A postgraduate research opportunity at the University of Otago.
Details
- Academic background
- Sciences
- Host campus
- Dunedin
- Qualifications
- Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Honours, Master’s, PhD
- Department
- Geology
- Supervisor
- Dr Steven Smith
Overview
Hydrothermal reaction experiments can be used to investigate reaction mechanisms and rates. Working in a newly developed laboratory in the Geology Department, these projects will involve analysing serpentinization reactions, carbonation reactions, and metasomatic reactions in ultramafic-mafic rocks, using simple experimental set-ups and varying a wide range of experimental parameters (e.g. grain size, fluid chemistry, starting materials, duration of reaction).
Applications of these experiments include a better understanding of the potential for CO2 sequestration in ultramafic rocks, and an improved understanding of some of the chemical reactions that take place in tectonic fault zones.
These projects will also involve studying the experimental projects using e.g. scanning-electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy.
