Project description:

My work aims to explore the geochemical features of the South Western Indian Ridge (SWIR) mantle using Re-Os isotopes and platinum group elements (PGE) and the redox state of the mantle rocks. These investigations will be essential in understanding the melting/enrichment history of the mantle beneath SWIR and will have a key role in the evaluation of a new geodynamic hypothesis on (ultra)slow-spreading rifting processes. The age domains identified from Os isotopes will be integrated with other isotopic tools from other subprojects (Nd, Hf isotopes) to evaluate the axial chemical heterogeneity of SWIR mantle. These investigations will be key in deciphering the various sub-lithospheric domains that were hypothesised to be juxtaposed in the study area. Later, the focus will be on evaluating the redox state of SWIR mantle, which is a key parameter that governs the tectonic and magmatic processes in different geodynamic settings. Oxygen fugacity (fO2) will help tracking the interaction refractory mantle domains and oxidized subduction-related components Further refinements of the geochemical models will be done, since sulphide precipitation (main Os and PGE carrier) is controlled by mantle redox state