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Department of Earth Sciences

 

My research interests center around the application of non-traditional stable isotope systems to understanding the formation and evolution of planetary interiors. I'm interested in topics such as accretion, core formation and the evolution of mantle redox state, isotopic tracing of depleted and enriched mantle components, element cycling and the oxidation state of subduction zones and the secular evolution of the Earth’s mantle.

My research tools are the stable (naturally occurring) isotopes of the transition metals (elements such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel and platinum), geological samples of planetary mantles like volcanic rocks and meteorites, and high-pressure and/or high-temperature experiments that simulate the conditions inside planetary interiors. I'm also interested in using isotope tools to unravel surface processes such biogeochemical cycles and weathering at high latitudes and the export of metals from subglacial meltwaters into rivers and oceans, something that will become increasing important in our warmining climate. In the future I hope that we can also use these novel stable isotope systems to increase our understanding of how metals critical to the green energy transition can become concentrated in deposits near the Earth's surface. My research is primarily funded by the ERC (Consolidator Grant 'HabitablePlanet' and, more recently, Advanced Grant 'EarthMelt') and NERC.  I've also mentored a number of independent research fellows (IRFs) funding by programs such as the Humboldt Foundation and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and I'm always happy to mentor and support folk with fellowship applications to come and work with me.

My analytical work and isotope analyses are carried out using multi-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) in the clean lab geochemistry suite in Department. Much of my group's research uses the two Thermo Neptune Plus MC-ICP-MS instruments in our clean laboratories.  As part of the 'EarthMelt' ERC project we will shortly be installing a new Thermo Neoma MC-ICP-MS instrument equipped with a MS/MS collision-reaction-cell. This instrument will enable us to carry out gas-phase reactions to remove interfering species on elements of interest and will be a new and exciting development in geochemistry. 

Geochemistry, Petrology and Cosmochemistry

Research

Helen’s research interests center around the application of non-traditional stable isotope systems to understanding the formation and evolution of planetary interiors. Her work includes topics such as accretion, core formation and the evolution of mantle redox state, isotopic tracing of depleted and enriched mantle components, element cycling and the oxidation state of subduction zones and the secular evolution of the Earth’s mantle. Her research has involved using stable iron isotope analyses and high-pressure experiments to understand interactions between the Earth's mantle and the evolution of the Earth’s earliest mantle and, most recently, iron and zinc stable isotopes in subducted serpentinite rocks to understand the nature of slab fluids and subduction zone processes.  Helen is a recipient of a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant (“HabitablePlanet”) Project and is one of the PIs involved in the NERC "Deep Volatiles" Consortia.  She is also a Co-I on NERC grants involving the cycling and concentration of chalcophile elements at convergent margins and studying the Earth's earliest magnetic field. Helen also collaborates on a number projects using non-traditional stable isotopes to explore weathering processes and biogeochemical cycling.

Publications

Key publications: 

Recent publications can be found in the publications database here

Professor (Grade 11) of Geochemistry
Dr Helen M. Williams

Contact Details

Email address: 
Downing Site - S310
Downing Street
Cambridge
CB2 3EQ
+44 (0) 1223 333411
Takes PhD students

Affiliations

Classifications: 
Person keywords: 
Petrology
Stable isotopes
Rock Magnetism
Volcanology
Geochemistry
Mineral Magnetism
Subject: