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Clumped and Intramolecular Isotopic Perspectives on the Behavior of Organic and Inorganic Carbon in the Shallow Crust and Deep Biosphere

Citation

Lloyd, Max Kaufmann (2018) Clumped and Intramolecular Isotopic Perspectives on the Behavior of Organic and Inorganic Carbon in the Shallow Crust and Deep Biosphere. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/Z96T0JV5. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:01312018-211454203

Abstract

Although the upper crust is the most accessible swath of the subsurface, the geochemical processes therein are challenging to observe. Here, I use site-specific and ‘clumped’ isotope analyses (where multiple rare, heavy isotopes are bound in single molecules) of carbonates and organic solids to explore petrology, brittle tectonics, diagenesis, and biodegradation in the shallow crust. In carbonates, I employ contact aureoles, regional metamorphic terranes, thermal and geochemical models, and high-pressure experiments, to extract nuanced thermal and chemical histories. In the organic realm, I develop new methods to measure the clumped 13C – 2H composition of methoxyl groups (R – O – CH3) from kerogen, lignin, and other complex organic substrates. This work expands the field of clumped isotope geochemistry into the realm of solid compounds, and enables new, site-specific isotopic perspectives on the shallow crustal transformations of organic carbon substrates and the microbial assemblages that live on them.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Stable isotope geochemistry
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Geological and Planetary Sciences
Major Option:Geochemistry
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Eiler, John M.
Thesis Committee:
  • Sessions, Alex L. (chair)
  • Rossman, George Robert
  • Orphan, Victoria J.
  • Eiler, John M.
Defense Date:1 December 2017
Non-Caltech Author Email:max.k.lloyd (AT) gmail.com
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:01312018-211454203
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:01312018-211454203
DOI:10.7907/Z96T0JV5
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2016.10.037DOIArticle adapted for Ch. 1
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Lloyd, Max Kaufmann0000-0001-9367-2698
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:10666
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Max Lloyd
Deposited On:08 Feb 2018 17:11
Last Modified:04 Oct 2019 00:19

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