Role of Water in Earth and Planetary Evolution

This project aims to understanding the role of water in the building of our solar system, Mars and Earth.Surprisingly little is known about key issues surrounding its origin and subsequent recycling on Earth. We havedeveloped new techniques for measuring low abundances of water along with oxygen isotopes. Using these weaim to measure water abundances and oxygen isotopes in meteorites and terrestrial rocks to establish how waterwas delivered to Earth and to understand how water is geologically recycled. This is expected to have directbearing on where and how Earth's water originated, how water is retained in mantle and crustal minerals and willhave broad implications for understanding volcanic hazards and formation of ore deposits.