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- Palash Kumawat
Palash Kumawat
Report of GLOMAR Ph.D. student Palash Kumawat about his research placement at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, MA, USA, in the Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry department from 17 November 2023 to 17 December 2023
The focus of my research lies within the intriguing realm of serpentinites and the serpentine biosphere. My investigation centers on serpentinite clasts and mud sourced from the modern Mariana Serpentine Mud volcanoes (SMVs) in the Pacific, coupled with the exploration of suspected fossil analogs of SMVs in California's Coast Ranges. Employing a range of petrological-geochemical analyses and thermodynamic reaction-path modeling, my objective is to unveil the conditions facilitating H2 and CH4 production in both modern and ancient forearc systems. The overarching goal is to quantify the energy generated through serpentinization and evaluate its role in supporting chemosynthetic life in SMVs, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of Earth's history and the evolution of life in extreme environments.
Commencing my Ph.D. project under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Bach in January 2023, the initial 10 months were dedicated to gathering critical geochemical insights from both modern and paleo settings. Preliminary data suggests a potential linkage between the 150Ma old Coast Range serpentinite bodies and the modern Mariana forearc system. However, the conditions of serpentinization in the mantle wedge during the early Cretaceous remained elusive, necessitating a comprehensive investigation into redox conditions and the quantification of H2 and CH4 budgets in the subduction channel.
To address this crucial gap in knowledge, I sought a research placement at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), collaborating with Dr. Frieder Klein, a distinguished expert in chemical oceanography and geochemistry with a focus on fluid-rock interactions in diverse geodynamic settings, particularly subduction zones. Dr. Klein graciously agreed to train me in Confocal Raman Spectroscopy and Thermogravimetry.
My research placement at WHOI, initiated on November 17th, was marked by meticulous sample selection and preparation. The Confocal Raman Spectroscope at McClean lab proved to be an invaluable tool, allowing real-time differentiation of micrometer-spaced mineral growths and providing hyperspectral Raman mineral maps for a comprehensive understanding of mineral distribution. Thermogravimetry, utilized to detect elusive hydroxide phases like brucite and iowaite, yielded vital insights into the thermal decomposition of redoxsensitive minerals over a range of temperatures.
The success of this four-week research stay has laid a solid foundation for the second half of my placement at WHOI, scheduled for the Summer of 2024. I am grateful for the opportunity to network with esteemed members of the Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry community through weekly seminars and interactions with pioneers such as Dr. Christopher German and Dr. Jeffrey Seewald. Additionally, attending WHOI's annual holiday events provided a platform for interdisciplinary exchanges with fellow students and professionals.
I extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Frieder Klein for his hospitality and expertise, as well as to Dr. Elmar Albers for his valuable assistance in expediting my workflow. I would also like to express my deep appreciation to Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Bach, for his unwavering support at every stage of planning and executing this research stay. Lastly, I am thankful to GLOMAR and DFG for their generous financial support throughout this endeavor.
