Emma Waters

I am a NERC-DTP funded PhD student at The University of Manchester working in the Isotope Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry group. My research investigates the halogen heterogeneity of Iceland’s mantle source. Halogen elements (F, Cl, Br and I) are highly volatile and incompatible elements which are concentrated in Earth’s surface seawater and sediment reservoirs. These reservoirs are included in subducting slabs, making halogens promising tracers for recycled subducted material. I will be analysing the halogen content of crystal hosted melt inclusions from different eruptions in Iceland to investigate the role of recycled crustal material in the heterogeneity of Iceland’s mantle.

Due to the small size of melt inclusions I use microbeam techniques such as electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Throughout the project I aim to be a competent user of these techniques. I have already undertaken training courses through NERC and the EAO DTP for EPMA which have been highly beneficial.

Fieldwork in Iceland allows me to examine the sites I work on and collect samples to bring back to the lab. I have completed one field season in summer 2017 and will be heading back out in July 2018.

Being part of research group has been a great part of my PhD as it has provided a supportive community to talk about ideas, practice presenting and socialise with. In addition to our research the group is very active with public outreach and I have participated in several events to make the public more aware of what we do in the lab.

Before coming to Manchester I obtained a BSc (Hons) Earth Science from the University of Glasgow. While in Glasgow I researched the origin of the Scardroy inlier in the Moine Supergroup using whole rock geochemistry (ICP-MS and ICP-OES) and I maintain an interest in Scottish Highland geology.