British Geochemist Deciphers Earth's Secrets

When British isotope geochemist Robert Mark Ellam first encountered geology in high school, he never imagined it would lead to a lifetime of unraveling Earth's deepest mysteries, or even land him a place on the examination panel for a Ph.D. thesis on Vermeer's "Girl With a Pearl Earring."

Recently, he sat down with Science and Technology Daily to discuss his scientific journey and the unexpected intersections of his career.

Academic foundations and early discoveries

Now a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a chair Professor at Tianjin University, Ellam traces the beginning of his path into geochemistry to a stroke of luck. Back in the day, his high school offered geology as a subject, which was rare for the time. "Geology was both interesting and relatively easy to understand," he recalls, contrasting it with the abstract challenges of chemistry and mathematics. With good grades in Geology and Physics, he secured a place at Imperial College, London, becoming the first in his family to attend university.

Ellam was initially drawn to the petroleum industry due to the booming oil prices and plentiful job opportunities. However, his perspective shifted dramatically during his university years. "University geology was a revelation," he shared, noting the revolutionary discoveries in the field, particularly the concept of plate tectonics. His fascination with deep Earth and volcanic rock formation in subduction zones led him away from petroleum and towards pure research.

His Ph.D. work at the Open University focused on subduction-related volcanoes in Italy, where he integrated new techniques to measure trace elements and isotopes. "My paper with Chris Hawkesworth was probably about 85 percent correct," he said, acknowledging that subsequent studies have refined his original model, which has remained largely intact for nearly 40 years.

Contributions to the sci-tech community

Throughout his illustrious career, Ellam has divided his research into two main categories: mantle geochemistry and igneous petrogenesis, alongside exploring the applications of isotopes in Earth and Environmental Science. His work on the North Atlantic large igneous province has been particularly influential. "In the early 2000s, we discovered the highest magmatic 3He/4He values from terrestrial basalts from Baffin Island and West Greenland," he explained. This discovery hinted at the existence of ancient geochemical reservoirs deep within the Earth.

Ellam has also been eager to apply isotope geochemistry beyond traditional boundaries. "I have always been enthusiastic to apply isotope geochemistry outside my intellectual 'comfort zone,'" he said, highlighting his collaborations that span diverse fields, from reconstructing ocean circulation to tracing sources of heavy metal pollution.

Bridging research and real-life applications

In terms of the real-life applications of his research, Ellam highlighted the importance of curiosity-driven science. "I want to understand the details of how the Earth works in a way that goes beyond what many might consider necessary," he said. He noted that the advancements in geochemistry have had profound implications for understanding natural hazards, climate change, and even forensic science.

One notable achievement was a paper published in 2001 in Science magazine, where Ellam co-authored a study demonstrating that El Ni？o phenomenon has been a robust component of climate for at least 120,000 years. "We were able to show that this wasn't just a modern phenomenon. It has been a key player in Earth's climate system for millennia," he pointed out.

Another significant achievement occurred during his tenure as director of research at the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, where radiocarbon scientists successfully identified the skeleton of King Richard III, discovered beneath a parking lot in Leicester. "Initial radiocarbon dating appeared inconsistent, but stable isotope analysis revealed a significant marine reservoir effect that brought the age into agreement with historical records," he said.

The role of scientists in society

As the epigraph of his Ph.D. thesis, Ellam used a quotation attributed to the Victorian biologist and anthropologist, and fellow Imperial College alumnus, T.H. Huxley — "The great tragedy of science: the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact."

His reflections on the role of scientists in society are both profound and thought-provoking. He emphasized that the ability to change one's mind in the face of new evidence is a hallmark of scientific progress. "The beauty of a life in science has been the state of always being uncertain about your most important current preoccupation," he said.

However, he also acknowledged the social expectation for scientists to provide certainty. "If 99.9999 percent of scientists consider there to be a climate crisis, we should not let our enthusiasm for uncertainty allow the dissenting voice to dominate the political agenda," he cautioned.

Ellam's commitment to international collaboration is evident throughout his career. He has co-authored publications with researchers from over 25 countries, emphasizing that science transcends nationality. "My passport tells me I am British and my work permit makes me part-Chinese for the next few years," he said, adding that being part of a global community is more important to his personal identity.

TJU contributed to this article.

Source: Science and Technology Daily