Zhengrong Wang

Zhengrong Wang’s research interest is concerned with theoretical and experimental studies of stable isotope fractionation and trace element partition as means to understanding properties and evolution of different terrestrial reservoirs and dynamics of interaction among them over geological times. In particular, these include: 1) the study of traditional stable isotope (e.g., C,H, O, S, and N) and non-traditional stable isotope (e.g., Li, Mg, B and Ca) fractionations during hydrothermal alteration of oceanic crust at low and high temperatures for constraining the scales and processes of hydrothermal circulation in the oceanic crust; 2) using these isotope tracers to understand and develop paleoproxies to extract paleoclimate and paleoceanographic information, and understand the biomineralization processes; 3) the study of these isotope fractionation at elevated temperatures to constrain the petrogenesis of arc-lavas, ocean island basalts, Mid-ocean ridge basalts, and ultra-high pressure metamorphic rock to understand mantle structures and evolution; 4) developing and applying micro-analytical techniques to study these stable isotope compositions and trace element concentrations in minerals, melt inclusions and rocks, especially using ion microprobe, laser ablation fluorination and laser ablation MC-ICP-MS techniques; 5) quantum mechanicalcalculations of stable isotope fractionation between various phases and isotopologues, i.e., the prediction of equilibrium fractionation of metal isotopes in minerals, equilibrium thermodynamics and kinetics of multiply-substituted isotopologues of molecular gases and carbonates, and their applications to atmosphere physics and chemistry, and paleoceanography.