Elements: Halogens: From Planetary Surfaces to Interiors
October 06, 2022
The halogen-group elements (F, Cl, Br, and I) are common in the terrestrial inventory, though often present in trace amounts in many Earth and planetary materials. The halogens play a key role in a variety of geologic environments and processes, from mineralization to their influence on the composition of Earth's atmosphere when released as oceanic, volcanogenic, and anthropogenic emissions. Halogens act as "fingerprints" of fluidmediated processes on Earth and other planetary bodies. These "bioessential" elements are also critically important to human health. In this issue of Elements, we explore the role that the halogens play in shaping diverse planetary systems, from the surface of planets to their interiors. We also review the techniques that are suitable for the analysis of halogen elements and of isotopes of Cl and Br in terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials.
Current Geochemical Society members can access this issue now via the Elements website using your email address (UserID) and member number (Password).
Recent Articles and Blog Posts from the GS/EAG DEI Writing Teams
May 03, 2022
- Strengthening Geochemistry Through Community Action and Wider Influence: http://www.elementsmagazine.org/archives/e17_4/e17_4_soc_EAG.pdf
- Professional Culture: Let’s talk tackling of inequity, injustice, and absent talent: https://blog.eag.eu.com/news/professional-culture-lets-talk-tackling-of-inequity-injustice-and-absent-talent/
- Pourret et al. 2021. Diversity, Equity, and inclusion: Tackling under-representation and recognition of talents in geochemistry and cosmochemistry. GCA 310, pp 363-371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2021.05.054
- Pourret et al. 2021. Diversity among editorial boards of Elements and other selected geochemistry, cosmochemistry, mineralogy, and petrology journals. Elements, June 2021. http://elementsmagazine.org/2021/06/01/diversity-among-editorial-boards/
- Check out the EAG DEI blog for more: https://blog.eag.eu.com/categories/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/
GS Statement on Ukraine Crisis
March 10, 2022
The Geochemical Society condemns the war, violence, and the loss of civilian life in Ukraine. We stand by the country's citizens and our Ukranian colleagues and their families who are affected. Our greatest desire is for peace and an end to the suffering and displacement caused by this crisis.
While issues of survival are taking precedence for many people, the work of science also continues, so we offer these resources as a small contribution to cooperation and goodwill. To the extent it is possible for scientists in Ukraine to participate in a conference, the EAG and GS will offer free participation for them at the upcoming 2022 Goldschmidt Conference.
A growing list of research institutions in Europe and elsewhere are offering to host refugee scientists through a community initiative. Learn more
Heavy Stable Isotopes: From Crystals to Planets
March 03, 2022
Stable isotopes are formidable tracers of physicochemical processes at all scales. Steady advances in mass spectrometry have allowed isotopic inquiries to move from the so-called “traditional” systems (i.e., H, C, N, O, and S) to heavier “nontraditional” systems (e.g., Fe, Mo, Ti, Zr, U) whose diverse geochemical characteristics are providing novel and complementary insights. Moving from micron-size systems (single crystals) to planetary-size bodies, the articles in this issue explore the enormous range of temporal and physical scales over which heavy stable isotopes have provided paradigm-shifting insights into the evolution of our planet and solar system. Also highlighted are new frontiers where novel stable isotope systematics appear particularly promising for unraveling long-standing questions. Current Geochemical Society members can access this issue now via the Elements website using your email address (UserID) and member number (Password).
Remembering William “Bill” Reeburgh (1940-2021)
December 15, 2021
Professor William S. Reeburgh, known to friends and colleagues as Bill, died in July. He was a Geochemistry Fellow and active supporter of the Geochemical Society for many years. He and his wife, Carelyn, established the Endowed Biogeochemistry Lecture in 2016 and it is now an important part of the annual Goldschmidt Conference.
Born in 1940 in Port Arthur, Texas, Bill received his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Oklahoma and a Ph.D. in oceanography from Johns Hopkins University. He was professor and chair of Marine Science at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks for many years. In 1993, he moved to the University of California, Irvine as a founding professor of the university's Department of Earth System Science.
According to a press release from UCI:
"Bill Reeburgh's research contributed enormously to our understanding of the global methane cycle, and it was once said that he was to methane what Dave Keeling was to CO2. He recognized that methane entering the atmosphere and oceans represents the small imbalance between very large methane production and oxidation sinks resulting from microbial activity in sediments and soils. He demonstrated an important new sink mechanism for methane in oxygen-free environments, but had to convince skeptical microbiologists, as no microbe had then been discovered with this metabolism. To do this, Bill used what he called "the 3R's" – documenting routes, reactions and rates by combining tools ranging from sediment reaction-diffusion modeling, isotope labeling and stable isotope distributions to build an incontrovertible case. Many of the measurements came from favorite field sites in Skan Bay, Alaska and the Black Sea."
His important contributions to the fields of biogeochemistry and global elemental cycling were recognized by the GS and EAG in 2018 when Bill was named a Geochemistry Fellow. He was also a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the American Academy of Microbiology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Bill and Carelyn were married for 54 years and raised three children together. On retiring from UCI, Bill moved to Vancouver, Washington where he enjoyed woodworking, spending time with his six grandchildren, and serving on various scientific advisory committees, including the GS Strategic Planning Committee.
Bill will be missed by his many friends and colleagues in the Geochemical Society. But his and Carelyn's generosity will be felt long into the future as the Endowed Biogeochemistry Lecture continues to recognize innovative science in this field.
The Geochemical Society has planted a tree in memory of Bill Reeburgh. You can also plant a tree in his name.
Source:
Remembering Professor William "Bill" S. Reeburgh - UCI Physical Sciences Communications
Remembering Frederick A. Frey (1938-2021)
October 11, 2021
Fred Frey passed away on September 13, 2021 at 83 years of age. For over 50 years, Fred worked to build our understanding of the chemical composition of the Earth’s upper mantle and the generation of magma through mantle partial melting. He sought to understand the processes that lead to the diverse trace element and isotopic compositions of mantle rocks and mantle-derived magmas. Fred’s research was unique in that it encompassed two approaches to this understanding: direct study of mantle xenoliths and tectonically emplaced mantle rocks and the complementary study of magmas generated in different tectonic settings - at mid ocean ridges, oceanic islands, and subduction zones.
Exploring Earth and Planetary Materials with Neutrons
September 23, 2021
For over half a century, the structural details and the dynamics of atomic arrangements in materials have been determined using neutron-based scattering and absorption measurements. Neutron scattering experiments have contributed valuable information on geological materials and how these interact with fluids. In situ studies of transformations and fundamental properties can emulate diverse environments from Earth’s surface to its deep interior. Potential growth of the “neutron community” is being realized with the development of new and improved neutron sources. This issue will familiarize the reader with the basic concepts of neutron scattering, the methods that are available to Earth scientists, provide a summary of facilities around the world, and give key applications of the technique.
Current Geochemical Society members can access this issue now via the Elements website using your email address (UserID) and member number (Password).
Recognizing a Broader Spectrum of Achievement
July 29, 2021
Excellence in geochemistry can be defined in many ways. Of course, this includes publication of novel discoveries, but it also includes teaching, capacity building, influencing policy making, science communication, and much more. Recognizing this, the Geochemical Society has broadened the definition of excellence we use in many of our award criteria.
The GS is also committed to increasing diversity in geochemistry and among its formally recognized inspirational and prominent figures. We seek to promote and encourage diversity and inclusion while furthering equity, a true sense of belonging, and success for all people. In particular, the society is keen to encourage talented researchers from underrepresented groups to serve as nominators and to be nominated for society awards.
Everyone in the geochemistry community is invited to participate in this process. Check out this list of frequently asked questions, which helps to demystify the process.
To submit a nomination, get started by reviewing the list of awards and their criteria. Nominations for our awards and special lectures are due by October 31.
GS to Add Early Career Members to its Board of Directors
July 26, 2021
Students, postdoctoral scholars, and other early career scientists form a crucial segment of the Geochemical Society's membership. To make sure that we consider the needs of this population, the society is adding two new seats on its board specifically for early career researchers (ECR). The board is responsible for governing the organization and determining how our programs can best serve the international geochemistry community. Serving on the board is an opportunity to develop as a leader, meet colleagues from around the world, and make a real contribution to the society and larger community.
Early career scientists may self-nominate or be nominated by others for this role by August 20, 2021.
Speleothems
July 12, 2021
