Using fossil micrometeorites to examine the ancient Earth environment

This project aims to use fossil micrometeorites extracted from sedimentary rocks that accumulated over the period 3.46 to 2.22 billion years ago to conduct the first sample-constrained study of changes in the chemistry of the ancient Earth's upper atmosphere over time. This would provide insights into variations in the extent of interaction between the upper and lower atmosphere across the Great Oxidation Event, the most significant atmospheric change in Earth's history. The project also aims to use these micrometeorites to investigate how the flux, composition and sources of extraterrestrial material arriving to Earth changed over time.