The Steering Committee for Synchrotron Earth Sciences hosted a 2-day virtual workshop that focused on applications of synchrotron science to geochemical research.  This workshop targeted both those who are less familiar with synchrotron sources – paging all graduate students! – and experienced users who are eager to learn about and to discuss the next generation of synchrotron capabilities for geochemical research.  The symposium was organized by the Steering Committee for Synchrotron Earth Science in response to NSF’s announcement that it is seeking the creation of a new organization to oversee the development of analytical instruments for geoscience research at synchrotron light sources.

Rationale for the Workshop

The last ten years have witnessed major advances in the application of synchrotron tools by Earth scientists to studies in both low-temperature geochemistry (soil science, contaminant geochemistry, biogeochemistry, oceanography) and high-temperature geochemistry (petrology, ore deposits, hydrothermal systems, cosmochemistry).  The newest generation of X-ray light sources available to Earth scientists at US Department of Energy National Laboratories, including ultra-high emittance upgrades now being implemented, offer orders-of-magnitude increases in brightness, coherence, sensitivity, and spatial resolution.

These advances are coupled with innovative developments that have led to improved efficiency and to the ability to interrogate samples at ever smaller length scales and under a variety of conditions. Enhancements include improvements in X-ray optics, detector efficiency, technologies for multimodal analysis, new sample environments for in-situ and in-operando analysis of Earth materials under a variety of Earth- and space-relevant conditions, and new approaches to data processing that increasingly take advantage of machine learning. As a result, Earth scientists are poised for a revolution in the characterization of systems that have long lain beyond the reach of conventional techniques:  in-operando studies of fluids and nanophases; soft tissue nanotomography; 3D-imaging of trace elements across the periodic table; and multi-modal coupling of spectroscopic techniques that allow researchers to evaluate simultaneously the chemistry and crystallography of a system. 

Description

This virtual workshop featured presentations on the applications of synchrotrons to a range of fields in geochemistry from 20 Earth scientists using these techniques in their research today.  Further, synchrotron facility representatives provided the community with perspectives on future facility developments.  At the conclusion of the workshop, stakeholders from across the geochemistry community participated in a round-table discussion leading to a white paper on the future of geochemical research at synchrotron light sources.

Agenda

Click here to view the workshop agenda, including a list of speakers and the titles of their talks (PDF)

Summary

The workshop committee conducted a pre-workshop survey as well as a roundtable discussion at the end of day two.  Click here for a summary of both as well as attendance and other workshop information.

Click here to view YouTube playlist featuring video recordings of the presentations given during this virtual workshop.

Be sure to subscribe to the GSECARS channel to get updates from this workshop as well as future events!

Jointly hosted by the GeoSoilEnviro Center for Advanced Radiation Sources (GSECARS) and the Consortium for Materials Properties Research in Earth Sciences (COMPRES).

Workshop Organizers are:

Peter Heaney (Penn State University)
Joanne Stubbs and Tony Lanzirotti (GSECARS/Univ. Chicago)
Paul Fenter (Argonne National Laboratory)
Satish C. Myneni (Princeton University)
Ben Gilbert (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
Thomas Duffy (Princeton University)