Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/L001896/1
Indium from source to sink: Mechanisms of fractionation within the crust and surface environment
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr J Andersen, University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor DM Sherman, University of Bristol, Earth Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor B G Lottermoser, University of Exeter, Engineering Computer Science and Maths
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor JD Blundy, University of Oxford, Earth Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr B Palumbo-Roe, British Geological Survey, BGS Laboratories
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor R Seltmann, The Natural History Museum, Earth Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor JJ Wilkinson, The Natural History Museum, Earth Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Earth
- Freshwater
- Marine
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- Assess/Remediate Contamination
- Earth Resources
- Properties Of Earth Materials
- Volcanic Processes
- Earth Resources
- Abstract:
- Indium is a rare, post-transition metal that is widely used in modern technological applications such as liquid crystal displays and photovoltaic solar panels. It is one of a number of so-called "e-tech" elements whose supply is considered to be insecure. Currently very little information exists on the behaviour of indium in geological and environmental systems. The lack of background data inhibits the development of an understanding of the fractionation mechanisms of the metal in geological systems and the natural environment. Little is known about the general background concentrations in different geological terranes, the conditions that lead to ore formation, the metal fluxes into the environment, the environmental sinks and reservoirs, and the bioavailability and ecotoxicity of the metal. This lack of knowledge represents a major impediment to the effective prospecting and extraction of indium. This project will identify and address the principal gaps in our knowledge of the geology, extraction and environmental dispersal of indium. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the development of robust models for the geological reservoirs of indium, to establish the principal transfer mechanisms between these reservoirs, and to enable for assessments of environmental risks, pathways and sinks.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/L001896/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Directed (RP) - NR1
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Mineral Resources
This grant award has a total value of £88,232
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Investigators | DA - Estate Costs | DI - Staff | DA - Other Directly Allocated | DI - T&S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £13,039 | £14,711 | £20,787 | £5,148 | £3,944 | £515 | £30,090 |
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