Terry-Ann Suer

I study the properties of elements that can be used as tracers for processes that shaped the early Earth. My research attempts to understand how these elements behaved at the high temperatures and pressures that were present in Earth's early magma oceans.

My work on sulfur, a volatile (easily vaporized) and siderophile (iron-loving) element, has led to new constraints on the light element content of the core and insights on the delivery of volatiles such as water to the Earth. I also study the behaviors of highly siderophile elements (e.g., Pt, Pd, Re, Os, Ir, Rh) whose properties allow them to be used as tracers of the Earth's accretional history. Additionally, my work seeks to better understand the Earth's internal structure and composition.

I approach these interests mainly through high pressure - temperature experiments using the laser-heated diamond anvil cell. I use several analytic methods such as Electron Microprobe, Nano Scale Ion Mass Spectrometry and X-ray diffraction to characterize experimental samples. Additionally, I use geochemical and planet formation models to understand the measurements in the context of the Earth's formation.