Recently, Earth and Environmental Sciences’ researchers have joined with PSSRI and the Astronomy group in Physics to form a new research hub – the Centre for Environment, Planetary, Space and Astronomy Research (CEPSAR). CEPSAR was set up to enable and encourage interdisciplinary research, and together provide a unique analytical capability.
The Department’s research is mainly grouped under three interlinked thematic research programmes: Isotope Geochemistry and Earth Systems, Volcano Dynamics, and Environmental Change in Earth History. Earth systems science continues to be our main research focus, as well as forging stronger links across CEPSAR in the areas of planetary geosciences, planetary materials and processes, environmental change (past present and future), climate and ocean modelling (including planetary systems) and natural hazards. The Department has an active postgraduate community within these research areas of about 15 full time postgraduates as well as several part time students.
Earth and Environmental Sciences has an excellent range of laboratory facilities including gas and solid source mass spectrometry, electron microprobe, XRF, ion and gas chromatography and controlled environment units. This complements the development of facilities in PSSRI in stable isotope analysis and ion microprobe. Earth and Environmental Sciences has world leading expertise in noble gas mass spectrometry.
Recent investment includes the completion in 2006 of new combined facilities for ecosystems and geobiology research. This houses staff and postgraduate students, mainly from Earth and Environmental Sciences, but also from PSSRI, Biological Sciences and Technology who share research interests and is located adjacent to the main Earth and Environmental Sciences Building.
