of St Andrews IP-1473-1114 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 16.16 5.725

Pag

e 40

20735 Mississippian sea surface temperature seasonality

Prof S Davies University of Leicester IP-1476-1114 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 10.00 3.543

20737 Phosphate oxygen isotopes / mains tap water

Dr D Gooddy British Geological Survey IP-1483-1114 ■ □ □ □ □ ■ ■ ■ ■ 42.00 14.879

20738 Mid-Pleistocene transition in the Sea of Japan

Dr A Henderson University of Newcastle IP-1486-1114 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ 14.20 5.031

20739 Ceramic glazes in northern China and the Middle East

Prof J Henderson University of Nottingham IP-1487-1114 ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 4.00 1.417

20740 Late Quaternary changes in the Westerly Winds, Southern Ocean

Prof D Hodgson British Antarctic Survey IP-1488-1114 ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 2.00 0.709

20742 Methane sources in UK groundwater

Dr E R C Hornibrook

University of Bristol IP-1490-1114 ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 10.00 3.543

20743 The earliest farming communities, SW Iran

Dr M D Jones University of Nottingham IP-1491-1114 ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 15.40 5.456

20744 Late glacial / Holocene climatic and environmental change

Prof A E S Kemp University of Southampton IP-1492-1114 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 18.00 6.377

20745 South Georgia marine ecosystem

Prof M J Leng University of Nottingham IP-1495-1114 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 8.00 2.834

20746 New geochemical records from the South Atlantic and Spain

Dr K Littler University of Exeter IP-1496-1114 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 3.50 1.240

20747 Impact of Mobility on the Transmission of Tuberculosis

Dr J Montgomery University of Durham IP-1499-1114 ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 1.00 0.354

20748 Timing of exhumation of the Eastern Himalayan syntaxis

Dr Y Najman Lancaster University IP-1500-1114 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ 20.80 7.369

20749 Phosphate oxygen fractionation / mineral dissolution

Dr K Olsson-Francis

Open University IP-1501-1114 ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 28.00 9.919

20750 Late Stone Age shellfish / Pinnacle Point, South Africa

Dr C Pickard University of Edinburgh IP-1504-1114 ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 2.00 0.709

20751 Palaeodiets of British Late Pleistocene carnivores / prey

Prof D Schreve Royal Holloway, University of London

IP-1512-1114 ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 10.20 3.613

20752 South Orkney Ice cap using δ18O diatom isotopes

Dr J Smith British Antarctic Survey IP-1514-1114 ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ 2.00 0.709

20753 Disko Island, western Greenland

Dr G Swann University of Nottingham IP-1516-1114 ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ 12.96 4.591

Annex 12: Visiting Scientists and Students

Visiting Scientists and Students Facility

Aguraiuja, Ülle University of Edinburgh (PhD Student)

Bode, Leslie University of Nottingham (PhD Student)

Bonsall, Clive (Prof) University of Edinburgh

Doherty, Sean University of Nottingham (PhD Student)

Flower, Lucy (Dr) Royal Holloway, University of London (PhD Student)

Foxhall, Lin (Prof) University of Leicester

Grau-Sologestoa, Idoia (Dr) University of Nottingham

Hearing, Tom University of Leicester (PhD Student)

Hemer, Katie (Dr) University of Sheffield

Jones, Matthew (Dr) University of Nottingham

Lauder, Charlotte (Ashby School School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch / Teacher)

Lewis, Jon (Dr) University of Loughborough

Livarda, Alex (Dr) University of Nottingham

Lockley, Esther (Ashby School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch / Teacher))

Lomax, Barry (Dr) University of Nottingham

Madgwick, Richard (Dr) Cardiff University

Miller, Holly (Dr) University of Nottingham (Post Doc)

Nitsch, Erika (Dr) University of Oxford (Post Doc)

Orengo, Hector (Dr) University of Sheffield

Pearson, Jessica (Dr) University of Liverpool

Poole, Kristopher (Dr) University of Sheffield

Roberts, James University of Nottingham (PhD Student)

Ryves, David (Dr) University of Loughborough

Santana-Sagredo, Francesca University of Oxford (PhD Student)

Schreve, Danielle (Prof) Royal Holloway, University of London

Schreve, Pierre (Dr) Royal Holloway, University of London

Stephenson, Mark University of Nottingham (PhD Student)

Sykes, Naomi (Dr) University of Nottingham

Wright, K ITV Central, Birmingham

Regan, Heather British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge (PhD Student)

Entwistle, Graham Isoprime, Cheadle

Bourne, David ProVac Services, Crewe

Baker, Thomas University of St Andrews (PhD Student)

Darnall, Rosemary University of Birmingham (PhD Student)

Anderson, Morton (Dr) ETH, Zurich, Switzerland

Lepland, Aivo (Prof) Geological Survey Norway, Trondheim, Norway

Cremier, Antoine (Dr) Geological Survey Norway, Trondheim, Norway


Faust, Johan Geological Survey Norway, Trondheim, Norway (PhD Student)

Storn, Melissa University of Oxford (PhD Student)

Levell, Brucw (Prof) University of Oxford

Hooker, John (Dr) University of Oxford

Mason, Andrew (Dr) University of Oxford

Matthews, Jack University of Oxford (NERC CASE Student)

Richards, David (Dr) University of Bristol

Aslin, Joseph University of Bristol (MSc Student)

Perkins, Rebecca University of Bristol (PhD Student)

Scott, Peter University of Cambridge (BUFI Student)

Yang, Jianghai (Dr) China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China

Yang, Li University of Durham (PhD Student)

Band, Adrian University of Leicester (PhD Student)

Barry, Tiffany (Dr) University of Leicester (NERC Fellowship)

Bird, Anna (Dr) Royal Holloway, University of London

Blake-Mizen, Keziah University of Exeter (PhD Student)

Blaney, Tamsin Lancaster University (PhD Student)

Burton-Johnson, Alex (Dr) British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge

Fielding, Laura Lancaster University (CASE Student)

Ralph, George University of Leicester (Mphil Student)

Reichow, Marc (Dr) University of Leicester

Riley, Teal (Dr) British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge

Zhuang, Guangsheng (Dr) Lancaster University

Battista, Vince University of Durham (MSc Student)

Bonsall, L University of Edinburgh (PhD Student)

Comer, S University of Birmingham

Duckworth, Chloe (Dr) University of Leicester (Post-Doc)

Ellison, Ruaridh University of Durham (MSc Student)

Filider-Ogden, Kori University of Durham (MSc Student)

Folwer, Tom University of Nottingham (PhD Student)

Guénod, A University of Leicester (PhD Student)

Hillson, Simon (Prof) University College London

Johnson, Lucie J University of Durham (NERC CASE Student)

McLellan, Elise University of Durham (MSc Student)

Montgomery, Janet (Dr) University of Durham

Nagy, Victoria University of Durham (MSc Student)

Shen, Jmgyi University of Nottingham (PhD Student)

Vaiglova, Petra University of Oxford (PhD Student)

Waterworth, Jessica University of Durham (MSc Student)


Zalasiewicz, Jan (Dr) University of Leicester

Dickens, William British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge (PhD Student)

Darling, James (Dr) University of Plymouth

Fischer, Sebastian University of St Andrews (PhD Student)

White, Lee University of Plymouth (PhD Student)

Anderson, John (Prof) University of Loughborough

Bailey, Geoff (Prof) University of Newcastle

Baker, Phil (Prof) Lancaster University

Benfield-Dexter, Anastasia (Ratcliffe College, Ratcliffe-on-Trent / Work Experience Student)

Bennett, Carys (Dr) University of Leicester (Post-Doc)

Cambie, Giulia (Dr) Bangor University (Post Doc)

Davies, Sarah (Prof) University of Leicester

Deeprose, Laura Lancaster University (BUFI Student)

Dejardin, Rowan University of Nottingham (BUFI Student)

Detlef, Henrieka Cardiff University (BUFI Student)

Emanuele, Dario (Dr) Sannio University, Benveneto, Italy

Emmings, Joe University of Leicester (BUFI Student)

Felder, Sonja University of Newcastle (BUFI Student)

Hywel, George (Dr) Plastic Buddha Productions Ltd, Bristol

Hausmann, Niklaus University of York (PhD Student)

Hollyman, Phil Bangor University (PhD Student)

Jourdan, Anne-Lise (Dr) University College London

Lacey, Jack University of Nottingham (BUFI Student)

Lake, Janice (Dr) University of Nottingham

Littler, Kate (Dr) University of Exeter, Penryn

Kirke, Martin Natural Environment Research Council, Swindon (Director of People and Skills)

Mason, Richard University of Nottingham (BSc Student)

McCarthy, Ian (Dr) Bangor University

Metcalfe, Sarah (Prof) University of Nottingham

Mikis, Anna Cardiff University (PhD Student)

Nelson-Viljoen, Cindy University of Edinburgh (PhD Student)

Nolan, Leah University of Leicester (BUFI Student)

Panizzo, Virginia (Dr) University of Nottingham (Post Doc)

Parker, Adrian (Prof) University of Oxford

Pickard, Catriona (Dr) University of Edinburgh

Pike, Jennifer (Dr) Cardiff University

Roberts, Sarah University of Nottingham (PhD Student)

Shaw, George (Prof) University of Nottingham


Smith, Andrew Lancaster University (NERC CASE Student)

Swann, George (Dr) University of Nottingham

Wright, Katherine (Dr) Natural Environment Research Council, Swindon (Head of Research)

Wynn, Peter (Dr) Lancaster University

Wright, Amy (Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Ashbourne / Work Experience Student)

Gardiner, Nicholas (Dr) University of Oxford (Post Doc)

Jacob, Joachim (Prof) University of Bergen, Norway

Lamont, Tom University of Oxford (PhD Student)

Tänäselia, Claudiu (Dr) National R&D Institute for Optoelectronics – INOE 2000, Bucharest, Romania

Warren, Clare (Dr) Open University, Milton Keynes (NERC Fellowship)

Bracciali, Laura (Dr) Getech, Leeds

Bryant, Charlotte (Dr) Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride

Hopkinson, Tom Open University, Milton Keynes (NERC CASE Student)

Mottram, Catherine Open University, Milton Keynes (NERC CASE Student)

Stone, Abigail (Dr) University of Manchester

Langdon, Ryan University of Exeter, Penryn (PhD Student)

Govin, Gwladys Lancaster University (PhD Student)

Peckover, Emily University of East Anglia, Norwich (PhD Student)

Annex 13: Training

In this Annex we outline discrete training activities which have been carried out during 2014-15. These are in addition to the training delivered to specific early stage researchers (post-graduate and post-doctoral researchers) through NIGFSC approved projects.

1. Short Courses 1.1 Geochronology Short Course. 27 participants attended a three day short course (January 28/29/30 2015) at the British Geological Survey. Participants ranged from undergraduate students through to academic staff with a strong proportion being post-graduate researchers. The three day course covered the range of topics in geochronology with a strong focus on U-daughter methods. Day 1 focussed on basic principles and outlines of methods and workflows, day two on issues of calibration and data interpretation and day three was dominated by a ‘geochron clinic’ where all participant talked about their projects, the geochron challenges they are faced with and the group discussed possible ‘treatments’. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive and constructive comments will improve future short courses. Demand from community is sufficient that a similar course will be planned for winter or summer 15/16 however we are keen to work this as part of a coherent strategy for NIGFSC contribution to DTP training and seek input from other facilities. 1.2 IRMM training. Matt Horstwood undertook a three day training course at the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) in ‘Metrology in Chemistry –Training of experts to become TrainMiC® Authorised Trainers’. Having undertaken this training Matt is authorised to deliver the course material, and we plan to include this in future short course delivery endeavours. 1.3 DTP/BUFI student training. A 1 day introduction to isotope geochemistry (stable and radiogenic isotopes) for ~20 new PhD students associated with BGS British Universities Funding Initiative.

2. Online materials 2.1 Climatica articles. Climatica is a web based climate science and public interaction initiative to disseminate information to non-specialists (http://climatica.org.uk/): Dean, J.R, Leng, M.J., Mackay, A.W. 2014. Can isotopes help define the Anthropocene? Climatica. Leng, M.J., and Dean, J. 2014. Oxygen isotopes and lakes. Climatica. Lewis, J., Leng, M. 2014. Snail shells provide detailed records of environmental change. Climatica. 2.2 Wikibook – Introduction to Radioisotope Geochronology. An effort has been underway to develop online training materials to augment the hands-on and classroom based training delivered by NIGL and other facilities. 3. Isotope Apprentices SIF. Currently there is a rolling Stable Isotope Apprentice. The Stable Isotope Apprentice post is geared towards particular post holders, but involves learning off line and online techniques, wet chemical preparation techniques, mass spectrometry operation, trouble shooting and maintenance, as well as how a laboratory operates including H&S, management and dealing with infrastructure. The scheme has been remarkably successful with past apprentices moving on the academic positions in universities (George Swann, Nottingham), Fellowships (Ewan Woodley, Exeter; Tanya Chong, Imperial), PDRAs (Cath Jex, Sydney; Jonathan Dean, BGS). Apprentices are supported in writing papers from their PhDs and in job applications, they also get scientifically involved in some projects including training of PhD students who visit the lab. GTF. Isotope apprentice posts are deployed within GTF where they are integrated with the group and work as a team member whilst undertaking advance training in mass spectrometry and in areas of specialist application (e.g., U-Th geochronology). Training is done by doing, and IAs are involved in all aspects of the work flow, from basic repairs, trouble shooting, routine maintenance, to niche application studies aimed at applications which benefit from analytical challenges. We fund at least one post and if possible use commissioned research fund to support other IA posts, support publication of thesis research but strongly encourage publication of new IA research. Like SIF, the success of this programme can be measured by their follow on destinations: Fellowships (Smye - Texas and now NERC Fellow; Spencer - Curtin); Academic positions (Cottle – UCSB; Smye – Penn State); Industry (Lloyd – Thermo) and other (Roberts – BGS).

Appendix 14: Method Development In this appendix we outline the method development work that has been undertaken by both NIGL nodes. Method development work is undertaken in order to advance established methods and develop new capabilities for the improved support of the NERC user community.

Short title Brief Description of work done Resource allocated

Development of U-Th analyses of carbonate by laser ablation MC-ICP-MS.

Method set up on the Neptune+ MC-ICP-MS

Reference material characterisation

Round-robin analyses of samples of known age

Developed for U-Th projects where sample screening would be useful prior to solution mode U-Th analyses

2 weeks

Carbonate U-Pb by laser ablation Further characterisation of in-house reference material

Preparation of manuscript outlining method and reference material characterisation

1 weeks

EarlyTime Reference Materials Mixing of new U-Pb isochron solution series for use as inter- and intra-laboratory reference materials

Calibration of solutions by ID-TIMS

Participation in an international inter-laboratory agreement exercise (workshop held at Houston LPSC March 2015)

Preparation of manuscript outlining methods and results of calibration work (for submission summer 2015)

6 weeks

EARTHTIME Tracer and Age Solution Calibrations

Submission and problematic revision of 2x manuscripts submitted to GCA (1 published, 1 in-review)

Participation in inter-laboratory agreement exercise

Preparation of manuscript outlining methods and results of ‘age solution’ calibration work (for submission summer 2015)

3 weeks

Low volume Hf

Method set-up and testing on Neptune+ to run 200ul (0.5ng) samples at high sensitivity to determine Hf isotopes to high precision

Method set-up and testing on Attom SC-SF-ICP-MS to determine and validate Lu-Hf analyses from zircon washes

Assessment of blanks, data handling and validation

Contribution to paper

4 weeks

Si isotopes for GEOTRACES

MC-ICP-MS analyses to test chemistry procedures to run low Si concentration seawaters

Participation in ILC

Contribution to paper

2 weeks

Stable Sr double spike preparation Procurement of high-purity 87Sr and 84Sr from ORNL

Preparation for double spike mixing to the point of initial dissolution and IC checks

4 days

Depleted Uranium analyses in urine, trying to improve recovery for non-simple matrices

Isotope ratio method setup and validation using Neptune+ MC-ICP-MS

Tests for procedure with and without co-precipitation in order to maximise sample recovery

4 weeks

Stable isotope analysis of <5μg carbonates

Adjust the sensitivity of the mass spectrometer and optimising the running conditions to very small carbonates <5μg

Test reproducibility of a range of standard materials at this level

Test of a range of real samples ie single foraminifera/ostracods etc

Preparation of a report on the adjustments required

6 weeks

Si and O in biogenic silica

Further and ongoing testing of purification methods and mass balancing procedures

2 weeks

Si and O in sponges

Test dehydration of sponge material (desiccation times/temperatures)

Prepare a batches of potential standard sponge material

Investigate spatial differences in isotopes within the sponge structure

Preparation of a manuscript outlining the results

4-6 weeks

Phosphate O in the environment

Further develop clean up techniques for extracting phosphate from waters and solids for processing to silver phosphate for analysis

4 weeks

C and H isotopes in methane

Set up extraction line to separate methane, CO2 and water

Test purity of CO2 gas in the mass spectrometer and reproducibility

1 week

Selenium and selenate-oxygen isotopes

Trial resins for selenate isolation and test for recovery

Develop method to remove co-elutors

Test method to precipitate selenate

Test pre analysis treatments, ie roasting prior to isotope analysis

4-6 weeks

C isotopes in Epipalaeolithic charred grain

Test is %C maintained and necessary sample size 1 week

Phosphate O in Cambrian conodonts Trial sample size necessary for extracting sufficient phosphate 4 weeks

Appendix 15: Infrastructure Issues In this section we outline infrastructure issues which impact quality and capacity of the NIGL analytical work flow. Infrastructure Issues (2014-2015)

Issue Impact on analytical programme Action taken

Clean lab suite degradation: Cracks in seals of laminar flow hoods in clean lab suite; Rust developing on light fixtures within laminar flow hoods.

The main impact is on the U-Pb ID-TIMS laboratory where the lowest levels of background contamination, blank, is required. This is essential for a number of current projects where the amounts of radiogenic Pb available for analyses is low (<1 pg) due to the young age of the samples, and/or the small sample size.

Increased blank levels due to infrastructure failings require an increased correction and the uncertainty associated with this correction can yield U-Pb date uncertainties to be so significant that the data are of little use.

~8 week of effort has been ‘lost’ due to the time taken to identify source of contamination (i.e., cracks in light fixtures, rusting fixtures) and repeat analyses of blank-sensitive samples.

Additional sealant was applied to main seals at the time of scheduled laboratory maintenance

BGS facilities informed of issues related to degrading laboratory infrastructure and potential future options discussed

Additional sealant and rust repair has carried on throughout the year, albeit in response to elevated exposure blanks

Increased checking of exposure blanks.

The new IsoPrime delivered in February 2014 has not reached the required specification after 14 months of testing

Less small carbonate analyse have been achieved this year.

Commercial work has had to be declined.

Staff have been working with IsoPrime to try to resolve the issue at our expense.

This issue is in the hands of SBS procurement. A decision on whether the instrument is return/replaced and a full refund is given is imminent.

Infrastructure Issues (2015-2016) Issue Impact on analytical programme Action taken

Recognition of hydrocarbon contamination in the Neptune+ source pumping system

Small peaks (few hundreds of counts) appeared around U and Th masses. Peaks were highly reminiscent of hydrocarbon contamination in the TIMS source prior to the use of oil free pumps in the TIMS laboratory. The magnitude of these peaks meant that planned U-Th and DU isotope ratio work could not progress until the source of contamination had been eliminated.

Source pumping system was stripped and oil was found in tubing connecting the …

All turbo pumps were sent to Pfeiffer for a pre-scheduled service

Appendix 16: Small Pilot Projects In this appendix we list all of the informal pilot project that have been undertaken during 2014/15 and are planned for 2015/16. The pilot projects are aimed at developing a small amount of data to demonstrate feasibility prior to NERC funding applications (including NIGFSC). The resource for each project is set as per the NIGFSC guidelines and the total resource as an overall percentage of the NIGL allocation is estimated at ~12%. 2014/15

Short title/Explanation Collaborator Follow up applications/outputs Resource used

U-Pb (zircon) dating of unit within some Aberdeen granite/discrepancy between non-published 40Ar/39Ar and non-published Re-Os molybdenite dates.

Darren Mark, SUERC These three pilot projects are rlated in that they attempt to use U-Pb zircon dating as a test of the of Re-Os geochronology for these systems. These highlight the need for a Re-Os (inter-)calibration project which will require more U-Pb ID-TIMS data input. NIGFSC expected autumn 2015 and NERC/NSF proposal is likely

1 samples, U-Pb (zircon) ID-TIMS

U-Pb (zircon) dating of unit within the Etive pluton/discrepancy between published U-Pb zircon and non-published Re-Os molybdenite dates

David Selby, Durham University


U-Pb zircon of Li Yang (student)/Dave Selby Durham University


GW4+ DTP student project (student started October 2014). Frances Cooper/Becky Perkins (student), Bristol University

NIGFSC submission to support student research planned for Autumn 2015

Mineral separation and sample preparation.

U-Pb dating of fracture filing carbonates in a number of sedimentary basins.

John Hooker, Oxford NIGFSC proposal planned Autumn, 2015, or grant application for further work.

5 samples, U-Pb (carbonate) LA-ICP-MS

Timing of exhumation of the Eastern Himalayan syntaxis. Yani Najman / Gwladys Govin (student), Lancaster University

Pilot study to improve justification for NIGFSC Application, which was approved in November 2014.

Mineral separation. 3 days LA-ICPMS (zircon)

Dating middle-to-late Pleistocene glaciations in southern Greece - there's no dating control whatsoever

Peter Rowe, University of East Anglia

NIGFSC application submitted for May 2015

1 week

Iran early civilization speleothem rangefinder ages

Tim Atkinson, University College London

Leverhulme application and/or NIGFSC in Autumn 2015

1 week

Scourie Dykes and their relationship to the Loch Maree Group with potential implications for the timing of Paleoproteorozic d13C excursions.

Tony Prave, St Andrews

Follow on from NERC standard grant (FAR-DEEP), possible NIGFSC Autumn 2015

3 samples U-Pb ID-TIMS, masters student research experience

Dating late Eocene ash beds from Blake Nose, Texas Bridget Wade, UCL NIGFSC in Autumn 2015 2 samples ID-TIMS

U-Pb dating of Mid-Ocean-Ridge calcite mineralisation Randy Parrish (NIGL) with Laurence Coogan (University of Victoria)

Completion of legacy project, publication expected

3 days

U-Pb dating of carbonatite related lithologies Sam Broom-Fendley, University of Exeter

Tightly focussed question requiring only a small amount of work to support NERC-funded student. Dating provided appropriate solution to problem thereby NIGFSC proposal not required.

3 days

Investigation of the use of DET (Diffusive Equilibrium in Thin-film) gels to collect samples for isotope analysis of nitrate

Stefan Krause, University of Birmingham


4 weeks

The feasibility to determine nitrate isotope composition of Kalahari sands

Abi Stone, University of Manchester


2 weeks

Investigation of the modern hydroclimate cross the Balkans, Lake Ohrid, modern calibration study

Melanie Leng, University of Nottingham on behalf of PhD student Jack Lacey


6 weeks (student time)

Method development for the determination of δ18O values in selenate (SeO42-) for studies into biogeocycling in soils

Sarah Bennett, NIGL Difficulties with method, so unlikely to be continued

6 weeks

Method development for small Epipalaeolithic seeds for d13C analyses

Angela Lamb with PhD student Leslie Bode (University of Nottingham)


1 week

Method development for Cambrian phosphatic conodonts for d18O analyses

Angela Lamb with PhD student Tom Hearing (University of Leicester)


1 week

Pilot to test if differences in d13C/d15N in multi-species fossil bear hair from Europe

Dr Carlo Melero (Liverpool John Moores)

NIGFSC application submitted for Oct 2014

1 week

Sulphur isotopes in Peruvian mummies Julia Lee-Thorpe, Francisca Santana Sagredo(PhD student) (University of Oxford)

NIGFSC application planned for Oct 2015

1 week

2015/16, Planned/Expected Short title/Explanation Collaborator Follow up applications/outputs Resource used

U-Pb (zircon) dating of ash bed from Mochras core and d13C analysis through one ammonite zone.

Steve Hesselbo, Exeter

ICDP and NERC Large Grant applications.

1 sample, U-Pb (zircon) ID-TIMS, 200 d13C

Preliminary dating of intrusive bodies from the Maronia Magmatic Corridor, Greece

Frances Cooper/Becky Perkins (student)


15 zircons by ID-TIMS

Timescales of evolution and environmental change in the Silurian

Mark Williams, Leicester

NIGFSC in Autumn 2015 Mineral separation

Timescales of terrestrial colonisation in the early Devonian Phil Wilby, BGS NIGFSC in Autumn 2015 Mineral separation and assessment of zircons

Dating late Cretaceous climate change Stuart Robinson (Oxford)

NERC Standard grant submission summer 2015 or NIGFSC in Autumn 2015

U-Pb zircon dating of ash beds to test feasibility

Dating Methane Derived Authigenic Carbonates, Norwegian Channel

Tom Bradwell/Stirling

NERC Standard grant submission summer 2015 or NIGFSC in Autumn 2015

Solution mode U-Th on authigenic carbonates.

Dating Methane Derived Authigenic Carbonates, Svalbard Margin

Rachael James, Southampton/NOC

NIGFSC in Autumn 2015 Solution mode U-Th on authigenic carbonates.

U-Th dating of gypsum in a variety of settings. Possible pilot project or perhaps method development.

Scott/Bickle, Cambridge and Jacobs (Bergen)

Technique development with applications to CCS (Cambridge), North Sea seafloor methane release (BGS), potential collaboration on <500 ka Antarctic glaciation. May develop this into an intra-PhD IA post

U-Th (gypsum) similar to U-Th (carbonates). 1 batch?

U-Pb dating of fracture-filling carbonates Nick Roberts (NIGL) Pilot-study for funded ICDP project, NIGFSC submission planned, with external funding possible.

~5 samples, U-Pb LA-ICP-MS

Monazite petrochronology to constrain metamorphic core complex formation

Tom Lamont (student)

NIGFSC in Autumn 2015 ~5 samples, U-Th-Pb monazite LA-ICP-MS

Rates of exhumation, emplacement and unroofing of metamorphic nappe complexes

Clare Warren (OU)/Nick Roberts (NIGL)/Kip Hodges (Arizona)

ICDP funded core samples, pilot study for planned NIGFSC submission

~5 samples, mineral separation, thin section preparation and SEM imaging

NE Indian Speleothems to constrain timing of uplift Sebastian Brietenbach (Cambridge)

NIGFSC in Autumn 2015 ~3 samples, U-Pb (carbonate) LA-ICP-MS

Pilot diatom d13C and d30Si from Lake Challa cores Phil Barker (Lancaster)

ICDP funded, NERC Standard Grant application.

20 d18O and d30Si

Method development (varying reaction times and temperatures) of siderite d13C and d18O from Lake Ohrid cores

Melanie Leng (Nottingham)


60 d13C and d18O

Pilot data of mouse collagen and island diet Jan Bradley (University of Nottingham)


30 d13C and d15N

The origin of Scandinavian Leprosy in Britain J. Montgomery/C. Roberts (Durham)

Next NERC/AHRC grant round, in the category “ The exposure of people to vector-borne diseases and marine toxins”

10 Sr and d18O

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL ISOTOPE GEOSCIENCES ... · 1 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH...

Documents

Transcript of NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL ISOTOPE GEOSCIENCES ... · 1 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH...