In a new Science Advances publication, Assistant Professor James Dottin III demonstrates how Hydrogen may leak from the core into the lowermost mantle, become entrained in mantle plumes, and mix into the upper mantle. "We typically think about the water cycle on the surface," explained Dottin, "but we often don't consider what happens to water beneath our feet through deep Earth processes." By measuring 2H/1H ratios in olivine-hosted basaltic melt inclusions from a Baffin Island lava, Dottin and his team investigated whether mantle plumes contain Hydrogen from the core. "This means that some the the water you're drinking today might be seeing the surface for the first time since the Earth was formed."
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Department of Earth, Environmental & Planetary Sciences
James W. Dottin III
Assistant Professor
Research Interests
Tectonics Volcanology and Petrology, Geochemistry, Planetary Geoscience
Pronouns
he/him
Biography
I am a geochemist who focuses on measuring and evaluating the causes of sulfur isotope variations in Ocean Island Basalts (OIBs), Martian meteorites, pallasite meteorites, and a variety of lunar materials. The overall goal of my research is to understand how sulfur is processed on various solar system bodies by determining the dynamic interplay of volatiles with a planets' interior, surface, and atmosphere. Ultimately, I aim to use the detailed constraints of sulfur cycling on planets to identify the broad evolution of planets throughout their respective histories.
Recent News
New radiometric dating of material returned from the Moon suggests there was active volcanism 120 million years ago – nearly 2 billion years more recently than previous estimates. Assistant Professor James Dottin III shared his perspective, unconvinced that the three beads are conclusively volcanic.
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DEEPS Assistant Professor James Dottin is featured in the latest installment of PBS's award-winning documentary series, NOVA. The five-part series premiers on October 2nd, and will focus on the solar system.
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Physics Today
Early-career faculty face many challenges
Physics Today contacted early-career faculty in the physical sciences to discuss the unexpected challenges of their new role, including securing funding, building labs, teaching, and recruiting students—often without formal training. Assistant Professor James W. Dottin shared his experience setting up his lab.
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Assistant Professor James W. Dottin III is featured on a recent episode of PBS's science documentary series, NOVA. In the episode, "Ancient Earth: Birth of the Sky," scientists explore the creation of Earth's atmosphere and our familiar blue sky.
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