Francesca Dimasi
Project: Iron redox state of serpentinized mantle rocks through a Wilson cycle: implications for serpentinization-sourced hydrogen systems
Within the energy transition context, serpentinization-sourced hydrogen has a great potential as a new energy source. Serpentinization-sourced hydrogen can occur at different stages throughout a Wilson cycle, from the hydration of Fe2+-bearing minerals of the mantle when they meet fluids at high temperature. The team will investigate, through ESRF measurements, the redox state of iron contained in primary and secondary mantle minerals from the Alpine Tethys and their evolution in a Wilson cycle, to develop a native hydrogen exploration strategy.
Background: I have a bachelor degree in Geology (University of Ferrara) and a master degree in Geosciences for Sustainable Development (University of Pavia). During my bachelor I studied one year in Granada (Spain) and during the master one year in Uppsala University (Sweden). I speak fluent Spanish and English. Both courses gave me the opportunity to experience field works, for example going to the Dolomite and Western Alps, but also Ronda, Cabo de Gata, Ligurian Ophiolites, Corsica. I love field trips! About my experience in the laboratory, aside of petrographic and mineralogical analysis, I’ve experienced the preparation of chemical columns for the isotopic collection (Nd, Sr and Pb) and subsequently TIMS analysis, during my master thesis focused on the investigation of mantle signature from Shikoku back-arc basin gabbros.