Research

The Isotope Geochemistry Group (IGG) at the Open University has an international reputation for research excellence based on technical innovation and the application of those techniques to basic and applied research in the Earth and environmental sciences.

Our research programme focuses on three inter-related research themes outlined below. These research themes are inherently inter-disciplinary; they are also linked by their similar technical requirements. The principal demands being firstly, precise isotopic and elemental measurements which may occur on very small length scales in geological and environmental records and secondly derivation of the timing and rate of change of Earth systems, using high-precision isotope chronology.

Environmental research comprises a major new initiative of the group responding to the need for quantified observations based on the recent development of environmental, oceanic and biogeochemical tracers.

Planetary Evolution

Understanding the formation and differentiation of the Earth and other planets remains a continuing and major research objective.

Rates of Geological Processes

One of the established strengths of the IGG is the measurement and interpretation of the rates of geological processes over a wide range of timescales.

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