Reports: B2

48316-B2 Isotopic Identification of Ion Sources, Spatial Distribution, and Temporal Development of Biogenic Secondary Minerals Within Porous Rocks

Erik Melchiorre, California State University (San Bernardino)

Year 1 of this project included a substantial period of field work to the Atacama Desert of Chile during the PI’s sabbatical leave. This field work was successfully completed, having collected samples of nitrate minerals from 28 diverse localities. At some of these sample sites, a suite of samples were collected with depth, and across an E-W traverse of the deposit to provide 3-D control. In addition, copper nitrate minerals were collected at three more sites. Additional nitrate minerals and specimens were collected from the Mojave Desert of California. All nitrate minerals are being prepared for stable isotope analysis, which should be completed before the end of the year. XRF, EDS, and optical characterization of the samples is about 50% complete for these samples, and should also be completed by the end of the year. Additional field work in year 2 will build upon the collaborations initiated this past year with researchers in Chile.