The Geochemistry Group

Join us to celebrate 150 years of the Mineralogical Society!

Geochemistry Group Mentor Scheme (GGMS) The objective of the Geochemistry Group Mentor Scheme (GGMS) is to connect early career researchers (ECRs) and PhD students with more established geochemists, people they might not normally have th…

The deadline for mentees and mentors to sign up for the Geochemistry Group mentorship scheme is the 10th of October! Both sign up forms can be found at geochemistry.group/ggms/

Geochemistry Group Mentor Scheme (GGMS) The objective of the Geochemistry Group Mentor Scheme (GGMS) is to connect early career researchers (ECRs) and PhD students with more established geochemists, people they might not normally have th…

We are excited to launch our Mentorship Scheme for 2025/2026 (geochemistry.group/ggms/). If you are interested in taking part, please register your interest here: forms.office.com/e/EpbhASsBzd

We are launching our Mentorship Scheme again this year geochemistry.group/ggms/. For 2025, we are opening up Mentorship positions to the community. Fill out this form if you are interested in joining: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon... It is a fantastic way to support the community and our ECRs!

a person in a lab coat with the word let 's do this ALT: a person in a lab coat with the word let 's do this

Plans for GGRiP 2026 in Bristol are taking shape! We are planning a free technical staff workshop covering lab techniques and lab management. More details to follow soon!

Changhai Hou is a PhD student from the University of Birmingham, working on a project entitled: "The application of 3-OH-FA based biomarkers to lake sediments."

The vivid yellow sulfur deposits stand in stark contrast to the rugged terrain, highlighting the raw power of volcanic activity. Once a site of sulfur mining, Mount Io remains a testament to both nature’s beauty and its dynamic geological history.

Mount Io, also known as "Iozan" ("Sulfur Mountain"), is a striking geothermal wonder located in Akan-Mashu National Park, Hokkaido, Japan. This active fumarolic mountain continuously releases sulfuric steam and gases, shaping an otherworldly landscape.

Last but not least, we have an entry from Changhai Hou 'A spectacular display of geothermal activity at Mount Io, Japan'

Patthapong Chaiseanwang is at the University of Birmingham. Their PhD project is entitled: "An application of a new suite of biomarkers from Gram-negative bacteria to reconstruct the first Holocene temperature in Southeast Asia region based on 3-hydroxy fatty acids."

'This photo captures my first PhD fieldwork. My experienced co-supervisors are teaching me how to collect lake sediment samples. Their guidance has been invaluable in helping me develop key skills for geochemistry research. This moment reflects both teamwork and hands-on learning in the field.'

Happy hump day. Our next entry is from Patthapong Chaisenwang 'First Time Learning Lake Sediment Sampling'

Kerys Meredew is a PhD candidate at the University of Birmingham on a project entitled: "Magma-reservoir evolution following edifice destruction at Krakatau and Ritter Volcanoes."

Next up we have our second winner, a stunning photo from Kerys Meredew 'Fuego at dusk'

'A pulse of eruptive activity from Fuego Volcano, Guatemala. This photo was taken whilst camping on the neighbouring Acentanago Volcano. Shot using a Minolta AF-E II camera on 35 mm film, February 2024.'

Pam Vervoort is a Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham. She is paleoclimatologist who uses Earth system models to understand the role of carbon cycle feedbacks in driving Earth's climate and environmental changes throughout Earth's history.

'Large dune systems formed in the extensive deserts in the arid climate of the early Jurassic; the cross-bedding reveals the dune migration pattern'

Happy Monday! Our next image is from Pam Vervoort, 'Cross-bedding in the Navajo Sandstone'.

'Meter-scale cross-bedding of the Navajo Sandstone taken in Zion National Park, Utah (February 2025)'

Gemma is a final-year PhD student in Organic Geochemistry at the University of Birmingham. Her PhD focusses on using organic biomarkers and compound-specific isotope analysis to interpret the dietary profiles of lemurs.

A cool image for a hot Friday! Our next entry is 'a peaceful break' by Gemma Baker 'Finding a peaceful moment in next to a tranquil pond in Sapporo during a long day of labwork generating compound-specific stable isotope data (October 2024)'

James Bendle Organic Geochemistry & Palaeoclimatology

@drbendlej.bsky.social is a Reader in organic geochemistry at Birmingham University, specialising in palaeoclimatology. His research develops and uses molecular tools to reconstruct past environmental conditions.

Lipid residues on pottery, preserved in calcite, may reveal oils burned in lamps and votive offerings. Initially we speculated the shrine was to Hades, we now believe it venerates Eileithyia, the Minoan and Greek goddess of childbirth.

The image serves as a metaphor for scientific curiosity and bridges archaeology and geology. The shrine is being slowly encased in a crystalline calcite matrix. This will allows us to use dating techniques like U/Th dating (rare for an archaeological context).

The next entry in our series is 'At the Cave Shrine of the Goddess Eileithyia' by @drbendlej.bsky.social.

'This photograph, taken by my collaborator Dr. Mark Kasumovic, shows our team inspecting an ancient shrine discovered in a remote cave (Dragolaki) high in the White Mountains of Crete'

Elaine is studying at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social. Elaine's PhD project is focussed on 'Sources and climate impacts of Indian Ocean aerosols'.

'Energised by the rare and indulgent sun, 2 students venture far ahead towards the next outcrop on the day's agenda. Days like these, you never want to leave the field!'

We continue with our fabulous art & photography entries. Today we have our first of two winners! 'Sunny days on the Assynt field trip' by Elaine Gao, a PhD student at Imperial.

Emma is currently an Experimental Officer at the University of Birmingham. Emma completed her PhD at Birmingham which concentrated on coccolith geochemistry (stable isotopes and trace metal analysis) from the Miocene to Recent using a novel size separation method.

The image is of: 'The ostracod Anebocythereis sp. 1 from the Miocene of the southern Indian Ocean (ODP 121, Site 752), carrying around thousands of nannofossils within the ornate patterns of its shell'

The third entry to our Art & Photography competition is this amazing image from @emmahanson19.bsky.social !

'Nannofossils along for the ride'

Great to hear about @rockbertson.bsky.social trip to #EGU25! We love being able to support our student community with meeting attendance bursaries. Our next round is due by the 15th October, so please consider applying!