Dr. Graham Layne

Position

Professor

Contact Information

Office: CSF 1233 (Core Science Facility) 
Phone: 709-864-3766
Fax: 709-864-7437
Email: gdlayne@mun.ca

Education

B.Sc. (Toronto), 1981
Ph.D. (Toronto), 1988

About

Graham Layne holds undergraduate and advanced degrees in Geology from the University of Toronto (B.Sc. 1981, Ph.D. 1988). His doctoral research was in the field of Mineral Deposits Geochemistry, studying the role of high temperature fluids in the deposition of metallic ores. He came to Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1988 as an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow, where he began his involvement with Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) as a tool for research in the fields of mineral deposits and volcanology. He subsequently moved to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as a Postdoctoral Investigator, when the MIT facility relocated there in 1991.

From 1992 to 1995 he was the principal in an NSF National Facility for SIMS located in Albuquerque, New Mexico – a joint venture of the University of New Mexico and Sandia National Laboratories. In December 1995, he returned to WHOI to undertake the development of a larger multi-user facility based around an advanced Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer – the IMS 1270. This instrument is now operated at WHOI as part of the Northeast National Ion Microprobe Facility (NENIMF), an NSF-sponsored National Facility for SIMS microanalysis in the Earth Sciences.

Dr. Layne is an internationally recognized authority in the use of SIMS for the quantitative elemental and isotopic analysis of natural materials. His research interests include lunar and planetary materials, geochemistry of magmatic and volcanic volatiles, isotope geochemistry of hydrothermal ore deposits, marine biomineralization, and the stable isotope signatures of early life. He remains actively involved in the development and optimization of advanced instrumentation for microanalytical mass spectrometry.

Dr. Layne joined Memorial University as an Associate Professor (Analytical Geochemistry) in March 2006. He is a faculty member of the Earth Sciences Department and the principal scientist for the the new SIMS laboratory to be developed within the MicroAnalysis Facility at the INCO Innovation Centre.

Research Interests

Microanalytical Geochemistry & Applied Mineralogy

Geochemical investigations involving the application of Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) and allied microanalytical techniques to the quantitative elemental and isotopic analysis of natural and synthetic materials. Current emphases:

  • Geochemistry of Magmatic and Volcanic Volatiles
  • Application of Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry to the Light Stable Isotope Analysis of Natural Materials
  • Applications of Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry in Biogeochemistry (especially Marine Biomineralization)
  • Automated Procedures for Location and Characterization of Precious Metal Grains using Scanning Electron Microscopy-Mineral Liberation Analysis (SEM-MLA)
  • Development of Advanced Mass Spectrometric Instrumentation for the Microbeam Determination of Isotope Ratios
  • Application of Raman Spectroscopy to the Study of Hydrothermal Alteration

Ore Deposits Geochemistry

Integrated field and laboratory studies of hydrothermal and magmatic ore deposits. Research emphasizes the geological context, ore forming processes, sequence and timing of mineral deposition. Current emphases:

  • Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
  • Metallogeny of the Avalonian Terrane in Atlantic Canada
  • Epigenetic Precious Metals Deposits and associated Plutonism-Volcanism in the Neoproterozoic of Eastern North America
  • Orogenic Gold Deposits in the Dunnage Zone of Central Newfoundland

Graduate Opportunities

Recent Publications

  • Brueckner, S.M., Piercey, S.J., Pilote, J.-L., Layne, G.D. and Sylvester, P.J., 2015, Mineralogy and mineral chemistry of the metamorphosed and precious metal-bearing Ming deposit, Canada, Ore Geology Reviews, 76, 914-939; doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2015.09.016.
  • Bulle, F. & Layne, G.D., 2015, Multi-trace element variations in olivine as geochemical signatures of Ni-Cu sulfide mineralization in evolved magma systems – Examples from Voisey’s Bay and Pants Lake Intrusions, Labrador, Canada, Mineralium Deposita, May 2015; dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00126-015-0591-2.
  • Bulle, F. & Layne, G.D., 2015, Trace element variations in olivine from the Eastern Deeps intrusion at Voisey’s Bay, Labrador, as a monitor of assimilation and sulfide saturation processes, Economic Geology, 110 (3), 713-731; dx.doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.110.3.713.
  • Cloutier, J., Piercey, S.J., Layne, G.D., Heslop, J., Hussey, A., and Piercey, G., 2015, Styles, textural evolution and sulfur isotope systematics of Cu-rich sulfides from the Cambrian Whalesback Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide deposit, central Newfoundland, Canada, Economic Geology, 110(10), 1215-1234.
  • de Moura Neves, B., Edinger, E., Layne, G.D. and Wareham, V.E., 2015, Decadal longevity and slow growth rates in the deep-water sea pen Halipteris finmarchica (Sars, 1851) (Octocorallia: Pennatulacea): implications for vulnerability and recovery from anthropogenic disturbance, Hydrobiologia, October 2015, 759(1), 147-170; doi 10.1007/s10750-015-2229-x.
  • Gill, S.B., Piercey, S.J., Layton-Matthews, D., Layne, G.D. and Piercey, G., 2015, Mineralogical, sulphur, and lead isotopic study of the Lemarchant Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag-Au-VMS deposit: Implications for precious-metal enrichment processes in the VMS environment in Peter, J.M. and Mercier-Langevin, P. (eds.), 2015. Targeted Geoscience Initiative 4: Contributions to the Understanding of Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Deposit Genesis and Exploration Methods Development; Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 7853, 214 p.; doi: 10.4095/296540.
  • Harazim, D., McIlroy, D., Edwards, N.P., Wogelius, R.A., Manning, P.L., Poduska, K.M., Layne, G.D., Sokaras, D., Alonso-Mori, R. & Bergmann, U., 2015, Bioturbating Animals Control the Mobility of Redox-sensitive Trace Elements in Organic-Rich Mudstone, Geology, November 2015, 43, 1007-1010; doi:10.1130/G37025.1.
  • Mathieu, J., Kontak, D.J., Turner, E.C., Fayek, M. and Layne, G.D., 2015, Geochemistry of Phanerozoic diagenesis on Victoria Island, NWT, Canada, Chemical Geology, 415, 47-69; doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.08.016.
  • Aranha, R.S., Edinger, E.N., Layne, G.D. & Piercey, G., 2014, Growth rate variation and potential paleoclimate proxies in Primnoa pacifica: insights from high-resolution trace element microanalysis, Deep Sea Research II, 99, 213-226; dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2013.07.001.
  • Bulle, F. & Layne, G.D., 2014, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry for the quantification of multiple trace elements in forsterite - fayalite, Int. J. Mass Spectrometry, 361, 41-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijms.2014.01.026.
  • Brueckner, S.B., Piercey, S.J., Layne, G.D., Piercey, G. and Sylvester, P.J., 2014, Variations of sulphur isotope signatures in sulphides from the metamorphosed Ming Cu (-Au) volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, Newfoundland Appalachians, Canada, Mineralium Deposita, November 2014. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00126-014-0567-7
  • Sims, K.W., Pichat, S., Reagan, M., Kyle, P., Dulaiova, H., Dunbar, N., Prytulak, P., Sawyer, G., Layne, G.D., Blichert-Toft, J., Gauthier, G., Charrette, M. & Elliott, T., 2013, On the time scales of magma genesis, melt evolution, crystal growth rates and magma degassing in the Erebus volcano magmatic system using the 238U, 235U and 232Th decay series, J. Petrology, 54(2): 235-271.
  • Layne, G.D., John, T., Whitehouse, M., Austrheim, H. & Kusebauch, C., 2011, Halogen concentrations and δ37Cl in apatite as a fluid probe to decipher fluid-rock interaction, Goldschmidt 2011, Mineralogical Magazine, 75 (3), 1277
  • Roszjar, J., John, T., Whitehouse, M., Layne, G.D. & Bischoff, A., 2011, Halogen composition of the early Solar System inferred from meteoritic apatites, Goldschmidt 2011, Mineralogical Magazine, 75 (3), 1759
  • John, T., Layne, G.D., Haase, K.M. and Barnes, J.D., 2010, Chlorine isotope evidence for crustal recycling into the Earth's mantle, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 298, (1-2), 175-182, doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2010.07.039.
  • Layne, G.D., 2009, Li, B and Cl isotope determination by SIMS, in Fayek, M. ed, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry in the Earth Sciences: Gleaning the big picture from a small spot, Min. Assoc. Can. Short Course 41, 89-108.
  • Layne, G.D., Kent, A.J.R. and Bach, W., 2009, Chlorine isotope systematics of a back-arc spreading system: The Lau Basin, Geology, 37(5), 427–430; doi:10.1130/G25520A.
  • Sims, K.W.W., Hart, S.R., Reagan, M.K., Blusztajn, J., Staudigel, H., Sohn, R.A., Layne, G.D., J., Ball, L. and Andrews, J., 2008, 238U-230Th-226Ra-210Pb-210Po, 232Th-228Ra and 235U-231Pa constraints on the ages and petrogenesis of Vailulu'u and Malumalu Lavas, Samoa, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 9(4), Q04003, doi:10.1029/2007GC001651.
  • Sims, K.W.W., Blichert-Toft, J., Kyle, P.R., Pichat, S., Gauthier, P-J., Blusztajn, J., Kelly, P., Ball, L. and Layne, G.D., 2008c, A Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb isotope perspective on the genesis and long-term evolution of alkaline magmas from Erebus volcano, Antartica, J. Volc. Geotherm. Research, 177(3), 606-618.
  • Spear, F.S., Cheney, J.T., Pyle, M., Harrison, T.M. and Layne, G.D., 2008, Monazite geochronology in central New England: evidence for a fundamental terrane boundary, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 26(3), 317–329, doi:10.1111/j.1525-1314.2007.00751.x
  • Layne, G.D., 2006, Application of secondary ion mass spectrometry to the determination of traditional and non-traditional light stable isotopes in melt inclusions, in Melt Inclusions in Plutonic Rocks (J.D. Webster, ed.), Min. Assoc. Can. Short Course 36, 27-50.
  • Bice, K., Layne, G.D. and Dahl, K., 2005, Application of secondary ion mass spectrometry to the determination of Mg/Ca in rare, delicate or altered planktonic foraminifera: Examples from the Holocene, Paleogene and Cretaceous, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 6, Q12P07, doi: 10.1029 /2005GC000974.
  • Godon, A., Webster, J.D., Layne, G.D., Jendrzejewski, N. and Pineau, F., 2004, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry for the determination of d37Cl. Part II. Intercalibration of SIMS and IRMS for aluminosilicate glasses, Chemical Geology, 207(3-4), 291-303.
  • Layne, G.D., Godon, A., Webster, J.D. and Bach, W., 2004, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry for the determination of d37Cl. Part I. Ion microprobe analysis of glasses and fluids, Chemical Geology, 207(3-4), 277-289.
  • Straub, S.M., Layne, G.D., Schmidt, A. and Langmuir, C.H., 2004, Volcanic glasses at the Izu arc volcanic front: New perspectives on fluid and sediment melt recycling in subduction zones, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 5(1), Q01007, doi:10.1029/ 2002GC000408.
  • Gonfiantini, R., Tonarini, S., Gröning, M., Adorni-Braccesi, A., Al-Ammar, A.S., Astner, M., Bächler, S., Barnes, R.M., Bassett, R.L., Cocherie, A., Deyhle, A., Dini, A., Ferrara, G., Gaillardet, J., Grimm, J., Guerrot, C., Krähenbühl, U., Layne, G.D., Lemarchand, D., Meixner, A., Northington, D.J., Pennisi, M., Reitznerová, E., Rodushkin, I., Sugiura, N., Surberg, R., Tonn, S., Wiedenbeck, M., Wunderli, S., Xiao, Y. and Zack, T., 2003, Intercomparison of boron isotope and concentration measurements, Part II: Evaluation of results, Geostandards Newsletter: J. Geostandards and Geoanalysis, 27(1), 41-57.
  • Stix, J., Layne, G.D. and Williams, S.N., 2003, Mechanisms of degassing at Nevado del Ruiz volcano, Colombia, J. Geol. Soc. London, 160, Part 4, 507-522.
  • Straub, S.M. and Layne, G.D., 2003a, Decoupling of fluids and fluid-mobile elements during shallow subduction: Evidence from halogen-rich andesite melt inclusions from the Izu arc volcanic front, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 4(7), 9003, doi:10.1029/ 2002GC000349.
  • Straub, S.M. and Layne, G.D., 2003b, The systematics of chlorine, fluorine and water in Izu arc front volcanic rocks: Implications for volatile recycling in subduction zones, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 67 (21), 4179-4203.
  • Cohen, A.L., Owens, K.E., Layne, G.D. and Shimizu, N., 2002, The effects of algal symbionts on the accuracy of Sr/Ca paleotemperatures from corals, Science, 296, 331-333.
  • Straub, S.M. and Layne, G.D., 2002, The systematics of boron isotopes in Izu arc front volcanic rocks, Earth Planet. Sci. Letters, 198(1-2), 25-39.
  • Cohen, A.L., Layne G.D., Hart, S.R. and Lobel, P.S., 2001, Kinetic control of skeletal Sr/Ca in a symbiotic coral; Implications for the paleotemperature proxy, Paleoceanography, 16(1), 20.