Elements Magazine

15/10/2025

🚀Journey through decades of discovery with Elements’ new issue: SAMPLE RETURN THROUGH THE AGES (October 2025; vol. 21, no. 5) 🔬https://www.elementsmagazine.org

Sample return missions allow us to not only hold pieces of distant worlds in the palms of our hands, but also to probe the origins of the Solar System and our own existence. In the last six decades, precious samples—astromaterials—have been retrieved directly from the Moon, asteroids, a comet’s tail, and even solar wind. These endeavors have provided unique insights into the geological and chemical histories of a wide variety of celestial bodies, including our home, Earth. In the next decade, humanity will return to the Moon for the first time this century and set its collective sight farther afield to collect samples from Mars and its moon Phobos. Beyond that lies the frontier of sample return—icy bodies—a global endeavor that will require the development of advanced technologies and international partnerships to return astromaterials from the outer reaches of our Solar System. We are living through the golden era of sample return missions; this issue of Elements demonstrates the power of miner­alogical, petrological, and geochemical studies of oftentimes small amounts of material to learn about the formation and evolution of planetary bodies, the Solar System, and our place in it.

FEATURED ARTICLES:

🛰️ To See a World in a Grain of Sand – By Jessica J. Barnes (University of Arizona, USA) and Jemma Davidson (ARES, NASA Johnson Space Center, USA)

🛰️ It’s Not Just a Phase: Over 50 Years of Lunar Sample Science – By Katherine Joy (University of Manchester, UK), Jessica Barnes (University of Arizona, USA), Xiaochao Che (Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, China), and Bradley Jolliff (Washington University in St. Louis, USA)

🛰️ Seeing Red: Retrieving Rocks from Mars and Phobos – By Arya Udry (University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA), Amanda Ostwald (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and Michigan State University, USA), and Tomohiro Usui (JAXA, Japan)

🛰️ One’s Trash is Another’s Treasure: Cosmic Rubble Piles – By Hikaru Yabuta (Hiroshima University, Japan), Timothy McCoy (Smithsonian Institution, USA), and Conel O.’D. Alexander (Carnegie Institution of Washington, USA)

🛰️ Space Weathering: Clear with a Chance of Solar Wind and Micrometeoroid Showers – By Michelle Thompson (Purdue University, USA), Amy Jurewicz (Arizona State University and Dartmouth College, USA), and Takaaki Noguchi (Kyoto University, Japan)

🛰️ Ice to Meet You: Sampling Cold Bodies – By Perry Gerakines (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, USA), Stefanie Milam (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, USA), and Penny Wozniakiewicz (University of Kent, UK)

Read the full issue: https://www.elementsmagazine.org

💫 Join a participating society and get Elements delivered to your door—six geo-educational magazines per year and full access to professional membership benefits. 🌎

15/10/2025

✨In case you missed it! ✨
While our website was briefly offline, several exciting articles on Re-Os quietly made their debut — and they’re too good to overlook. Don’t miss these special papers:

📘 The Re-Os Revolution: Mighty Messages From Two of Earth’s Rarest Elements — By Laurie Reisberg and Holly Stein

📘 Sulfides and Their Little Darling, Molybdenite — By Holly Stein, Aaron Zimmerman, Gang Yang, Robert A. Creaser, and Katsuhiko Suzuki

📘 Reel-to-Reel Re-Os Records: Earth System Transactions Preserved in Sediments — By Brian Kendall, Robert A. Creaser, Judith L. Hannah, Vineet Goswami, and Gyana Tripathy

📘Osmium and Tungsten Isotopes Reveal Earth’s Youthful Exuberance —
By Igor S. Puchtel, Richard J. Walker, Sonja Aulbach, and Vickie C. Bennett

📘 The Osmium Isotope Perspective on the Dynamics of the Post-Archean Mantle — By Ambre Luguet, Elisabeth Widom, and Jingao Liu

🔗 Read them all here: https://www.elementsmagazine.org/re-os-clock-with-clout/

Stay tuned — more exciting new issues of Elements are on their way soon!

08/09/2025

Elements: An International Magazine for Geochemistry, Mineralogy, and Petrology is soliciting thematic proposals for its 2027 publication lineup.

The next submission deadline is September 25, 2025.

Submission guidelines and a proposal template can be found at https://www.elementsmagazine.org/publish-in-elements/

A thematic proposal is a short document that includes:
-- Proposed issue title

-- Proposed guest editor name(s) and full contact information

-- Overall scope (1–2 paragraphs describing the topic and why it is important to cover in Elements)

-- Proposed articles (1 introduction + 5 chapters) with brief yet detailed descriptions, proposed authors, and their institutions. Please note that author confirmation is not required for proposal submission.

-- Summary of related coverage previously published elsewhere, if applicable

Questions? Seeking feedback on a draft proposal?
Contact [email protected].

Annual proposal deadlines: March 25 and September 25.

We thank you in advance for your initiative!

14/08/2025

Explore the latest issue of Elements: "Re-Os – Clock with Clout" (August 2025; vol. 21, no. 4) https://www.elementsmagazine.org

The Re-Os radiometric isotope system features two of silicate Earth’s rarest elements. This couple’s unique combination of siderophile, chalcophile, and organophile properties allows it to play an outsized role, both as a geochronometer and as a source tracer, answering questions that cannot be addressed by other radiometric systems. Successive analytical breakthroughs have led to increasingly challenging and original applications that are reviewed in this issue of Elements. The Re-Os system tells us about Earth’s accretion and the evolution of the convecting and lithospheric mantle over time. Novel applications to the Earth’s crust include dating molybdenite and a host of other sulfides and oxides, deducing paleoenvironment and paleoclimate from organic material in shales, balancing continental versus oceanic–hydrothermal input to seawater, and reconstructing complex petroleum systems.

Read the full issue at https://www.elementsmagazine.org.

11/07/2025

In this special Goldschmidt TV interview, we sit down with Esther Posner, Executive Editor of Elements Magazine, as the publication celebrates its 20th anniv...

03/06/2025

Now available online and in print: GREENALITE (June 2025; vol. 21, no. 3).

The early Earth, like countless other wet rocky planets, was predestined to make greenalite given the environments and conditions that prevailed in the ancient hydrosphere. The magma-driven circulation of seawater through ancient mafic/ultramafic crust and subsequent venting of hydrothermal fluids into oxygen-free oceans produced ideal conditions for the formation of vast plumes of nanoparticulate greenalite. This process is now seen by some as a key driver in the deposition of banded iron formations, chemical sedimentary rocks ubiquitous on the young Earth and host rocks of most of the world’s iron deposits. At first glance, greenalite is easily overlooked. Indeed, its minute size and inconspicuous optical properties allowed its true extent to go unnoticed until the use of nanoscale microanalysis in the last decade. This issue of Elements details the unique crystal structure of greenalite and its distribution in a range of geological environments. The processes under which greenalite forms and its role in understanding H2 production during serpentinization are also discussed. Lastly, this issue explores the potential of greenalite as an inorganic substrate in the assembly of biomolecules on primordial Earth.

Read more at elementsmagazine.org.

28/05/2025

A new position is open at the Bayerisches Geoinstitut of the University of Bayreuth in Germany, home to the editorial office of Elements Magazine. Please share this announcement with your professional network.

Research Scientist (fixed term) (Akademischer Rat/Akademische Rätin auf Zeit) in experimental geosciences.

The Bayerisches Geoinstitut (www.bgi.uni-bayreuth.de) is a leading institution for research in Earth and planetary sciences using advanced
experimental, analytical and computational techniques. Current research activities focus on understanding the internal structure, dynamics and evolution of the Earth and planets.

The successful applicant is expected to carry out independent research in any field of experimental geosciences, including—but not limited to—mineral physics, petrology, geochemistry, cosmochemistry, geodynamics, planetology, volcanology, or ore deposits. Responsibilities will also include laboratory management and the acquisition of external research funding.

The position can be filled for six years. A formal requirement for application is a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences or a related field and a good research record as demonstrated by publications in international journals. Applications should include a CV, publication list, copies of university certificates, a short (2 page) statement of research interests and the contact details of three referees.

Applications should be sent in one single pdf file to [email protected] until August 1, 2025. Informal inquiries may be directed to Hans Keppler ([email protected], phone +49 921 553744).

The University of Bayreuth is an equal opportunity employer and views the diversity of its staff as an asset. It is expressly committed to the goal of gender equality.

01/04/2025

Explore the latest issue of Elements: BIOMINERAL GEOCHEMISTRY: WINDOWS INTO PAST CLIMATES AND CALCIFICATION (April 2025; vol. 21, no. 2). Now available online and in print. https://elementsmagazine.org

Marine calcium carbonate biominerals, especially the shells and skeletons produced by molluscs, corals, and the immeasurably numerous calcifying phytoplankton and zooplankton, are of both societal and environmental importance for two key reasons. Firstly, the mineralised remains of these organisms are one of the largest long­-term sinks of carbon on Earth’s surface. Secondly, and perhaps more practically, the (trace) element and isotopic composition of these biominerals probably represents the most widely applied tool for quantitatively reconstructing past environmental conditions on timescales from days to millions of years. It has been known for some time that the processes of biomineralisation imprint on these ‘proxy’ systems, shifting their behaviour away from thermodynamic equilibrium, such that they typically require empirical calibration to an environmental variable of interest. The generally poor understanding of the physics and chemistry of these biomineralisation processes therefore introduces uncertainty both into our palaeo­-reconstructions and provides significant limits to our ability to accurately predict the future response of the marine carbon cycle to anthropogenic ocean acidification. However, it has recently become apparent that this biological imprint also offers a unique opportunity—skeletal and shell geochemical information can be leveraged to constrain various aspects of physiology including the biomineralisation process to non­invasively understand the organisms themselves. In this issue of Elements, a series of articles showcase how low­-temperature proxy systems can offer insights into both paleoenvironmental change, as well as the mechanistic processes involved in biomineral formation. Ultimately, our aim is to highlight how the two fields could be more closely connected via research into the controls on biomineral chemistry.

Read the full issue at https://elementsmagazine.org

17/02/2025

Discover the fascinating new issue of Elements: BIRTH AND GROWTH OF MINERALS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS (February 2025; vol. 21, no. 1) https://elementsmagazine.org
Now available online and in print.

The birth and growth of minerals from aqueous solutions is a ubiquitous process in both natural and engineered environments. This research field has recently experienced a paradigm shift due to the discovery of non-classical nucleation and growth processes. These insights have helped us to understand better the natural world and significantly impact various industrial and environmental applications, such as the development of more sustainable building materials, mineral processing, CO2 storage, and water treatment. Consequently, detailed knowledge of the mechanisms and kinetics underlying mineral nucleation and growth is vital in these areas. This issue provides a comprehensive overview of mineral formation by reviewing classical mechanisms and supplementing them with recent insights about the nucleation and growth of minerals, particularly those concerning non-classical crystallization pathways.

Read the full issue at https://elementsmagazine.org

22/01/2025

Elements Magazine is partnering with UC Davis to share this exciting opportunity:

Postdoctoral Position in Stable Isotope Geochemistry

Join the DRIAR (Dry Rifting in Albertine and Rhino Graben) project at UC Davis' Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and contribute to cutting-edge research on magma-poor rifting in the East African Rift System (EARS). The department offers a world-class, intellectually stimulating environment that values its people and fosters innovative research aimed at addressing significant scientific and societal challenges in Earth and Planetary Sciences.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher in geochemistry and stable isotope geochemistry to contribute to an integrated 3-D geophysical, geological, geochemical, and geodynamic study. In this role, the postdoctoral fellow will:

1. Investigate the chemical and isotopic signatures of volatiles (CO2 and 3He/4He) and gas flux (CO2) to assess the extent of magma sources beneath the rift system.
2. Use He-C relationships to quantitatively assess volatile inputs from the mantle to the crust and surface.
3. Quantify the variability of tectonic CO2 flux to the atmosphere associated with rifting.
4. Compile and synthesize published and unpublished data for hot springs in amagmatic and magmatic continental Rift systems.
5. Perform other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in geochemistry or a related field.
- Strong computational, modeling, and analytical skills.
- Experience with stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry (a must).
- Ability to mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
- Proven ability to conduct independent research and disseminate results in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.

Application Materials:
Please submit your CV, a cover letter outlining how your research experience and interests relate to the geochemistry and stable isotope geochemistry of aqueous systems and gases, and the contact information for three referees who will provide letters of reference.

Be part of a multidisciplinary research team advancing understanding of continental rifting processes!

To apply, please use the link

University of California, Davis is hiring. Apply now!

03/12/2024

Enjoy the latest issue of Elements: HIMALAYAN LEUCOGRANITES (December 2024; vol. 20, no. 6) https://www.elementsmagazine.org
Now available online and in print.

The Himalaya, the youngest and largest mountain range on Earth, is home to 10 of the world’s 14 mountain peaks higher than 8000 meters above sea level, including the highest Qomolangma Peak, widely known as Mt. Everest (8848 m). Leucogranites are exposed intermittently throughout over 2000 km along the crest of the Himalaya, forming on the summits or as an essential component of these high peaks. These Himalayan leucogranites are quintessential examples of crust anatexis associated with collisional orogenesis. They provide a rare opportunity to explore the interplay of geodynamics, tectonics, and magmatism in a classic continental collisional setting. Extensive studies on these leucogranites have significantly advanced our understanding of crustal anatexis, felsic magma differentiation, and the tectonic evolution of the Himalayan­-Tibetan Orogen. This issue of Elements reviews the petrogenesis and significance of Himalayan leucogranites, focusing on their tectonic and geodynamic context, source rocks, petrology, geochemistry, and genetic links to orogenesis and economic resources. This issue not only summarizes the state­-of-­the­art research on Himalayan leucogranites but also presents an example of how a multidisciplinary approach can elucidate granite petrogenesis and associated mineralization and orogenic evolution.

Read the full issue at https://elementsmagazine.org/

28/11/2024

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