Q&A: Robert Hazen on studying 'deep carbon'

National Science Foundation ^ | Robert Hazen

[JimSEA]

Robert Hazen's field -- mineralogy -- might seem like the most appropriate scientific specialty for studying what's happening below Earth's surface. But, he says, that job requires partnering with scientists from as many different disciplines as possible.

Over more than two decades, NSF supported Hazen's research to address fundamental questions about what happens to minerals in hot, high-pressure environments as found in the deep interiors of Earth and other planets, and how minerals interact with the molecules of living beings. Now, Hazen is working in an area where NSF has also made significant investments: the study of "deep carbon," or stores of carbon located deep below the surface that play a substantial role in the planet's carbon cycle.

"We're looking at the coevolution of the geosphere and the biosphere using data-driven discovery," sA: Earth's biosphere and geosphere have co-evolved. You cannot understand life on this planet without understanding the geological context, just as you can't understand geology without understanding the biological context. I'm a mineralogist. There are over 5,000 different kinds of minerals, and two-thirds of those arose through biological processes. That's astonishing. That's a consequence of the living world.

"This is an aspect of science that's just emerging, using large data resources to make profound discoveries about this planet

A: Think about carbon. It's an important element -- one that is essential to life. Carbon is important in terms of energy resources. Many new materials are carbon-based compounds, and of course climate and the environment are discussed all the time. NSF has been funding research in those areas for years.

But we're interested in carbon from crust to core. Ninety percent of Earth's carbon is beneath Earth's surface, in hidden reservoirs. We're not exactly sure what those look like or how much carbon is down there, because it is stored in various forms and moves around as part of a deep carbon cycle. However, important exchanges between carbon on the surface and the deep interior happen through a process called subduction, driven by plate tectonics, and through volcanism and other processes. We really have to understand those aspects of the carbon cycle.

[JimSEA]

"A: Earth's biosphere and geosphere have co-evolved. You cannot understand life on this planet without understanding the geological context, just as you can't understand geology without understanding the biological context. I'm a mineralogist. There are over 5,000 different kinds of minerals, and two-thirds of those arose through biological processes. That's astonishing. That's a consequence of the living world."

Hazen and his group have made some verified discoveries and observations using integrated studies, emphasizing the interactions of geology, mineralogy and biology.

[higgmeister]

Bucky-balls

[I want the USA back]

Hey, uh, you guys! For years it was carbon dioxide. Eh? Not the same as carbon. Most elements, when they combine with another element, becomes unrecognizable.
So what’s the problem now with carbon?

[JimSEA]

The carbon cycle is essential to and a product of life. Understanding all aspects of the cycle is an interdisciplinary effort and contributes to our understanding life and its relationship to all aspects of the earth.

[onedoug]

Hazen’s book “gen·e·sis” sits on the bookshelf over my computer. He seems a very serious scientist, and I’ve been cognizant of his work for some time.

I’m relieved, at this point, that he doesn’t seem to be one of those “crude oil comes from other than sediments” guys as well. Or at least hasn’t opined on it AFAIK.

[higgmeister]

C₆₀

Fascinating Carbon discovered in a natural state.