As a specialist in isotope geochemistry and geochronology, i address scientific questions on planetary surface processes using geochemical analyses on rock, mineral, and glass samples from earth,…

The University of California, Berkeley received a $504,184.68 research grant from a civilian federal agency (Shared Services Center) awarded on January 3, 2020, with completion targeted for November 4, 2024. The grant supports isotope geochemistry and geochronology research conducted at UC Berkeley's mass spectrometry laboratories to advance Mars 2020 sample analysis capabilities. The research addresses six key scientific objectives: quantifying the timing of Martian impact features using radioisotope geochronology techniques (40Ar/39Ar, U-Pb, and (U-Th)/He systematics); measuring surface exposure ages and cosmogenic nuclide production rates; constraining cosmic ray fluence and radiation damage to near-surface samples; determining sediment provenance and exhumation rates through thermochronology; reconstructing near-surface temperature histories using noble gas nuclides; and constraining past atmospheric compositions from trapped gases in solid samples. This research directly supports sample analysis protocols for the NASA Mars 2020 mission, ensuring that future laboratory analyses of collected Martian materials can effectively address critical planetary science questions.

The award carries no set-aside designation, indicating competitive selection based on technical merit. UC Berkeley, as a premier research institution and 1862 land-grant university, serves as a frequent federal contractor and grantee across diverse scientific domains including space exploration, materials science, and advanced research. The university's comprehensive mass spectrometry facilities and specialized expertise in planetary geochemistry position it as a critical partner for NASA's Mars sample analysis initiatives, bridging fundamental scientific understanding with practical applications in planetary exploration and astrobiology.

As a specialist in isotope geochemistry and geochronology, i address scientific questions on planetary surface processes using geochemical analyses on rock, mineral, and glass samples from earth, apollo lunar samples, and martian meteorites in my mass spectrometry laboratories at berkeley. In this proposal, i address important considerations for mars 2020 sample collection to ensure the success of future laboratory analyses to address problems associated with the following science questions: (i) quantifying timing of specific impact features and surfaces on mars using radioisotope geochronology (with a focus on 40AR/39AR, u-PB and (u-TH)/he systematics) on breccias, impact glass and minerals, (II) quantifying surface exposure ages and cosmogenic nuclides production rates, (III) placing quantitative constraints on the cosmic RAY fluence and associated radiation damage experienced by near-surface samples, (IV) quantifying sediment provenance geochronology and exhumation/erosion rates using thermochronology, (v) quantifying near-surface temperature histories using open system behavior of noble gas nuclides (both radiogenic and cosmogenic), (VI) constraining past atmospheric compositions from gasses trapped in solids.