Ming-Yu Zhao, Ph.D

I study the evolution of Earth’s surface through petrographic and geochemical analyses of sedimentary rocks and modelling. Carbonates formed within seawater column record key information of ancient seawater condition. However, the link between carbonate record and seawater chemistry is not straightforward due to the complex sedimentary and diagenetic processes. By analysis elements and isotopes, I attempt to understand the linked sedimentary and diagenetic histories of primary marine carbonates. Authigneic carbonates formed within sediments pore water was invoked as a third major global carbon sink, but a clear method of distinguishing between the Earth’s two carbonates sinks is lacking. I try to solve this problem by link the geochemical compositions and formation processes of the two carbonate sinks. I’m currently working on several biogeochemical models on phosphorus cycles, cyanobacterial mats, meteoric and “mixing zone” diageneses of carbonates and diageneses of many other elements and isotopes.