Workshops

“DINGUE VI” (Developments in Noble Gas Understanding and Expertise) workshop

Thursday 15th August 18:00 - Saturday 17th August 18:00
Contacts: Henner Busemann, Evelyn Füri, My Riebe, Diane Mantel
Website

Full details (PDF)

The international noble gas geo- and cosmochemistry community is invited to discuss all technical and scientific aspects of new and established noble gas applications to terrestrial and extraterrestrial science. Sessions will cover a wide range of topics from cosmochemistry, the evolution of the Earth, mantle geochemistry, volcanism, chronology to paleoclimatology, fluids and the evolution of the crust-atmosphere system. Noble gas results from natural samples, experiments, and modelling should equally be included. Another important aspect is to share experiences related to noble gas extraction and mass spectrometry and present new state-of-the-art technical developments. Hence, we also welcome the attendance of industrial representatives. Most importantly, we aim to enable broad discussions that result in knowledge transfer and new collaborations. We plan oral presentations for Friday and Saturday, a poster session, and a welcome event on Thursday evening. The workshop will end on Saturday evening.

2nd Atom Probe Tomography Workshop for Earth Sciences

Saturday 17th August 08:30 - Sunday 18th August 17:00
Contacts: Steven Reddy, Alberto Perez-Huerta
Location: A0.02, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 130€

Atom probe tomography (APT) is an advanced materials characterization technique, which is known for high spatial resolution and analytical sensitivity, and provides 3D quantitative compositional measurement of elements and isotopes at atomic resolutions. Though a relatively recent analytical development in the Earth sciences, the application of atom probe microscopy to an increasing range of geological materials is providing fundamentally new and detailed geochemical insights for a multitude of nanoscale geological processes.
This workshop will be held over 2 days and will provide an update on the progress of APT development and application in Earth Sciences, including aspects of atom probe theory, sample preparation, and data acquisition and analysis. The workshop format will involve a series of talks (45 + 15 minutes) from leaders in the APT field of geosciences. The workshop will provide an informal but intensive introduction to the technique, but will also provide established atom probe researchers with a rare opportunity to explore the details of current ideas and developments in APT research.

A Hands-on Course in Reactive Transport Modelling

Saturday 17th August 08:30 - Sunday 18th August 17:00
Contacts: Craig Bethke, Kate Maher, Brian Farrell, Qusheng Jin
Location: A1.02, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Website
Price: 120€

Please join us for two days of hands-on training in reactive transport modelling using The Geochemist's Workbench^®. Following a fully hands-on format, you will learn to construct, trace, and interpret models of transport in reacting geochemical systems. Specific topics covered include: an introduction to geochemical modelling; transport in flowing groundwater; dual porosity models (stagnant zones); K_d, Freundlich, and Langmuir sorption; surface complexation; colloid-facilitated transport; reaction kinetics; biodegradation; dissolution and precipitation; microbial catalysis and growth; effective graphical presentation; and creating animation and video. The topics will be illustrated by the instructors through a series of case studies.

Advances in Laser Ablation Carbonate U-Pb Geochronology

Saturday 17th August 08:30 - Sunday 18th August 17:00
Contacts: Nick M W Roberts, Catherine Mottram, Perach Nuriel, Axel Gerdes
Location: A1.14, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Website
Price: 60€/30€

Recent advances in laser ablation carbonate U-Pb geochronology have opened up the possibilities for providing timing constraints to a range of previously ‘undateable’ geological materials and processes. These include applications to a variety of geological settings, including, sedimentary deposition and diagenesis, hydrothermal mineralization, pedogenesis, paleohydrology and brittle deformation. The goal of this workshop is twofold: first, to share experiences in analysis, application and interpretation, and second, to review, update, and discuss best practice for laser ablation carbonate U-Pb geochronology methods. The workshop will cover subjects through the entire workflow, including: sample selection and preparation, imaging techniques, instrumentation and protocols, carbonate reference materials, data reduction and corrections, and age interpretation. The workshop will also highlight developments in complimentary analyses such as stable and clumped isotope geochemistry, trace element composition, fluid inclusions, and strain analysis, and will include discussion of key issues within the application to timing of geological events and processes. This workshop will provide a platform for community discussion of best practice and future avenues for carbonate geochronology. Many issues relating to carbonate dating are equally applicable to other common-lead bearing minerals. It is intended that the workshop will be useful to a spectrum of scientists, from those collecting and interpreting data, to those who are interested in applying the method for the first time. The workshop is affiliated with the LA-ICP-MS U-Pb Network (plasmage.org) and the EARTHTIME community initiative (earth-time.org). The workshop will be spread over two days, with an optional dinner in the city arranged for the Saturday evening. The first sessions on Saturday will introduce the method and cover key aspects of its application and the major progress made in the last few years. A poster session following the talks, supplemented by nano-talks, will allow the attendees to present case studies, discuss issues with their data, and highlight the multitude of applications of this method. The workshop will continue on Sunday morning, with further discussion of general topics relating to samples and to applications. The Sunday afternoon will continue with a more detailed discussion on issues surrounding data collection, reduction and presentation. Sunday’s format will involve a number of sub-themes that are introduced and chaired by the organisers along with invited key members of the community.

Introduction to Thermodynamic Calculations and Diagrams with CHNOSZ

Saturday 17th August 08:30 - Sunday 18th August 17:00
Contacts: Kristin Johnson, Miao Yu, Evgeniy Bastrakov, Jeffrey Dick
Location: A1.12, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Website
Price: 130€

CHNOSZ is a free R package for thermodynamic calculations and diagrams in geochemistry and geobiochemistry. It combines thermodynamic methods applicable to 1000 °C and 5000 bar derived from SUPCRT with the powerful R computing environment to enable both interactive and scripted use, a high degree of reproducibility, and publication-quality graphics output. Over the course of this two-day workshop, participants will calculate standard-state properties of species and reactions, set up chemical systems using basis species, automatically balance reactions, and use chemical affinity and equilibration methods to create chemical activity diagrams, including Eh-pH, logfO2-T, and ion activity ratio diagrams. Participants will become familiar with common tasks such as setting mineral redox buffers and exporting computational results, and more advanced usage including adding species to the database and comparing alternative datasets. Those interested in sulfide minerals will benefit in particular from CHNOSZ's mosaic diagram functionality, which accounts for the changes in basis species across the diagram. We will review new features such as solubility calculations for carbonate minerals and gold and alternative water models that are applicable to higher temperature and pressure. The morning sessions will illustrate the thermodynamic concepts through code demos, and in the afternoons participants will be guided through structured hands-on activities. By the completion of the workshop, the participants will be sufficiently familiarized with CHNOSZ to boost their research, teaching and reporting productivity. No prior R experience is required.

Modeling Local Phase Equilibria – An introduction to Theriak-Domino, XMapTools and Bingo-Antidote

Saturday 17th August 08:30 - Sunday 18th August 17:00
Contacts: Erik Duesterhoeft, Pierre Lanari
Location: A1.03, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Website
Price: 200€

Equilibrium thermodynamics has played a central role in the investigation and quantification of various metamorphic processes, providing simultaneously a robust physico-chemical framework and efficient modelling strategies to calculate mineral stability relations within the Earth’s lithosphere. However, the main issue of any equilibrium model is the tacit assumption that equilibrium was achieved at a given stage of its metamorphic history and then preserved. As most of the metamorphic minerals exhibit compositional zoning, it is obvious that equilibrium is only achieved locally and that metastable relics can be preserved throughout a metamorphic cycle. An alternative strategy to the traditional modelling tools is to use local bulk compositions for testing the assumption of equilibrium at a given stage. The routine application of this technique requires an efficient method for quantitative compositional mapping (software XMapTools), a Gibbs energy minimizer (Theriak- Domino) and a computer model coupling the two techniques (Bingo-Antidote). This two-day workshop is designed as a beginner course for XMapTools, Theriak-Domino and Bingo-Antidote. Participants will be introduced to each software solution and learn how to use it routinely. It will involve a series of lectures of tutorials from developers and experts exploring large variety of concepts (equilibrium/disequilibrium), ingredients (thermodynamics databases) and modelling tools (forward, inverse and iterative models). This course will provide an important foundation accessible to high-level undergraduate students, graduate students, and professional researchers who are using or planning to use petrological modelling in their own studies.

Modeling Silicate Planet Phase Equilibria, Melting Behavior, Aqueous Alteration, Organic Synthesis, and Habitability with the ENKI Software Portal with Applications to Exoplanets

Saturday 17th August 08:30 - Sunday 18th August 17:00
Contacts: Mark Ghiorso, Cayman Unterborn, Christy Till, Aaron Wolf, Everett Shock
Location: A1.10, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 130€

This workshop will provide a hands-on survey of software and modeling tools available at the ENKI portal. ENKI is an on-going project funded by the National Science Foundation that provides software tools and a computational ecosystem for geochemical simulations that are based on thermodynamics and fluid dynamics. ENKI is designed for students and researchers interested in using, creating, and maintaining models and in developing open-source, interconnected scientific modeling frameworks. We will introduce the capabilities of ENKI and demonstrate how thermodynamic calculations like phase diagrams, pseudosections, geothermobarometers, mass transfer calculations, metastable equilibria, and energy supplies from disequilibrium (e.g., MELTS, EQ6, DEW) can be rapidly and easily computed for both Earth and exoplanetary silicate bulk compositions and aqueous fluids. The workshop will also introduce example research related to our understanding of exoplanets that can be tackled with ENKI, providing an introduction for those in the Goldschmidt community whose research interests include exoplanet exploration. ENKI supports a number of thermodynamic databases and solution model collections, including those of Berman, Holland and Powell, Stixrude and Lithgow-Bertelloni, MELTS, DEW, CHNOSZ, and SUPCRT. Participants will learn how these databases can be extended or recalibrated for exoplanet application using the model calibration infrastructure provided by ENKI. Attendees will need a laptop for this workshop for real-time access to the ENKI server portal.

MSA Short Course: Reactive Transport in Natural and Engineered Systems

Saturday 17th August 08:30 - Sunday 18th August 17:00
Contacts: Jennifer Druhan, Christophe Tournassat
Location: A0.03, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 130€

Reactive transport principles are now employed to address a wide variety of natural and engineered systems across diverse spatial and temporal scales, in tandem with advances in computational capacity, quantitative imaging and reactive interface characterization techniques. Thus we have reached a timely moment to update and expand the 1996 RiMG volume on reactive transport with an associated workshop featuring presentations by chapter authors and opportunities for discussion and posters. This workshop will emphasize the diversity of applications which have developed in the past ~20 years, with emphasis on recent novel applications, techniques, and current requirements necessary to foster future advancement. The intent is to highlight key areas of development and provide a platform to foster discussion and provide education and networking opportunities for graduate students, early career scientists and established researchers interested in RT principles. Course participants will receive a copy of the new Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry volume.

New Trends in Laser Ablation-Based Techniques for Direct Solid Sample Chemical Analysis

Saturday 17th August 08:30 - 17:00
Contacts: Jhanis J. Gonzalez
Location: A1.01, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 80€

The workshop covers new trends on Laser Ablation-Based techniques used for the direct analysis of solid samples. The focused techniques are: Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectroscopy (LAMIS), Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (LA-ICP-OES) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS).

Reaction Gases + ICP MS = New Frontiers for Earth Sciences

Saturday 17th August 08:30 - Sunday 18th August 18:00
Contacts: Thomas Zack, Juraj Farkas, Sarah Gilbert, Johan Hogmalm, Charlotte Allen
Location: A1.06, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 50€

The interaction of various gases with ions to reduce/remove notorious interferences has been an integral part of many ICP‐MS applications for more than two decades. However, recent progress on several fronts has sparked an increased interest, with great potential for Earth Sciences. With this two‐day workshop we aim to bring together for the first time established experts, instrument manufacturers, current users and Earth Scientists interested in this topic. The first day of the program will provide a structured agenda with thematic lectures and presentations given by invited speakers with expertise in relevant areas, including: 1) Reaction gas chemistry ‐ Theoretical concepts and experimental work 2) Novel instrument design and specific analytical approaches  3) In‐situ dating/geochronology via LA and collision/reaction cell ICP‐MS/MS, with a focus on beta decay systems (Rb‐Sr, K‐Ca, Lu‐Hf, Re‐Os) 4) Isotope geochemistry of metals via solution‐based collision/reaction cell MC‐ICP MS and quadrupole‐ICP‐MS/MS (e.g., K and Ca isotopes) 5) Other applications (involving analysis of “difficult” trace elements like Se, As, PGE’s) The second day will be more informal, providing opportunities for open discussions, brainstorming, and community building. This will include discussions among individual attendees, sharing of their research interests and plans, followed by topical group discussions led by assigned panel of experts with focus on different topics of interest. It is our hope that the workshop will serve as a platform for the development of a new community of people sharing interest in these novel technologies and their application to Earth, Planetray and Environmental Sciences in general.

A novel way to explore the meso scale of geological samples: Micro-XRF - Bridging the gap between micro and macro scales - Saturday Workshop

Saturday 17th August 09:00 - 13:00
Contacts: Andrew Menzies, Roald Tagle
Location: A1.11, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 65€

Micro-XRF technology has advanced over the past decade and now it is possible to analyse large geological samples routinely at small-scale resolution. This workshop will provide case study examples from a range of geological settings, ranging from the Earth's mantle to the surface and encompassing economic as well as academic research. In addition, a core focus will be how to maximise the micro-XRF analytical parameters for the various sample types, as well as provide hands on training. Furthermore, advantages and limitations of such analysis will be discussed. The course is 1 day in duration and will be presented on Saturday and repeated on Sunday.

Geochemical Modelling Workshop: Using PHREEQC for laboratory and industrial applications

Saturday 17th August 09:00 - Sunday 18th August 17:00
Contacts: Julien Declercq, Michael Herrell
Location: A1.05, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 300€

Closed for booking, please email the helpdesk if you have any questions. This two-day workshop will provide an introduction to geochemical modelling and the USGS geochemical / thermodynamic modelling code PHREEQC (PH, REdox, EQuilibrium, Code). PHREEQC is a free, well-supported software code and one of the most, if not the most, widely used code amongst academia and industry for thermodynamic modelling applications. During the two-day workshop, we will present the different geochemical modelling steps, from the definition of a conceptual model to the geochemical calculations within PHREEQC. We will also present exercises drawn from the presenters’ experiences, both in a laboratory setting and applied industrial setting. The workshop will take place in four sessions split over the two days. The first day will provide an introduction to geochemical models, the conceptualisation of the problems, and an overview of the thermodynamics that govern PHREEQC and the definitions within the databases. We will make a point of discussing the thermodynamic databases available within PHREEQC, their issues and the possible ways to overcome these. We will also provide the basic skills needed to use PHREEQC, including the definition of inputs and outputs, of solid and aqueous solutions, and of the reactions and equilibrium calculations. The second day will provide a more in-depth look at the possibilities offered by PHREEQC in terms of kinetic, transport, and sorption calculations. The aim is to develop an understanding of how to extract the equations defining the reactivity of mineralogical phases from the literature or experimental data and integrate these into PHREEQC. We will then show you how to use sorption experiments to define attenuation equations and sorption blocks in the program and provide an introduction to transport simulations. The workshop will finish with a general discussion.

HOW GOOD ARE YOUR DATA? Workshop on uncertainty and traceability assessments of isotope ratio measurements

Sunday 18th August 08:30 - 17:30
Contacts: Mark Tyra, Savelas Rabb, Greg Skrzypek, Martin Rosner, Thomas Meisel
Location: A1.13, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 65€

This workshop will address the specific challenges and possible approaches to uncertainty analysis of isotope ratio measurements. Topics will include uncertainty analysis and calculations for reporting isotopic data, proficiency test results, and interlaboratory comparisons. The morning will involve lectures and discussions with experts. We will review the basic uncertainty calculations applicable to most data types and disciplines and the role of uncertainty calculations in improving the robustness and usefulness of isotope ratio data. The afternoon session will focus on software applications for uncertainty estimation (e.g. using the NIST Uncertainty Machine available on the Web) to calculate uncertainties in a hands-on learning environment.

Raman on the Rocks – 3D Confocal Raman Microscopy in Geoscience Research

Sunday 18th August 08:30 - 17:30
Contacts: Jan Toporski
Location: A1.15, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 65€

Full details (PDF)

The method of 3D Confocal Raman Microscopy is experiencing increasing interest and relevance in geoscience applications. This is reflected in the growing number of publications that feature its results and exemplified in, showing the added analytical value the technique provides. Despite this development the method is still far from being considered a standard method for geoscience researchers. To address this discrepancy, we propose a seminar/workshop on the application of this analytical method directed toward the broader geoscience community. The method enables the characterization of mineral phases, phase variations, chemical and/or structural variations, organic materials and liquid and gas phases to name but a few. Optical 3D resolution on the sub-µm scale is achievable and spectroscopic information can be obtained at very high resolution. For the structure of the workshop we propose a combination of presentations and hands-on demonstrations over the course of a day. This would include: - An introduction to the method of 3D Confocal Raman Microscopy - An overview of technical requirements and system performance factors - Presentations by experienced researchers applying Confocal Raman Microscopy to provide examples from “real-world geoscience research” - Examples of correlative studies using confocal Raman microscopy and SEM - Hands-on instrument demonstrations - Hands-on software demonstrations We expect to attract researchers from many different disciplines within the geoscience community including mineralogy, sedimentology, volcanology, fluid/solid/gas inclusion studies, metamorphic materials, space materials, geobiology and palaeontology to name but a few. References: Book chapters Korsakov, Fries & Steele, Wille; Nehrke, Heim, etc. Visit us also at our WITec booth No. 47 at the Goldschmidt Conference 2019

The Application of Environmental Isotopes and CSIA in Contaminated Groundwater Studies

Sunday 18th August 08:30 - 17:00
Contacts: Orfan Shouakar-Stash, Albert Soler, Neus Otero, Jordi Palau Capdevila, Monica Rosell
Location: A1.10, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 65€

The aim of this course is to present the latest advancement in the applications of compound-specific isotopes analysis (CSIA) as well as environmental isotopes in characterizing and assessing contaminated sites. The potential audience includes environmental professionals, government scientists, regulators, environmental consultants, researchers, students and community stakeholders engaged in the management and remediation of contaminated sites. Course Overview: Groundwater quality studies focus on understanding where contaminants come from and the transformations that they may experience in the subsurface geochemical environments. Environmental isotopes including compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) are one of the most growing tools applied in contaminant studies. The course will include an introduction about theory and background, followed by an extended presentation of several field case studies. The course will cover the application of environmental isotopes, 13C, 2H, 18O, 15N, 34S, 87Sr/86Sr, 37Cl, 81Br, 11B and Tritium, to trace the origin of contaminants and the attenuation processes that take place in the aquifer. The topics comprise groundwater pollution from agricultural sources (nitrate), industrial activities (e.g. LNAPLs, DNAPLs) as well as urban activities. Furthermore, the course is designed to present the latest advancement in 13C-CSIA, 37Cl-CSIA, 81Br-CSIA, and 2H-CSIA and the potential applications of CSIA, in an effort to better understand contaminated sites. Isotopes have been successfully used in determining the source of contaminations, understanding the fate of contaminants in the groundwater, and evaluating the effectiveness of remediation actions including the performance assessment for a broad range of biological (natural and enhanced), chemical (e.g., in situ chemical oxidation [ISCO] and permeable reactive barriers [PRB] and physical (e.g., thermal treatment and pump and treat) remediation strategies. The course will cover a number of case studies the employed the approach of two-dimensional CSIA in contaminated sites.

Vive les Samples! Geosample data management and visualization for the discerning geochemist

Sunday 18th August 08:30 - 12:30
Contacts: Michael L. Tuite Jr, Kerstin Lehnert
Location: A1.01, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 65€

You've invested tremendous time, effort, resources, and sweat (maybe some blood) in collecting and analyzing the samples that are the foundation of your science. How can you maximize their scientific impact through data visualization? How can you ensure that they realize their full scientific potential even after you’ve wrung all you can from them? This workshop will be of interest to every geochemist who collects samples of any type - rocks, water, sediments, soils, gases - and has an interest in extending the impact of those samples. Specifically, we will:
• step through the process of registering your samples with a unique and persistent identifier that will forever link them to you and all the data and publications associated with them;
• review some best practices for keeping your samples safe and accessible for the long term;
• demonstrate easy-to-implement techniques for effectively communicating through visualization the rich information resource your samples represent;
• Identify relevant institutional repositories for your sample data;
• discuss how professional organizations and publishers are facilitating information connectivity and responsible management
• demonstrate how sample data management can serve as the basis of a great Data Management Plan.

A novel way to explore the meso scale of geological samples: Micro-XRF - Bridging the gap between micro and macro scales - Sunday Workshop

Sunday 18th August 09:00 - 13:00
Contacts: Andrew Menzies, Roald Tagle
Location: A1.11, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 65€

Micro-XRF technology has advanced over the past decade and now it is possible to analyse large geological samples routinely at small-scale resolution. This workshop will provide case study examples from a range of geological settings, ranging from the Earth's mantle to the surface and encompassing economic as well as academic research. In addition, a core focus will be how to maximise the micro-XRF analytical parameters for the various sample types, as well as provide hands on training. Furthermore, advantages and limitations of such analysis will be discussed. The course is 1 day in duration and will be presented on Saturday and repeated on Sunday.

Oral Presentation Skills for Students

Sunday 18th August 10:00 - 17:00
Contacts: Alice Williams
Location: A1.04, UPC - Campus Diagonal-Besòs View on map
Price: 30€

Giving a presentation at Goldschmidt can be a daunting prospect, particularly for those who are presenting at an international conference for the first time or whose first language is not English. In the first part of this workshop, participants will receive professional training in techniques for preparing and delivering an effective scientific presentation. The second part of the workshop will be devoted to giving students the opportunity to practise, get feedback and work on their Goldschmidt talks in small groups (4-5 students) led by post-docs and senior grad students experienced in giving oral presentations. Help and guidance will be available for students whose first language is not English. A workshop manual will be provided in advance to help students prepare their presentations before arriving in Barcelona. Priority will be given to students giving an oral presentations at Goldschmidt2019.