Rhiannon Ackland

St Cross Graduate Scholarship in Environmental Research 

Joining us from: Lincoln, UK

DPhil in Environmental Research (NERC DTP) (2023)

I am doing a DPhil in the Earth Sciences department through the NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) DTP (Doctoral Training Partnership). I am interested in ore-forming processes within magmatic systems with a specific focus on processes occurring near and below solidus (melting point) temperatures. I am focussing on layers of near-pure magnetite (iron oxide) in the Bushveld complex, South Africa, which is the largest layered magmatic system in the world. The magnetite ores are economically important to the region and an important source of critical metals needed for the green energy transition. Since the magmatic intrusion is so large, it cooled slowly over >100,000 years. During this time near solidus processes may have been important for concentrating critical metals and forming the magnetite ores. My DPhil will examine evidence for the importance of reactive flow of deep-derived melts and fluid to the formation of the magnetite layers. I will test this mechanism through a combination of experimental petrology, fieldwork and thermal modelling.

I am very grateful to receive the St Cross Graduate Scholarship in Environmental Research because it allows me to study a subject I love and perform essential fieldwork in South Africa. I chose to apply to St Cross College because I wanted to be part of a diverse, friendly community of other postgraduate students.

Outside of my studies I enjoy playing korfball (a Dutch sport somewhere between basketball and netball), visiting art galleries and learning German. To unwind at the end of a long day I like to read a good book over a cup of redbush tea.