Role of Water in Earth and Planetary Evolution

Water is key to understanding the building of our solar system and rock recycling on Earth. This project aims to measure water abundances in meteorites and terrestrial rocks to establish how water was delivered to Earth, and to understand how water is geologically recycled. We have developed new techniques for measuring low abundances of water, along with oxygen and hydrogen isotopes, that will allow a full description of the water and volatile cycle from early solar system through to current Earth processes. This capability will have direct bearing on where and how water is retained in minerals, and will have implications for understanding volcanic hazards and formation of ore deposits.