Vincent Busigny

Content / Work

My research work is mostly focused on the reconstruction of paleo-environments and ecosystems from ancient sedimentary rocks deposited during the Precambrian era. I use stable isotopes (C, N, Fe, O, H, S), together with chemical and mineralogical compositions, for searching ancient traces of microbial activity and deciphering environmental conditions. To address these questions, I conduct (1) studies on ancient sedimentary rocks, (2) laboratory experiments to determine reliable traces of microorganisms, and (3) studies on modern analogues of ancient environments (such as anoxic lakes or oceanic basins) in order to characterize the physico-chemical processes from water column to sediment.   In parallel, I’m also working on Earth chemical geodynamics, through quantification of the chemical and isotope exchanges between surface reservoirs (ocean, atmosphere, biosphere, crust) and Earth mantle. I tackle these questions by determining (1) interactions between seawater and oceanic crust, and (2) modifications induced by subduction zone metamorphism.