Synchrotron radiation has led to major advances across the geosciences including new insights into: the mechanisms of the olivine-spinel transition; pressure and temperature induced coordination changes of cations in silicate melts; the phase transition and thermal expansion of perovskite; the structure of solid hydrogen; the depletion of the earth's ozone layer by extraterrestrial halogens; multinuclear metal sorption complexes on mineral surfaces, metal-bearing vapors in magma chambers; the oxidation state of the upper mantle. The availability of the GeoSoilEnviroCARS beamlines at the APS allows extension to much lower concentration levels, low Z elements, low dimensionality materials (surfaces and interfaces), small volume samples, and transient phenomena. Major areas that greatly benefit include fundamental trace element partitioning and bonding, petrogenesis of strategic elements, phase transitions in solid hydrogen, high pressure properties of iron and its alloys, and chemical reactions on mineral surfaces.

X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy

X-ray Diffraction and Scattering

X-ray Fluorescence Microprobe & Microtomography

High Pressure Research - Diamond Anvil Cell

High Pressure Research - Large Volume Press 

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