Dr Bob Jamieson

Dr Bob Jamieson

Profile

My broad research interests are the limitations and complexities of high resolution proxies, particularly around issues of seasonality, sample heterogeneity, and interpreting proxies which integrate multiple environmental signals. I work with trace element concentrations and stable isotopes in a variety of archives, including sedimentary material, speleothems and paleontological material.

I work on samples from throughout geological time, but am particularly interested in working with modern samples which can be compared directly with environmental records.

  • Stable Isotope Geochemistry – My position at Leeds involves maintaining and running both of the Stable Isotope lab IRMS instruments. This includes analysis of a variety of materials using an Elemental Analyser coupled to a continuous flow IRMS for C, N, S, and O isotopes, as well as small quantities of carbonate materials via Dual Inlet IRMS for δ13C and δ18O.
  • Trace Element Geochemistry – One of the key foci of my PhD thesis was the application of trace element geochemistry in speleothems for paleoclimate reconstruction. I have experience with both solution and laser-ablation ICP-MS analysis, and have used these techniques to produce records of volcanic ash deposition over cave sites as well as more traditional climatological proxy reconstructions. This included developing a new proxy for qualitatively examining paleorainfall recorded in aragonitic speleothems by varying prior aragonite precipitation influencing U/Ca.
  • Organic Geochemistry and Biomarkers – My undergraduate work in the Glasgow Molecular Organic Geochemistry Laboratory (GMOL) involved working with biomarker proxies in both lake and ocean sediment archives. I have experience in performing chemical extractions, concentration measurement and compound identification (GC-FID and GC-MS).
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • PhD, Geology, Durham University
  • MSc, Geochemistry, University of Leeds
  • BSc, Earth Science, University of Glasgow

Student education

I focus almost entirely on field teaching whenever possible, as I consider field based teaching to be the area in which the Earth Sciences excels.

Currently at Leeds I teach on the 1st and 2nd year field skills and field mapping courses.

Research groups and institutes

  • Cohen Geochemistry
  • Earth Surface Science Institute
  • Palaeo@Leeds