Unraveling the Sedimentary Phases of Barium using a Novel Continuous Leaching Technique

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Funds are provided for a two-year proposal for the PIs to apply the automated chromatographic, flow-through analysis technique for ICP-MS to the study behavior of barites and barium in marine sediments. The PIs propose a systematic approach in which they will first apply the FT technique to well-characterized barite from cold seeps to establish the pattern of Sr/Ba variation, ground-truth their results with known samples, and develop the solvent combination necessary for dissolution. They will then adapt the process to more complex marine sediments. The broader goal is to improve our understanding of the Ba in sedimentary cycle. Specifically, the objectives include the learning more about the degree of Sr substitution in barite and its relation to barite preservation in sediments, and the role of various Ba carrying phases in marine sediments and their contribution to the marine Ba cycle. Broader impacts include support to a graduate student and providing important ground-truthing of a paleo-proxy is fundamental to paleo-oceanography.