My research relates to the compositional evolution of the Earth’s mantle through the study of mafic and ultramafic terranes and xenoliths. I use trace-element and isotope geochemistry and petrological modelling to understand the genesis of mantle-derived magmas, their sources and differentiation processes. I am especially interested in elemental mobility and isotopic fractionation in the sub-arc mantle and the role of melt-peridotite interaction during the formation of pyroxenites.
Find out more on ResearchGate.
Current projects
Source, melting and lithospheric processes during basalt genesis
Constraining the impact of melting and lithospheric melt-rock interaction processes to identify the signature of recycled lithologies and other source components in primary oceanic basalts, intra-plate volcanics and associated xenoliths.
Petrological and geochemical modelling of mantle magmatism
Collaborative development and use of various numerical modelling tools: diffusion, percolation-diffusion, open-system melting, mixed-source melting, reactive transport models.
Reactive transport melting model of a heterogeneous pyroxenite-bearing source.
Deep differentiation of arc magmas
Characterizing the nature and composition of magmatic products (and their metamorphic and metasomatic overprints) in the sub-arc mantle and lower crust to constrain:
- the impact of fluid-melt-rock interaction on the evolution of arc magmas;
- the impact of their potential recycling on the dynamics and magmatism of the convective mantle.
High-temperature radiogenic isotope geochemistry
Analytical applications and modelling of radiogenic isotope systems (mainly Hf-Nd but also Sr, Pb, Os) to tracing and dating in high-temperature geochemical problems.
Chromatographic separation for Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes at Macquarie University.
Previous projects
Cabo Ortegal Complex pyroxenites
This was my PhD research project, which aimed to contribute to the understanding of the:
- petrogenesis of pyroxenites in the sub-arc mantle;
- overprint of subduction-related metasomatism and metamorphism;
- the variability of source and timing of pyroxenite formation;
- deformation of pyroxenites in layered mantle domains;
- seismic properties of pyroxenite-rich mantle via numerical modelling;
- associated tectonic and geodynamic processes.
Dunite-pyroxenite layering in the Herbeira cliffs of the Cabo Ortegal Complex.
Trinity ophiolite
Characterization of melt-peridotite interaction features and mantle-crust relationships in the Trinity ophiolite, California.
View of nearby Mount Shasta (4,322m) from the ophiolite.
Tethysian ophiolites and related subduction-related magmatism
Geochemistry of subduction-related magmatics along the Paleo- and Neo-Tethys suture of Anatolia, Iran and the Himalayas.
Sedimentary basins and carbonate diagenesis
Textural identification of original and diagenetic features in carbonate speleothems and implications for their dating and use as paleo-environmental and paleo-climate proxies. Relationships between fluid circulation and deformation in sedimentary basins.
Recumbent fold in the Guéthary flysch.