Research Interests

Here are some of the broad topics my research is focused on. However I am always interested in expanding my horizon of research and work on novel isotope systematics. Do reach out if you want to collaborate or if simply would like to have a chat regarding my work.

Evolution of early Earth

Earth is unique among the rocky planets of our solar system. Along with fostering life and having stable atmosphere and hydrosphere our rocky planet has an unique bimodal distribution of predominantly felsic continental crust and mafic oceanic crust. Part of my research is focused on how some of these oldest felsic (granitoids) and mafic (greenstone belts) crusts formed in the early Earth during the Hadean and Archean.

I use MC-ICPMS to measure radiogenic Sr, Nd and Hf isotopic composition of granitoids such as TTGs and granites along with greenstone belt rocks such as komatiites and basalts. Combined trace element and isotope analysis of these rocks along with novel mantle melting models give us unique information regarding their parental magma extraction from different mantle conditions, evolution and differentiation of the magma source which ultimately formed these rocks under the influence of distinct tectonic scenarios.

Formation of mantle heterogeneities

Recycling of surface materials such as sediments and oceanic crust into the Earth's mantle via subduction through the Earth's history has metasomatized the Earth's mantle and created distinct enriched mantle domains. Recyling of surface material has helped to maintain mass balance of life critical elements (such as C, N, P) in the lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere. Therefore in order to understand how Earth became habitable, it is important to understand how and when Earth's surface materials got recycled and heterogeneously enriched the mantle.

By measuring novel redox sensitive stable isotopes as Mo, Ce, U in mantle derived rock from the past (Archean Dykes) and recent Ocean Island Basalts, evidence of surface material recycling through Geologic time can be found. Our work using multicomponent redox dependent element and isotope mixing model has shown the potential to track time dependent recycling of surface materials in to the Earth's mantle.

Collaborative work

Collaborative work is essential to expand our horizon of research. I am always interested to work on potential projects where I can apply my expertise on early Earth and different isotope systematics to uncover some fundamental geochemical processes which are shaping our planet Earth.

Collaborative work has given me the opportunity to measure traditional radiogenic isotopes such as Sr and Hf in very challenging samples such as dehydrated serpentinite and laterite formed from ultra depleted peridotite. Do reach out if you want to talk about potential areas where traditional and novel isotope systematic can be applied.

Currently in my Postdoc, I am studying the stable Ce and U isotopes and radiogenic La-Ce isotope systematics in ocean island basalts (OIBs) to better understand the potential of these isotope systematics to track surface material recycling into the Earth's mantle. Do reach out for potential collaborations. I am always looking for OIB samples and enriched mantle derived rocks with metasomatized mantle source signatures.