 |
Inaugural lectures
Earth, fire and water
This event took place on 23rd February 2009
Berrill Lecture Theatre, The Open University, Walton Hall Campus, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
3.00pm Tea/Coffee on Berrill Foyer
Recent trends in Earth and Life Sciences and our need to learn to live with climate change have led to a more integrated approach to Earth and environmental research. The three contributors have each made an impact in this field, either through the application of innovative instrumentation that facilitates new capabilities and furthers our understanding of ‘Earth-system’ processes, or the study of plant diversity that helps conserve some of our more fragile wildlife habitats. These contrasting contributions illustrate the role of the classical elements: earth, fire and water in determining our environment; past, present and future.
Professor Philip J. Potts
"Field analysis by portable X-ray fluorescence analysis: Turning the analytical approach on its head".
Traditional techniques for the chemical analysis of geological, archaeological and environmental samples involve the collection of samples which are returned to the laboratory for preparation (dying, crushing, homogenising) and analysis usually using an instrumental technique. However, developments in miniaturisation have led to a new generation of portable (hand-held) instrumentation capable of use in the field. This approach opens up exciting new applications and the need for an entirely new approach to the concept of sampling and analysis. One of the most effective examples of such instrumentation is portable X-ray fluorescence. In contrast to conventional techniques, the instrument is placed in contact with the sample to obtain an immediate analytical measurement, facilitating new capabilities in the analysis of geological, archaeological and environmental samples. This approach also places a number of challenges before the analyst, if the advantage of obtaining quantitative results in real time is to be achieved to support synchronous problem solving.
Professor Simon P. Kelley
"Rates and timescales of the Earth system’"
If we want to understand how the Earth system works, we have to measure the timing of many different types of geological event. When did the volcano erupt ? When did the meteorite hit ? When did the oil flow into the reservoir rock ?
This talk will show you why I’ve spent my career measuring the ages of key samples in the laboratory using the decay of tiny amounts of radioactive potassium to argon, rather than travelling the world looking at volcanoes.
17.00 Reception in Berrill Café |
|
 Click below to play the event (92 minutes) |
|
|
