The Geochemistry Group

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!

Matthew is a PhD student at the University of Birmingham working on the project: "New North Atlantic Palaeo-Temperature Reconstruction from Terrestrial Sedimentary Archives: Implications for the Influence of the Icelandic Plume on Oceanic Circulation and Climate."

Next up we have a fantastic art entry from Matthew Allison who produced 'a cartoon series on mass specs from when I was learning about the machines during my PhD'
check out more of Matthews cartoons here: matthewsallison.wordpress.com/phd-cartoons/

Potential job opportunity for geochemists!

The flatness of the Fens can be surprising or even eerie, but on this Spring day, I arrived at the field site to be greeted by a spectacular mirror-like landscape.

The Ouse Washes are an area of the Fens which flood seasonally as part of the water management regime in the region. It's a perfect place to think about peatland geochemistry as the redox conditions shift dramatically in the subsurface when the land floods or drains.