SEDIMENTARY DEPOSITIONAL SYSTEMS
Many faculty in our department are making concerted efforts to understand a variety of critical deposit systems in the sedimentary environment. These include lithium and rare-earth element deposits in underclay deposits throughout the northern Appalachian Basin (White), phosphorite deposits in the Phosphoria Formation (Lau), and large-scale tectonic and geomorphic evolution of basin resources (Hajek). In addition, other projects are focused on lithium enrichment in large-scale restricted basin settings especially associated with volcanic calderas (Mittal), with others developing geochemical tools to improve our understanding of the chronology of deposit formation and provenance of critical minerals in sedimentary systems (Lau, Reimink).
IGNEOUS MINERAL SYSTEMS
Igneous systems, and the transition between magmatic and hydrothermal settings, are locations of ore formation for many of the critical mineral deposits required for future societal needs. Several faculty are pursuing research programs focusing in this space, including research on (a) crustal melting driving tungsten-tin enrichment (Smye, Reimink), (b) copper porphyry magmatic and hydrothermal evolution records in mineral zoning (Reimink), (c) iron ore, copper, gold, and cobalt deposits in magnetite diabase skarn deposits (Feinmann, Mittal), as well as (d) lithium deposit formation in both pegmatite systems (Reimink), and large volcanogenic provinces (Mittal). This research is complemented by active projects focused on understanding subsurface reaction mechanisms for utility in a variety of subsurface processes especially co-associated with high temperature geothermal systems (Mittal, Smye).
MULTI-SCALE ANALYSIS
Integrating data spanning small (nano- to micro-), intermediate (field), and large (basin/magmatic system) scales is a common challenge across sedimentary and igneous mineral systems. Our faculty leverage state-of-the-art analytical capabilities (both in the lab as well as field instruments like hyperspectral imaging, XRF, Gamma raw spectrometer), numerical modeling and data integration approaches, machine learning, and geological context to synthesize data across scales. Ongoing research projects are helping to develop new tools for texture analysis, prediction, and decision-making in critical minerals applications (Mittal, Hajek)
VALUABLE WASTE STREAMS
Key features of our work in Critical Minerals Science focus on the potential to reuse and repurpose existing waste products that are currently not viewed as a resource.
For instance, Feinmann and collaborators are working to characterize various iron slag deposits across Pennsylvania for their critical mineral concentrations. High concentrations of key rare-earth elements have thus far been identified in these historically significant deposits from a range of locations, and ongoing work is trying to elucidate the original geologic sources of the REE elements (for optimized resource mapping) and processing approaches that may make derivative products cost effective.
In another case, Heaney and others are working to evaluate the manganese prospectivity of coal tailings ponds. Building on fundamental work characterizing various manganese oxide and hydroxide mineral forms, current work is focusing on both the applicability of manganese removal from existing coal waste resources, as well as the biologic and environmental significance of manganese oxide reaction products.
FACILITIES WE USE
Learn more about our tools and techniques:
WHO WE ARE
Learn more about our faculty and research groups:
Dr. Lau's research is focused on understanding the causes and consequences of ocean anoxia and oxygenation in Earth’s history. Anoxic conditions can be caused by large increases in atmospheric pCO2, which drives continental weathering and delivery of nutrients (such as phosphate) to the oceans—a perturbation that stimulates primary productivity and oxygen demand. https://www.kimberlylau.com/
Dr. Elizabeth Hajek uses the stratigraphic record to reconstruct past landscape conditions on Earth. Liz's research group focuses on learning about internal (autogenic*) variability that occurs in different sedimentary environments and understanding how Earth’s surface responds to change.
Much of Liz's research is focused on ancient deposits, so Dr. Hajek's group often conducts fieldwork in places with excellent outcrop exposures of sedimentary rocks, including the western United States. Additionally, they use numerical and physical experiments and observations from modern depositional systems for further insight. https://sites.psu.edu/hajek/
Dr. Tushar Mittal's primary research focus at present is investigating the evolution of magmatic systems - thermo-mechanical evolution, mush melt transport, and eruption dynamics of crustal magmatic systems (both modern volcanism and flood basalts). https://sites.google.com/view/tushar-mittal/
Dr. Jennifer Macalady is a microbiologist who studies biological interactions with earth materials — soil, water, atmospheric gases, and rocks. These interactions are encoded in microbial genomes that give clues about the co-evolution of Earth and the biosphere in deep time. In the present, these interactions are of prime importance to human societies, with implications for greenhouse gas production and consumption, pollutant bioremediation, element cycling, energy production from coal and biomass, and water purification. Our tools are emerging techniques in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and geochemistry. We look at microbial diversity and activity through the lens of microbial ecology.
A core value of Dr. Macalady's laboratory is that diversity, equity, and inclusion enable excellence and creativity in research.
Dr. Jesse Reimink is interested in broad aspects of igneous petrology, the earliest history of our planet, ore deposit formation mechanisms, and new ways the geosciences are relevant to society. The main thrust of my research has been, and will continue to be using petrology, isotope geochemistry, and new mass spectrometry techniques to answer fundamental questions about when and how the continental crust formed. Jesse is also developing a research program on crustal distillation, including critical ore deposits globally.
Dr. Reimink is interested in developing projects and collaborations in the areas listed below as well as any other areas. If you have questions, comments, or other ideas please get in touch with Dr. Reimink:
- Research Interests
- Igneous and Metamorphic petrology
- Early Crust Formation
- Granite Petrogenesis
- Data Reduction Strategies
- Mass Spectrometry Development
- Petrology and Isotope Geochemistry
- Crustal Fluids and Ore Deposits
- Geoscience Entrepreneurship