This $328,588 federal Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation's Geosciences Program (CFDA 47.050) to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) supports research to investigate ancient seafloor hydrothermal alteration and marine chemistry using Proterozoic ophiolites. The project aims to reconstruct past ocean chemistry, including oxygen levels, radiogenic Sr isotopes, and O isotopes, to advance understanding of Earth's early environmental evolution. Key activities include systematic sampling and analysis of three near-complete Proterozoic ophiolite formations, creation of a geochemical database of ophiolites, an interdisciplinary workshop, and training opportunities for a female graduate student as well as international undergraduates and high school students. This research represents a critical step forward in studying the Proterozoic record of ocean-atmosphere interactions, with potential implications for predicting future environmental changes and supporting a diverse scientific workforce.
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