Testing continental growth models with calcium and strontium isotopes

该项目旨在利用古代火成岩和沉积岩中的钙和锶同位素，绘制37.5亿至28亿年前地球原始地幔和海洋的演化图。关于地球大陆生长的时间和速度的争论有望有一个新颖的解决方案。预期的成果包括建立用于追踪地质和环境过程的创新分析工具，以及加强与国外主要研究机构的合作联系。该项目的重大好处包括加强对早期生命进化环境的理解，以及对澳大利亚大陆丰富矿化核心形成的新见解。

The Project aims to chart the evolution of the Earth’s primordial mantle and oceans between 3.75 and 2.8 billion years ago using calcium and strontium isotopes in ancient igneous and sedimentary rocks. A novel solution to the controversy over the timing and rate of growth of the Earth’s continents is expected. Anticipated outcomes include the establishment of innovative analytical tools for tracing geological and environmental processes, and stronger collaborative links with premier research institutions abroad. The significant benefits of the Project include an enhanced understanding of the environment in which early life evolved, and fresh insight into the formation of the richly mineralized nucleus of the Australian continent.