Mr Brandon Mahan ~ Lecturer, Geochemistry
College of Science & Engineering
- About
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- Teaching
- Interests
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- Research
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- trace element partitioning isotope geochemistry isotope metallomics cosmochemistry planetary formation ore exploration technique development
- Research Disciplines
- Socio-Economic Objectives
I began my career at Indiana State University (Indiana, USA), focusing on macro-structural geology, where I also conducted biogeochemical research on the eolian (wind-blown) iron and phosphorus flux record of the Southern Ocean over roughly the past twenty million years. From there, I carried on at Washington University in St. Louis (Missouri, USA), where I continued working in structural geology, and added an experimental component to this by conducting rock deformation experiments, characterizing their seismic properties and relating this back to seismic signatures in subduction zones. From there, I moved to l'Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, where the majority of my research combined experimental petrology (metal-silicate differentiation), planetary and cosmo-chemistry, examined through the lens of trace element and isotope geochemistry. Here, I focused mainly on volatile elements—those easily vaporized, like Zn and Cu—and their isotopes.
At this time, I also began working in the emerging field of Isotope Metallomics - the application of element and isotope geochemistry techniques to medical research, which aims to use such tactics to identify metabolic pathways and potential diagnostics for diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer and Alzheimer’s. Just prior to arriving at JCU, I conducted similar research at Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia), where I began actively pursuing the research and development of rapid and/or automated trace element and stable isotope geochemistry protocols and workflows.
As part of the Earth and Environmental Science (EES) research team at JCU, I apply all these skills and experiences towards building and cultivating such research initiatives within the University, while also expanding along new horizons, such as developing the use of stable metal isotopes as source/process tracers in ore exploration as a part of the Economic Geology Research Unit (EGRU).
My ethos is to develop a high impact and immensely multi-disciplinary research portfolio along with students, postdoctoral researchers, colleagues and collaborators.
--> I am currently growing my research group and looking for Honours, Master's and PhD candidates. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. <---
- Publications
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These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.
- Journal Articles
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- Amsellem E, Moynier F, Mahan B and Beck P (2020) Timing of thermal metamorphism in CM chondrites: implications for Ryugu and Bennu future sample return. Icarus, 339, Article: 113593, DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2019.113593.
- Mahan B, Chung R, Pountney D, Moynier F and Turner S (2020) Isotope metallomics approaches for medical research. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 77, pp. 3293-3309, DOI:10.1007/s00018-020-03484-0.
- Mahan B, Wu F, Dosseto A, Chung R, Schaefer B and Turner S (2020) SpinChem™: rapid element purification from biological and geological matrices via centrifugation for MC-ICP-MS isotope analyses – a case study with Zn. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 35, pp. 863-872, DOI:10.1039/C9JA00361D.
- Charnoz S, Pignatale F, Hyodo R, Mahan B, Chaussidon M, Siebert J and Moynier F (2019) Planetesimal formation in an evolving protoplanetary disk with a dead zone. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 627, Article: A50, DOI:10.1051/0004-6361/201833216.
- Mahan B, Moynier F, Jørgensen A, Habekost M and Siebert J (2018) Examining the homeostatic distribution of metals and Zn isotopes in Göttingen minipigs. Metallomics, 10, pp. 1264-1281, DOI:10.1039/C8MT00179K.
- Mahan B, Siebert J, Blanchard I, Badro J, Kubik E, Sossi P and Moynier F (2018) Investigating earth’s formation history through copper and sulfur metal-silicate partitioning during core-mantle differentiation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 123 (10), pp. 8349-8363, DOI:10.1029/2018JB015991.
- Mahan B, Moynier F, Siebert J, Gueguen B, Agranier A, Pringle E, Bollard J, Connelly J and Bizzarro M (2018) Volatile element evolution of chondrules through time. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 115 (34), pp. 8547-8552, DOI:10.1073/pnas.1807263115.
- Mahan B, Siebert J, Blanchard I, Borensztajn S, Badro J and Moynier F (2018) Constraining compositional proxies for Earth’s accretion and core formation through high pressure and high temperature Zn and S metal-silicate partitioning. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 235, pp. 21-40, DOI:10.1016/j.gca.2018.04.032.
- Mahan B, Moynier F, Beck P, Pringle E and Siebert J (2018) A history of violence: insights into post-accretionary heating in carbonaceous chondrites from volatile element abundances, Zn isotopes and water contents. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 220, pp. 19-35, DOI:10.1016/j.gca.2017.09.027.
- Siebert J, Sossi P, Blanchard I, Mahan B, Badro J and Moynier F (2018) Chondritic Mn/Na ratio and limited post-nebular volatile loss of the Earth. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 485, pp. 130-139, DOI:10.1016/j.epsl.2017.12.042.
- Mahan B, Siebert J, Pringle E and Moynier F (2017) Elemental partitioning and isotopic fractionation of Zn between metal and silicate and geochemical estimation of the S content of the Earth’s core. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 196, pp. 252-270, DOI:10.1016/j.gca.2016.09.013.
- Other research outputs
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- Mahan B, Siebert J, Badro J, Borensztajn S and Moynier F (2019) Reply to comment by Jennings et al. on “Investigating earth's formation history through copper and sulfur metal‐silicate partitioning during core‐mantle differentiation”. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 124 (12), pp. 12845-12853, DOI:10.1029/2019JB017599.
- Current Funding
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Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.
Department of the Environment and Energy - Strategic Resources Exploration Program
Waters of Jericho: Characterizing the Cu isotope compostition of water overlying IOCG-style deposaits in the Mt Isa block (Jericho and Eloise deposits)
- Indicative Funding
- $41,000 over 1 year
- Summary
- This project is a pilot study that aims to characterize the Cu isotope compositions of borehole waters in 10 km radius around the Jericho and Eloise IOCG type ore deposits. Cu isotopes can act as an ore vectoiring. However, few studies have focused exclusively on natural water samples as a ameans to vector under cover. Novel, efficient techniques are needed as the demand for Cu increases with population and our transition to green energies. A second aim of the project is to stream line the purification of Cu (needed for analysis) to make this more time and cost efficient, and thus more accessible to industry partners.
- Investigators
- Brandon Mahan in collaboration with Helen Degeling and Ryan Mathur (College of Science & Engineering, Geological Survey of Queensland and Juniata College)
- Keywords
- Ore Vectoring; Stable Isotope Geochemistry; Trace Element Geochemistry
- Supervision
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Advisory Accreditation:
These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.
- Current
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- Revealing the Enigmatic Alkaline Volcanism of the Rukwa Rift through Weather Resistant Minerals and their Inclusions (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Collaboration
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The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.- 5+ collaborations
- 4 collaborations
- 3 collaborations
- 2 collaborations
- 1 collaboration
- Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)
Connect with me
- Phone
- Location
- Advisory Accreditation
- Secondary Advisor (P)
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