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Geochemistry and Environmental Chemistry
Sumino Laboratory

Deciphering the past, present, and future of the Earth and environment from isotopes

Isotope geochemistry and environmental chemistry of volatile elements

In order to understand the formation and evolutionary process of the Earth resulting in the present global environment, we are conducting isotope geochemistry and environmental chemistry research by determining the concentrations and isotope ratios of noble gases and other highly volatile elements in meteorites, rocks and minerals derived from deep interior of the Earth. In particular, we aim to reveal the origin and cycling of water, which makes the Earth a habitable planet.

Noble gas isotopes (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) are useful tracers for clarifying the origin and history of natural samples because they have diverse origins. However, most of them are extremely scarce and require special analytical techniques. We have developed state-of-the-art mass spectrometers for ultra-sensitive analysis of noble gas isotopes in various types of samples, solid, liquid, and gas.

Contributing to disaster prevention and resource assessment by isotope analysis

Helium isotope ratios in fumaroles and hot springs in volcanoes can be used as an indicator of the activity of magma that causes eruption disasters. The eruption history of a volcano can also be revealed from the He and Ar isotopes in the rocks due to the radioactive decay of other elements and cosmic ray irradiation at the surface. We are developing a method to evaluate the degree of eruption imminence and to predict the post-eruption processes based on the noble gas isotope ratios of various volcanic products.

Where the groundwater came from and how long it has been flowing underground are important in assessing the quantity and safety of groundwater as a water resource. Analysis of tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, and 3He, an isotope of He, provides information on the residence time of groundwater.

We contribute to disaster prevention and resource assessment using noble gas isotope analysis and promote the understanding of global environmental change in the past, present, and future.

  • Magnetic sector mass spectrometer for noble gas isotope analysis

    Magnetic sector mass spectrometer for noble gas isotope analysis

  • Primordial meteorite preserving information on the early solar system

    Primordial meteorite preserving information on the early solar system

  • Collecting volcanic gas samples from a fumarole

    Collecting volcanic gas samples from a fumarole

Member

  • Hirochika SUMINO
  • Specialized field: Isotope geochemistry and cosmochemistry, Environmental chemistry, Volatile geochemistry, Mass spectrometry
Research Associate Yuki HIBIYA

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