Perspectives from the 5th SerpentineDays Meeting
As I write this blog post, I am looking back on an exciting week full of presentations, discussions, and field trips. In mid-September 2024, the 5th SerpentineDays meeting took place in Granada, Spain. The topics covered in this three-days meeting ranged from “Serpentinization, fluids and life” to “Serpentine and society”, “Physical properties of serpentinites” to “Serpentine in subduction zones”. We want to thank all attendees once again for all the great scientific contributions and lively discussions.
For this meeting, I was also involved in the organization and this was truly a great experience, especially with such a wonderful group of co-organizers. It was the first time in 8 years that this meeting was held. Due to the Covid pandemic the last meeting had to be cancelled and for the past two years we have been running a monthly webinar series instead. These online presentations, some of which you can watch on our YouTube channel, are always well attended and very inspiring, but it was also so good (and I’m sure I’m not just speaking for myself) to finally meet the community in person again.
The EAG through their Short Course and Conference Sponsorship Program, generously sponsored three students who are working on a wide range of topics. We asked each of them to tell us about their personal meeting highlights that you can read below.
co-organiser 5th SerpentineDays meeting,
Utrecht University, Netherlands
I am deeply grateful to the European Association of Geochemistry (EAG) for awarding me the travel grant, which allowed me to participate in the 5th SerpentineDays meeting in Granada. Thanks to this support, I was able to attend and fully engage in an enriching experience that brought together experts and researchers at the forefront of serpentinization studies.
Presenting my research on fluid-microbe-mineral interactions in serpentinization environments to such a knowledgeable audience was a highlight of the event. The insightful feedback and stimulating discussions not only enhanced my understanding of hydrogen and methane cycling in extreme environments but also provided new perspectives on how these processes support chemosynthetic microbial life. The conference also offered an invaluable opportunity to network with leading figures in the field. The connections I made were instrumental in sparking fresh ideas and laying the groundwork for potential collaborations that I am excited to pursue.
This experience has significantly impacted the trajectory of my research, and I am immensely thankful to the EAG for making it possible. Their support has enabled me to participate in a highly productive and inspiring event, and I look forward to applying the knowledge and insights I gained as I continue my work.
Doctoral Researcher
University of Bremen, Germany
This event was a significant milestone in my career, as my primary research focuses on material transfer at the crust-mantle boundary within the mantle wedge at deep subduction zones. Specifically, I aim to experimentally reproduce how carbon, brought up from the Earth’s surface by plate motion, behaves in the mantle wedge. This research holds important implications for the global carbon cycle and the rheology of deep subduction zones, especially concerning phenomena such as slow slip events.
At the conference, I presented a poster showcasing the results of experiments conducted during my undergraduate and master’s studies. While I have previously presented at international conferences like EGU and Water-Rock Interaction, this occasion was particularly special, as I was able to discuss my research with experts specializing in serpentine, a unique type of rock. This allowed for more in-depth and focused discussions than at other conferences.
Visiting Granada, a place I had only read about in history books, was also a remarkable experience. After the conference, I had the chance to explore the city’s historic charm, including the area surrounding the Alhambra Palace. It was a wonderful opportunity to relax and reflect. I must admit, I envy those who get to conduct their research in such a beautiful and inspiring place.
Lastly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the European Association of Geochemistry (EAG) for their financial support, which made my participation in this conference possible.
Shunya Okino
Master Student
Tohoku University, Japan
This year, I had the chance to attend the 5th Serpentine Days meeting on Serpentinization processes, held for the first time again in eight years. It was an excellent opportunity to present and discuss my Master’s thesis research through a poster. My project focused on fluid-rock interactions along the subduction interface at eclogite-facies conditions in dehydrating serpentinites. To gain insights into fluid circulation in deep subduction zones, we studied exhumed, partially dehydrated antigorite serpentinites. Using in-situ trace element determination by LA-ICP-MS, we were able to constrain the scale of fluid circulation along dehydration-induced channels. These findings have significant implications for understanding the complex fluid pathways and chemical exchanges occurring at the deep subduction interface.
The meeting brought together researchers from various disciplines, providing a comprehensive overview of serpentinization and de-serpentinization processes. Insights from fieldwork, petrology, geochemistry, geo-microbiology, experiments, and microstructural studies highlighted the importance of serpentinites from geological, geodynamic, and biological perspectives. The small and informal nature of the conference facilitated fruitful discussions, especially during the poster sessions. The balanced mix of early career and senior scientists provided valuable feedback and insights. The conference format was well-suited, with an appropriate number of talks and ample time for poster sessions. Additionally, the opportunity to give a flash talk to promote the poster was a great idea to foster discussions.
The meeting was held in Granada, a beautiful city which we had the chance to visit, and took place in a marvellous venue overlooking the Alhambra. At the end of the conference, I took part to a two-day field trip to Cerro del Almirez in Sierra Nevada, where we explored the role of serpentinites in subduction zones and their chemical interactions with surrounding lithologies. The field trip was well-organized, featuring remarkable outcrops with stunning spinifex textures. Both the conference and the field trip provided excellent opportunities to expand my scientific network and strengthen connections with other researchers. I highly recommend Serpentine Days to all serpentine enthusiasts! I thoroughly enjoyed the meeting and would like to thank the EAG for sponsoring me.
PhD student
University of Padua, Italy
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