Sean J. Loyd
Associate Professor
Department of Geological Sciences
California State University, Fullerton
Loyd Lab Research Overview
Our research primarily focuses on the geochemistry of carbonate minerals with particular emphasis on microbial mediation. To explore carbonate mineral precipitation (authigenesis) we utilize a broad spectrum of analyses including sulfur phase (carbonate-associated sulfate and pyrite) and sulfur isotope compositions, trace metal contents, carbon, oxygen and clumped isotope compositions. Specific projects that I work on or have worked on include:
Paragenetic evolution and precipitation mechanisms of salt dome cap rocks
Constraining formation temperatures of cold seep carbonates and concretions through clumped isotope analyses
Identification of microbial processes that mediate mineralization of carbonate concretions and their modern analogs in marine sediments
Evaluation of the chemistry of the Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic oceans
Drivers of hot spring and alkaline lake carbonate mineral formation
Students! Interested in carbonate geochemistry? Feel free to contact me regarding research and masters degree opportunities.