National Centre for Earth Science Studies

Biogeochemistry Group focuses on the study of physico-chemical, geological and biological processes and reactions that governs the characteristics of natural environment. The Group also studies the biogeochemical cycles of elements and their dynamics/fate with respect to the changing climate and environment together with signatures of paleoclimate proxies. We employ geochemical and microbiological modeling along with species/isotopic level studies to interpret the environmental processes and their effects on the global biogeochemical cycles. The thrust areas of research include biogeochemical studies of water environs including estuarine, coastal, springs and fresh waters in main land/island systems with emphasis on solute fluxes/dynamics and speciation, pesticide/organics fragmentation and degradation, water quality monitoring, pollution assessment and mitigation strategies.

• X-ray Fluorescence Lab
• Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA) Facility
• Isotope Geochemistry Facility
• SEM-EDS Laboratory
• Petrology Laboratory
• Thin Section, Sample Preparation & Mineral Separation Facility
• NCESS Seismological Observatory Antarctica

• Early core-mantle and silicate Earth Differentiation
• Geochronology of Southern Granulite Terrain
• Crust-Mantle structure beneath Western Ghats
• India-Antarctica connection during Archean
• Lithospheric structures across shear zones in southern India
• Evolution of Andaman Subduction Zone
• Evolution of Quaternary landscapes in Southern India

The main research goal of the Solid Earth Research Group is to comprehend the origin and evolution of the planet Earth and its various solid reservoirs such as the crust, mantle and the core. To achieve this the group focuses on deciphering the timescales and understanding the processes of geodynamic evolution of Archean cratons, Proterozoic mobile belts and Western Ghats of India. In addition, the research of the group aims at understanding the chemical evolution of the Earth’s mantle since the earliest differentiation events by studying mantle derived rocks at different tectonic setting, including active subduction zones. Other activities of the group include delineating lithospheric structures under various Indian crustal blocks and shear zones/active faults and evolution of Quaternary landscapes.

To realize their objectives the group takes help of field, geophysical, geochronological and geochemical investigations. The group is equipped with some of the state of the art geophysical instruments to carry our seismic, gravity, resistivity, and magnetic surveys. The group also houses sophisticated equipment to analyze major and trace element contents and ratio of radiogenic and stable isotopes in solid and liquid samples, apart from determining formation ages of minerals using U-Pb in situ measurement techniques.