The focus of my research group is to determine the origin, scale, composition and evolution of the heterogeneity in the Earth's and Moon's mantle using isotope, major, trace and volatile element geochemistry. One of the simplest ways of mapping the heterogeneity in the mantle is using the geochemistry of erupted basalts and mantle peridotites. However, to extract the deep mantle signature from basalts and mantle rocks we must first evaluate the effect that the interaction between melts and the oceanic lithosphere plays in modifying the composition of oceanic island and mid-ocean ridges basalts and massif peridotites. Recycling processes at subduction zones are considered one of the most important means of generating heterogeneity in the mantle. Thus, we have to understand the role that subduction dynamics plays on regulating the distribution of slab, mantle and crustal components between the volcanic arc and the deep mantle. Our research combines field and laboratory work for the collection and analysis of radiogenic isotope (Sr, Nd, Pb, Hf and U-series) and major, trace and volatile contents of basalts, phenochrysts and melt inclusions. Our analytical work utilizes state-of-the-art instruments such as electron and ion microprobe, thermal ionization mass spectrometer, and multi-collector inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometer, either using sample solution or in-situ laser ablation.

NSF Ocean Sciences-0335310 "Deconvolving the Galapagos Plume" Period: 4/1/03-1/31/06

NSF Earth Sciences-0403107 "The Galapagos Plume Geodynamics, A Geochemical Approach" Period: 6/1/03-5/31/06

NSF Ocean Sciences-0527152 "Sampling Basalts in the Quebrada-Discovery-Gofa Transform Fault System: Testing Models of Mantle Flow and Melt Transport" Period: 1/1/06-12/31/09. This proposal included support for Research Experience for Undergraduates, which made possible to integrate four Freshmen, from the course taught by Saal, in the research cruise and to support their Group Independent Study at Brown University.

NASA Cosmochemistry "Abundance and Distribution of Volatile Elements (CO ₂ , H ₂ O, F, S and CI) in the Lunar Picritic Glasses" PI: Saal. Period: 4/1/07-3/31/10

NASA LASER "In Search of the Primitive Volatile Content of Lunar Magmas" Period: 8/15/08-8/14/11

NSF EAR-0810191 "Collaborative Research: the Geodynamics of the Andean Southern Volcanic Zone, A Geochemical Approach" Period: 7/1/08-6/30/2011.

NASA Lunar Science Institute Cooperative Agreement Notice "The Moon as Cornerstone to the Terrestrial Planets: The Formative Years" Period 1/1/09-12/31/2012. Proposal Pending.

Van Orman, J.A. and Saal, A.E. - (2010) - Diffusion constraints on rates of melt production in the mantle, chapter in book "Time scale of magmatic processes: from core to atmosphere" accepted to be published by Wiley-Blackwell

Kurz, M.D., Rowland, S.K., Curtice, J., Saal, A.E. and Naumann, T. - (2010) - Eruption rates at Fernandina volcano, Galapagos archipelago, from cosmogenic helium. Geology, under revision after reviews.

Note: [n] = number ISI citations as of 11/08; † denotes Saal's student:

† Koleszar, A.M., Saal, A.E., Hauri, E.H., Nagle, A.N., Liang, Y. and Kurz, M.D. - (2009) - The volatile contents of the Galapagos plume; evidence for H2O and F open system behavior in melt inclusions. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 287, 3-4, 442-452.

Van Orman, J.A. and Saal, A.E. - (2009) - Crustal control on 210Pb disequilibria in basalts. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 284, 3-4, 284-291.

Saal, A.E., Hauri, E.H., Lo Cascio, M., Van Orman, J.A., Rutherford, M.J. and Cooper, R.F. - (2008) - The Volatile Content of the Lunar Volcanic Glasses: Evidence for the Presence of Water in the Moon's Interior. Nature 454, 192-195. [3]

Jackson, M.G., Hart, S.R., Saal, A.E., Shimizu, N., Kurz, M. D., Blusztajn, J. S. and Skovgaard, A.C., - (2008) - Globally elevated titanium, tantalum, and niobium (TITAN) in ocean island basalts with high 3He/4He. Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems, 9 (4) doi:10.1029/2007GC001876. [1]

Kurz, M.D., Rowland, S.K., Curtice, J., Saal, A.E. and Naumann, T. - (2008) - Eruption rates at Fernandina volcano, Galapagos archipelago, from cosmogenic helium. Geology, revision after reviews.

Pickle, R.C., Forsyth, D.W., Harmon, N., Nagle, A.N. and Saal, A.E. - (2008) - Thermo-mechanical control of axial topography of intra-transform spreading centers. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, submitted.

Cagnioncle, A.M. Kelemen, P. K., Parmentier, E.M. and Saal, A.E. - (2008) - The Aleutians: a case study for fluid migration and melt production models. Geology, submitted.

† Koleszar, A.M., Saal, A.E., Hauri, E.H., Nagle, A.N., Liang, Y. and Kurz, M.D. - (2008) - Melt inclusions, the volatiles contents of the Galapagos plume, and evidence of boundary layer reaction and open system behavior. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, submitted.

Saal, A.E., Kurz, M.D., Hart, S.R., Busztajn, J., Blichert-Toft, J., Liang, Y. and Geist, D. - (2007) - The role of lithospheric gabbros on the composition of Galapagos Lavas. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 257, 391-406. [2]

Bourdon, B., Ribe, N.M., Stracke, A., Saal, A.E. and Turner, S.P. - (2007) - Reply to "Evidence for mantle plumes? by D.L. Anderson and J.H. Natland. Brief communication arising from Bourdon et al. Nature 444, 713-717". Nature 450, 11-22-07. [1]

Van Orman, J.A., Saal, A.E., Bourdon, B. and Hauri, E.H. - (2006) - Diffusive fractionation of U-series nuclides during mantle melting and shallow level melt-cumulate interaction. Geochimica et Cosmoquimica Acta 70, 4797-4812. [4]

Bourdon, B., Ribe, N.M., Stracke, A., Saal, A.E. and Turner, S.P. - (2006) - Insights into the dynamics of mantle plumes from U-series geochemistry. Nature 444, 713-717. [9]

Saal, A.E., Hart, S.R., Shimizu, N., Hauri, E.H., Layne, G.D. and Eiler, J.M. - (2005) - Pb isotopic variability in melt inclusions from the EMI-EMII-HIMU end members and the role of the oceanic lithopshere. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 240, 605-620. [9]

Saal, A.E. and Van Orman, J.A. - (2004) - The 226Ra enrichment in oceanic basalts: evidence for melt-cumulate diffusive interaction processes within the oceanic lithosphere. Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems vol 5 (2) 2003GC000620. [9]

Saal, A.E., Hauri, E.H., Langmuir, C.H. and Perfit, M.R. - (2004)- Reply to "The role of fO(sub>2(/sub> in fluid saturation of oceanic basalt by B. Scaillet and M. Pichavant. Brief communication arising from A.E. Saal et al. Nature vol. 419, 451-455". Nature 430, 7-29-04. [1]

Saal, A.E., Hauri, E.H., Langmuir, C.H. and Perfit, M.R. - (2002) - Vapor undersaturation in primitive mid-ocean ridge basalt and the volatile content of the Earth's Upper Mantle. Nature 419, 451-455. [83]

Saal, A.E., Takazawa, E., Frey, F.A., Shimizu, N. and Hart, S.R. - (2001) - Re-Os isotopes in the Horoman peridotite: Evidence for refertilization? Journal of Petrology 42, (1), 25-37. [23]

Hart, S.R., Staudigel, H., Koppers, A.A.P., Blusztajn, J., Baker, E.T., Workman, R., Jackson, M., Hauri, E. , Kurz, M., Sims, K., Fornari, D., Saal, A.E. and Lyons, S. - (2000) - Vailulu'u Undersea Volcano: The New Samoa, Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems GC000108, 1-13. [7]

Takazawa, E., Frey, F.A., Shimizu, N., Saal, A.E. and Obata, M. - (1999) - Polybaric petrogenesis of mafic layers in the Horoman peridotite complex, Japan. Journal of Petrology, 40, (12), 1827-1851. [26]

Saal, A.E., Rudnick, R.L., Ravizza, G.E. and Hart, S.R. - (1998) - Re-Os isotope evidence for the composition, formation and age of the lower continental crust. Nature 393, 58-61. [48]

Saal, A.E., Hart, S.R., Shimizu, N., Hauri, E.H. and Layne, G.D. - (1998) - Pb isotopic variability in melt inclusions from oceanic island basalts, Polynesia. Science 282, 1481-1484. [70]

Saal, A.E., Toselli, A. y Rossi de Toselli, J. - (1996) - Granitoides y rocas basicas de la Sierra de Paganzo. In "Geologia del Sistema de Famatina", Aceñolaza G.; Miller H. and Toselli A. (Eds). Münchner Geologische Hefte A19, 199-210.

Martino, R.D., Escayola, M. y Saal, A.E. - (1994) - Estructura del cuerpo de Kinzigita del Río Santa Rosa, Departamento Calamuchita. Provincia de Córdoba. Revista de la Asociación Geológica Argentina. 49, (1-2), 3-10.

Bermudez, A., Delpino, D., Frey, F.A. y Saal, A.E. - (1993) - Los basaltos de retroarco extraandino. Relatorio del XII Congreso Geologico Argentino I, (13), 161-172.

Saal, A.E. - (1988) - Los granitoides de la Sierra de Paganzo, La Rioja, Argentina. V Congreso Geologico Chileno III, I, 1 - 15.

Ph.D. Summa cum Laude. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, 1993

"Ruth and Paul Fye Best Paper Award". Best student paper for the period 1996-2000 from the Department of Geology and Geophysics, WHOI, 2003

American Geophysical Union
Geochemical Society

GEOL 0160: First Year Seminar: Volcanoes, Windows Into the Deep Earth
GEOL 0230: Geochemistry: Earth, Planetary Materials & their Processes
GEOL 1420: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
GEOL 2730: Isotope Geochemistry
GEOL 2740: Advanced Topics in Geochemistry
GEOL 2910: The Role of Volatile in Magmatic Processes
GEOL 2920: Evolution of the Moon

ADVISING:
Current Graduate Students:

Benjamin Parks
Mary Peterson
Kei Shimizu
Diane Wetzel

Former Graduate Students:
Alison Koleszar, ScM '08
Corinne Myers, ScM '08
Ashley Nagle, ScM '08