Earthusiastic’s Post

Time of proto-Earth reservoir formation and volatile element depletion from 53Mn-53Cr chronometry. Abstract: "The 53Mn-53Cr chronometry of Solar System materials constrains the early chemical evolution of the protoplanetary disk, which is critical for planet formation. Mn/Cr ratios in carbonaceous chondrites and the bulk silicate Earth indicate that meteorite parent bodies and Earth have variable depletions in volatile elements compared to the bulk Solar composition. This depletion is a consequence of the local temperature decreasing as a function of heliocentric distance before planetesimal accretion. Back-tracking the present-day ε53Cr composition of the hypothetical proto-Earth fraction shows that the cessation of Mn-Cr fractionation from the bulk Solar composition occurred no later than ~3 Ma after CAI formation, similar to disk regions of carbonaceous chondrites at greater heliocentric distances. The timing of limited solid-gas interaction due to the dissipation of gas from the protoplanetary disk caused the cessation of Mn-Cr fractionation and provides a lower limit on its lifetime." Institut für Geologie, Universität Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland Pascal M. Kruttasch Klaus Mezger 

Recent research offers a new explanation for the formation of Siberia’s giant gas emission craters (GECs), first identified in the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas in 2012. The study suggests that unique geological conditions—abundant natural gas, limited permafrost thickness, and rising temperatures—contribute to these explosive events. As gas and heat accumulate beneath thinning permafrost, pressure builds until a sudden release forms a crater. This model provides a more comprehensive understanding of why GECs are localized to this region and highlights the potential for more undiscovered craters hidden beneath the landscape.

Time of proto-Earth reservoir formation and volatile element depletion from 53Mn-53Cr chronometry. Abstract:"The 53Mn-53Cr chronometry of Solar System materials constrains the early chemical evolution of the protoplanetary disk, which is critical for planet formation. Mn/Cr ratios in carbonaceous chondrites and the bulk silicate Earth indicate that meteorite parent bodies and Earth have variable depletions in volatile elements compared to the bulk Solar composition. This depletion is a consequence of the local temperature decreasing as a function of heliocentric distance before planetesimal accretion. Back-tracking the present-day ε53Cr composition of the hypothetical proto-Earth fraction shows that the cessation of Mn-Cr fractionation from the bulk Solar composition occurred no later than ~3 Ma after CAI formation, similar to disk regions of carbonaceous chondrites at greater heliocentric distances. The timing of limited solid-gas interaction due to the dissipation of gas from the protoplanetary disk caused the cessation of Mn-Cr fractionation and provides a lower limit on its lifetime." Pascal M. Kruttasch* and Klaus Mezger  Institut für Geologie, Universität Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.

Exploring the Ocean’s Mineral Wealth: The Clarion-Clipperton Zone The deep ocean is one of the least explored parts of our planet, yet it holds incredible potential in mineral resources that are vital for modern technology and the global energy transition. These include polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich crusts, and seafloor massive sulphides, rich in metals like cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper. One of the most important regions is the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and Mexico. This area contains vast fields of polymetallic nodules found 4,000–6,000 meters below the surface. They are seen as a key source of critical minerals needed for batteries, renewable energy, and green technologies. The diagram below shows the main types of deep-sea mineral deposits: 🔹 Seafloor massive sulphides at hydrothermal vents (1,000–4,000 m) 🔹 Polymetallic nodules on abyssal plains (4,000–6,000 m) 🔹 Cobalt-rich crusts on seamounts (800–2,500 m) As exciting as these resources are, exploration also raises important environmental questions. How can we tap into the ocean’s mineral wealth while protecting its fragile ecosystems?

A significant geo-hydrogen source has been identified west of the Mussau Trench, with analysis revealing a large cluster of hydrothermal pipes, known as the Kunlun pipe swarm. These structures, ranging from 450 to 1,800 meters in diameter, exhibit evidence of past hydrogen hydrothermal activity and ongoing gas leakage. The findings suggest that substantial quantities of hydrogen may be stored deep within the oceanic lithospheric mantle, presenting new opportunities for future hydrogen extraction and advancing the potential for clean energy resources. This discovery marks a notable development in understanding geological hydrogen reserves.

Not accounting for atmospheric blurring (adjacency effects) can lead to large errors in the estimation of aquatic parameters, such as primary production. This is particularly important if there is a high contrast between the water and the surrounding surfaces, such is the case between water and snow or ice. This means that in productive regions such as in Antarctic polynyas (water surrounded by ice), estimations of phytoplankton biomass and primary production could be severely biased. That is the conclusion of the recent study from Hilde Oliver and co-authors: "High Antarctic coastal productivity in polynyas revealed by considering remote sensing ice-adjacency effects" (https://lnkd.in/enJmmuiN). Net primary production was underestimated by as much as 75 % (a 300 % difference!), depending on the size of the polynya or the distance from the shore. This is because adjacency effects from ice and snow results in an underestimation of phytoplankton biomass with the blue-green reflectance algorithms. Here is the gist: There was a stark difference when comparing biomass and primary production estimates in Antarctic polynyas from remote sensing using different data sources, and that difference was inversely proportional to the distance from shore. What could cause this? The most likely source is "contamination" of the signal received by the satellite when looking at water with the signal reflected by the adjacent snow and ice, due to scattering of surface-reflected light by the atmosphere. This is called "atmospheric blurring" or "adjacency effect". Errors of this sort can accour because to observe the surface, we need to compensate for the effects of the intervening atmosphere, and some processors are sensitive to this blurring, while others are either less sensitive or explicitly account for the blurring effect. We could verify this empirically by comparing remote sensing with in situ data, comparing different remote sensing products (e.g., the way that chlorophyll fluorescence is calculated makes it insensitive to adjacency from ice and snow) and via simulations of radiative transfer through the atmosphere. We then quantified this difference per polynya and related it to polynya size. I'm happy to have been involved in such an interesting application of the phenomena I have been studying for the last few years. Congrats to the team! Hilde Oliver, Jessica Turner, Henry Houskeeper, and Heidi Dierssen! #EarthObservation #Antarctic #PrimaryProduction #OceanColour

🌋 Congratulations to the team at Earth Sciences New Zealand who’ve been awarded $10.69 million through the MBIE-administered Endeavour Fund for their DeepHeat research programme. This programme will explore how superhot fluids move deep underground, directly supporting the Government’s supercritical geothermal exploration in the Taupō Volcanic Zone. With electricity demand expected to rise by 82 percent by 2050, superhot geothermal energy could unlock up to 30,000 GWh of continuous renewable power each year. Led by scientists Isabelle Chambefort and Saeid Jalilinasrabady, the team will develop AI-driven reservoir models, test fracture networks, and assess wellbore performance. They will also explore new technologies, environmental monitoring frameworks, and Māori-led business models to ensure long-term sustainable benefits. The programme brings together researchers from Earth Sciences New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Auckland, alongside international partners from the USA, Switzerland, Japan, and Iceland. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gJjBf9CX 📷 Earth Sciences New Zealand

🌟 Thrilled to announce our new publication in Nature Communications! 🌟 “Carbon subsurface traffic jam as driver for methane oxidation activity and selectivity on palladium surfaces” was published on 20 August 2025. In this study, we unveil how the interplay between surface and subsurface carbon dynamics controls catalytic behavior during methane oxidation. Using an operando spectroscopic approach: We observed that surface carbon coverage actively drives partial oxidation to CO. Crucially, subsurface carbon diffusion dictates the overall methane turnover, acting like a “traffic jam” that limits further carbon diffusion deeper into the catalyst. Once this subsurface congestion occurs, it decreases surface adsorption sites, shifting selectivity away from H₂ production toward H₂O formation This work underscores the vital — yet often overlooked — role of subsurface chemistry in heterogeneous catalysis and opens exciting avenues for designing catalysts with finely tuned performance. A huge thank you to my co-authors Rosemary Jones, Julia Prumbs, Alessandro Namar, Mattia Scardamaglia, Andrey Shavorskiy, and Jan Knudsen for their incredible collaboration. Read the full open-access article here: https://lnkd.in/dG5cJjct #Catalysis #MethaneOxidation #Palladium #OperandoSpectroscopy #SubsurfaceChemistry #NatureCommunications

Rainbow Rare Earths reports that it has produced an "exceptionally pure rare earth product" in testwork for its #Phalaborwa project in #SouthAfrica, marking a major step in its plan to become a low-cost, high-margin producer. The process delivers mixed #rareearth carbonate averaging over 55% total rare earth oxides, compared to the typical refinery specification of over 42% TREO. "The West is finally recognising the importance of #REEs, used in permanent magnets vital to the functionality of many of the products that underpin 21st century society, as well as to emerging and advanced technologies," Rainbow chief executive George Bennett said. Read more: https://lnkd.in/euyWDcHM Image: Rainbow Rare Earths' Phalaborwa site | Credits: Rainbow Rare Earths