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A groundbreaking study by the Central University of Punjab (CU Punjab), in collaboration with the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), has unveiled new insights into Earth’s mantle. By recovering a 1,268-meter-long section of mantle rock, scientists have provided an unprecedented view into mantle melt flow, serpentinization, and hydrothermal systems. This discovery is expected to reshape our understanding of Earth’s geological processes and the potential for life in extreme environments.
Published in the August 2024 issue of ‘Science’, the study titled ‘A Long Section of Serpentinized Depleted Mantle Peridotite’, led by Professor Johan Lissenberg from Cardiff University with Dr Vamdev Pathak from CU Punjab as one of the contributing members, offers critical findings on how the Earth’s mantle melts and evolves. Dr Pathak, from CU Punjab’s Geology Department, was the sole Indian scientist on the expedition.
The research highlights that serpentinization — a process where mantle rocks are chemically altered by water — plays a key role in producing hydrogen and organic molecules, crucial ingredients for life. This suggests that deep marine environments may harbour conditions favourable for the origins of life, providing new perspectives on life’s potential in extreme environments.
The study also revealed a more extensive history of melting in Earth’s mantle than previously understood. Key to this discovery was the low concentration of pyroxene in the recovered peridotite, an upper mantle rock, indicating intense melting and chemical interactions.
This finding sheds light on the processes that drive the formation of Earth’s crust, offering new data on the planet’s geodynamic systems. Furthermore, oxidative weathering was found to be confined to the upper 200 meters, while serpentinization occurred throughout the entire mantle section.
The study is not only significant for understanding Earth’s geological evolution but also for its implications for global chemical cycles and deep-sea ecosystems. The interaction between mantle rocks and water could influence hydrogen production, a critical factor for life. These insights could lead to further studies on the limits of life in extreme conditions and help explain how life on Earth may have originated.
The drilling, conducted at the Atlantis Massif near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, set a new record for deep-sea drilling, surpassing previous depths by over 1,000 meters. Dr Pathak expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Earth Sciences (India) and the IODP for enabling his participation in this pioneering project.
The expedition, part of IODP’s Expedition 399, took place aboard the research vessel JOIDES Resolution between April and June 2023. This international collaboration combined the expertise of geologists, engineers, and marine technicians from several countries. The team’s work surpassed earlier achievements by recovering the longest-ever section of mantle rock, offering scientists an unparalleled opportunity to study the processes that shape our planet.
CU Punjab Vice-Chancellor Prof Raghavendra P Tiwari lauded Dr Pathak and the IODP team for their achievement. He noted that the findings have significant implications for our understanding of mantle processes, crust formation, and elemental cycles. The research also opens new avenues for exploring hydrothermal systems and potential for life in Earth’s most extreme environments.
