Principal Investigator Shuhei Ono
Project Website http://eaps.mit.edu/ono/MIT%20stable%20isotope%20geobiolgy/Home.html
Research interests lie in interplay among atmosphere, rock, water and microbe. We apply stable isotope systems, in particular, multiple-sulfur isotope ratios (32S/33S/34S/36S) to explore frontiers in isotope geochemistry. Current research projects include, early microbial evolution (Archean Geochemsitry), deep biosphere, and seafloor hydrothermal deposits.
The goal of this research program is to be one of the premier stable isotope geochemistry laboratories to address forefront scientific questions in the earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences. To this end, we may focus on technical challenges that others have not been able to overcome. We will create a collegial and productive environment that is conducive to developing new ideas and testing new approaches.
Sulfur is the key element for the metabolisms of early life and microbes in sediments. We apply high-precision analysis of multiple sulfur ratios (32S/33S/34S/36S) to trace water-microbe-rock interactions. Currently we are exploring three different but closely related topics:
(1) Deep time geochemistry: Archean sulfur cycles(2) Deep biosphere in oceanic crusts, and (3) Sulfur cycles at seafloor hydrothermal systems
Work is also expanding research into other isotope systems, including 12C/13C and 16O/17O/18O.