William M. White, Cornell University
Professor
Ithaca, New York
wmw4@cornell.edu
Office:
(607) 255-7466
Expert In
Bio/Research
White's primary research interest is the large-scale chemical evolution and dynamics of the Earth, particularly the origin of mantle plumes and the volcanoes they produced. The primary tools in this effort have been radiogenic isotopes (e.g.,87Sr, 206Pb) and trace element abundances in basalts, w...
Click to Expand >>
Click to Expand >>
Bio/Research
White's primary research interest is the large-scale chemical evolution and dynamics of the Earth, particularly the origin of mantle plumes and the volcanoes they produced. The primary tools in this effort have been radiogenic isotopes (e.g.,87Sr, 206Pb) and trace element abundances in basalts, which are produced by partial melting of the mantle. Isotope ratios of radiogenic elements (e.g., the 87Sr/86Sr ratio) are of particular use because (1) isotope ratios of heavy elements are not chemically fractionated, hence a ratio such as 87Sr/86Sr in a basalt is the same as that in its mantle source; and (2) the abundance of radiogenic elements changes with time due to radioactive decay, thus isotope ratios provide critical evolutionary perspective on the Earth. His second interest is the chemical evolution of the oceans. Stable isotopes are useful in this area because they can provide information on paleotemperatures and the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and sulfur. This in turn relates to the abundance of atmospheric oxygen and carbon in the past. Studies that combine both table isotope and radiogenic isotope ratios represent perhaps the best hope for understanding the paleochemistry of the oceans, and indirectly, the long term controls on Earth's climate.
Click to Shrink <<
Click to Shrink <<