Carbon and Hydrogen in Melts and Fluids in Planetary Interiors

The project uses very high pressure, temperature and innovative experimental and analytical techniques to quantitatively determine carbon and hydrogen solubility in melts at conditions operating in planetary interiors, with initial emphasis on the Earth's Upper Mantle conditions. The results will constrain the recycling of carbon into the Earth's Mantle by subduction and the long-term global carbon reservoirs. It will also enable understanding of redox reactions which dissolve or precipitate diamond(graphite) and degassing and oxidation reactions during volcanism. It will provide results directly constraining the melting behaviour of the terrestrial planets and meteorite parent bodies.