May 2017

Goldschmidt2017

Early registration deadline: 13 June

To benefit from the early rate at the upcoming Goldschmidt Conference, register before 13 June.
Members of EAG as well as EAG partners, GS, GSJ, AFEQ, DMG, HGS, IAGC, ISEB, MSGBI (MinSoc), SEM, SFIS, SFMC, SGA, SGI and SIMP (see acronym info), all benefit from a €50 discount.
Not a member of the any of the above society? Either join EAG today OR register as non-member and you will automatically receive membership from EAG from September 2017 to end of July 2019.

Goldschmidt Wild Orbit Cinema: submit your video

Goldschmidt2017 and Wild Orbit films are hosting a week-long celebration of the very best science communication. Twenty of the best short science films submitted will receive a lunch time screening throughout the conference. Come and watch them!

Want to participate? Communicating science effectively, explaining why it matters, why it should be funded, and why people should listen and trust our expertise is essential. You can submit your best geochemistry science film until 15 July.

Early Career Scientists at Goldschmidt2017

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Early Career Scientists are at the heart of the Goldschmidt conference, and various programs aimed at young professionals in geochemistry have been developing in recent years. Goldschmidt2017 will continue this trend and introduces new initiatives. Find an overview of the Goldschmidt2017 program for Early Career Scientists. Note that the deadline to register for most events is 13 June.

Society News

Winners of the EAG Photo Contest 'Wonders of Geochemistry'

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 Photo Contest ‘Wonders of Geochemistry’: Electra Kotopoulou, Marco Brenna and David Benavente. Of the final ten photos selected by our jury, the following three received the highest number of votes. Many thanks to all who submitted entries, to all who cast votes, and many congratulations once more to our three winners! Find out about the winning images.

Announcing changes in GP Letters Editorial Board

Geochemical Perspectives Letters was launched in 2015 thanks to the energy and efforts of 6 founding editors who believed in and supported the creation of a new society owned journal, aiming to publish high quality science, at NO page charges, freely accessible to all, and without the involvement of any for profit publishing house. Rod Ewing (Stanford University) was part of this initial team and as he now moves on, we warmly thank him for his dedication, time and support.

The board is very grateful and excited to welcome two new prestigious scientists, Ariel Anbar (Arizona State University) and Simon Redfern (University of Cambridge). Read more

Outreach Lecturer Axel Hofmann in Ghana

As part of the EAG-GS Outreach Program, Axel Hofmann (University of Johannesburg) recently visited the University of Ghana and presented a short course on Early Earth Life and Mineral Systems to a captivated audience of 50 students. Axel will also visit Nigeria and Tanzania towards the end of the year. Find out more and see some photos.

EAG Early Career Ambassador Program: next deadline is 1 June

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Through the Early Career Science Ambassador Program, early career scientists based in Europe who wish to attend conferences outside Europe (except Goldschmidt) can apply to receive EAG support and have 50% of their expenses covered, up to €2000. They will be viewed as EAG Ambassadors while attending the event. The next deadline to apply is 1 June.

EAG Publications

New Geochemical Perspectives: Future Global Mineral Resources

In this issue of Geochemical Perspectives, six authors with wide experience in ore deposit research, exploration and production present an optimistic but realistic appraisal of future mineral resources. They describe how ore deposits form, and how they are found, assessed, mined and processed. They discuss the critical differences between mineral reserves and resources, how economic and societal factors influence supply, and the critical roles that geoscientists will continue to play. The authors argue that mineral resources will remain adequate well into the future.
Also read the associated press release 'Mineral resources: Exhaustion is just a myth'.

Recently published in Geochemical Perspectives Letters

Temporal variation in relative zircon abundance throughout Earth history
C.B. Keller, P. Boehnke, B. Schoene

Zircon is the preeminent chronometer of deep time on Earth, informing models of crustal growth and providing our only direct window into the Hadean Eon. However, the quantity of zircon crystallised per unit mass of magma is highly variable, complicating interpretation of the terrestrial zircon record. [...]

A magma mixing redox trap that moderates mass transfer of sulphur and metals
A. Fiege, P. Ruprecht, A. Simon

Mixing and juxtaposition of chemically distinct magmatic systems are key processes for the evolution of Earth’s crust. Yet, the physicochemical nature at mixing interfaces remains poorly described, as crystallisation, melting, heat transfer, and diffusion are interconnected and lead to complex mass transfer processes driving unique patterns of element fractionation. [...]

Geochemistry making the news

Ancient meteorite impact sparked long-lived volcanic eruptions

[Phys.org] Meteorite impacts can produce more than craters on the Earth - they can also spark volcanic activity that shapes its surface and climate by bringing up material from depth. That is the headline finding of an international team, led by geochemists from Trinity College Dublin, who discovered that large impacts can be followed by intense, long-lived, and explosive volcanic eruptions. Read more

Paris 1.5°C target may be smashed by 2026

[Science Daily] Global temperatures could break through the 1.5°C barrier negotiated at the Paris conference as early as 2026 if a slow-moving, natural climate driver known as the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) has, as suspected, moved into a positive phase. Read more

Strange mantle plume under Iceland helps keep Scotland afloat

[New Scientist] The plume of hot rock that sits beneath Iceland has long-reaching fingers – two of which stretch all the way to Scotland and Norway. This perhaps explains why the breathtaking scenery of areas such as the Scottish Highlands isn’t submerged beneath the waves. Read more

Scientists have measured the force that makes crystal align

[Science Alert] Crystals are among the most fascinating structures in the natural world - not only do they have a unique, highly ordered, and repeating lattice structure, they also have all kinds of inherent, interesting properties, including the ability to self-assemble. Read more

A new idea on how Earth became a giant snowball

[Scientific American] Eons ago Earth experienced a wild transformation: it turned into a giant snowball. These massive glaciation events, where ice encased the planet from pole-to-pole, are fittingly named “snowball Earth.” Read more

Huge amounts of mercury vanished from Utah's Great Salt Lake

[Science Alert] In the space of just five years, levels of toxic methylmercury in Utah's Great Salt Lake have dropped by almost 90 percent, and scientists are still trying to explain where it's gone. Read more

Job opportunities

Current job opportunities

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Receive job ads as they are posted: like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@EAG_). To post a position on the EAG job page (free of charge): click here.

PhD & MSc positions:

H2020 EID Metal_Intelligence – Six PhD positions available - Multiple locations (Trinity College Dublin, Lulea University of Technology, Outotec Finland)

Fluid-rock interactions on icy worlds - ISTerre, University of Grenoble-Alpes

Mineral formation under hydrothermal conditions - ISTerre, CNRS - University of Grenoble-Alpes

Structure and dynamics of water in ordinary Portland and low CO2 cements - ISTerre, CNRS - University of Grenoble-Alpes and Institute Laue-Langevin

Magma migration and formation of dunites beneath spreading ridges: Evidence from the Oman ophiolite - CRPG (CNRS/University of Lorraine)

Impact of sulfur on the fate of critical metals in geological fluids - Geosciences Environnement Toulouse

Do MINerals Promote the Preservation of ORGanic Carbon in Marine Sediments? - University of Leeds

ENIGMA Innovative Training Network: 15 PhD positions available in Geophysics, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Hydrogeophysics, Biogeochemistry and Microbiology - ENIGMA network

PostDoctoral and Fellowship positions:

Lyell Fellowships - Heriot-Watt University

Postdoctoral Fellow Position (Reactive Interfaces in Agroecosystems) - University of Waterloo

Cosmochemistry/geochemistry postdoctoral position available. ORIGINS LABORATORY - The University of Chicago

6 Postdoctoral Scientists - multidisciplinary water modelling and forecasting team - University of Waterloo, Multi-Institution GWF Program

Investigation of microbial processes related to nuclear waste disposal - EPFL Lausanne

Investigation of uranium reduction and fractionation by a variety of microorganisms - EPFL Lausanne

Investigation of the mechanistic underpinnings of uranium isotopic fractionation - EPFL Lausanne

Postdoctoral Research Scientist - The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University

Faculty, Technical and other positions:

Tenure track faculty position in Physics and Geosciences with special interest for applicants in the field of Earth sciences - Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla

Research Officer for gas source mass spectrometry lab - University of St. Andrews

Position of professor in radiogenic isotope geochemistry - Université du Québec à Montréal

Research Position in Non-conventional stable or Radiogenic isotope geochemistry - Centro de Geociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Tenure-track associate or assistant professor in Organic Chemistry/Geochemistry/Cosmochemistry - Okayama University

EAG Partners

Redox-Active Minerals: Abstract deadline 19 May

Attend MinSoc meeting ‘Redox-Active Minerals’ in Natural Systems at the University of Manchester on 21–22 June. Abstract deadline: 19 May. Registration is now open and EAG members benefit from reduced rates.

Video contest ON THE ROCKS! Submit before 21 May

The Italian Geological Society (SGI) organises “ON THE ROCKS”, a geological video contest open to all. Participate with a creative and informal video, explaining your research, passions or new ideas regarding the Earth, in only 180 seconds. SGI is looking for passionate contributions focusing on the wonders, dangers and surprises of an adventurous, geological journey, which could take place indoor, outdoor, in a lab, in the mountains, at sea or in the outer space!

ISEB23: Abstract deadline 31 May

Submit an abstract before 31 May for ISEB23 'From cells to Earth scale processes: traversing the breadth of temporal and spatial scales in biogeochemistry', the International Society for Environmental Biogeochemistry meeting to be held in Palm Cove, Tropical North Queensland, Australia, 24-29 September. EAG members benefit from reduced rates.