Geochemistry – Institute of Mineralogy – Leibniz University Hannover

Research Group Geochemistry

Prof. Dr. Stefan Weyer

The focus of the Geochemistry Group is the development and application of new research approaches. We develop protocols for the analysis of "non-traditional isotope systems" in the Earth sciences. Our fields of research include the origin and differentiation of the Earth and other terrestrial planets, the evolution of the early Earth, diffusional isotope fractionation and time scales of magmatic processes.

Lab technology

We work on the geochemistry of metals in modern and past oceans and in the environment. For the analyses, our are equipped with multi-collector mass spectrometers and femtosecond lasers. We are particularly specialised in the analysis of stable metal isotope ratios such as iron or uranium. A special feature is the fact that we can measure many stable isotopes such as lithium, magnesium or vanadium with high precision, enabling us to analyse zoned crystals with high spatial resolution.
Furthermore, we also develop methods for the in-situ measurement of the trace element and isotopic composition of fluid inclusions with LA-ICP-MS.