The Geochemistry Division is involved in various research programs
related to the Earth's crust and interior. The R & D activities of our group are focused to better
understand the geodynamic evolution of the Earth's crust, potentiality and the genesis of ore
deposits across the country. Our approach towards addressing these complex scientific problems
involves multi-disciplinary studies that include field geology, structural analysis, petrography,
bulk rock geochemistry, mineral geochronology (U-Pb zircon, and Pb-Pb baddeleyite), and radiogenic
isotopes. The group contributed immensely in the past four decades towards understanding the
evolution of Archean continental crust from different cratonic blocks of India, the origin of Early
life, gold and iron mineralization, and Archean depositional environments. The group also actively
participated in assessing the environmental impact and health hazards of contaminants in various
parts of India. The Geochemistry Division has state-of-the-art analytical facilities and has
long-standing effective collaborations with reputed national and international research groups.
Four sophisticated major instruments are available in the group, along
with other lab facilities: (i) High-Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer
(HR-ICP-MS) with Laser Ablation System, (ii) Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS), (iii)
Wavelength Dispersive - X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (WD-XRF), and (iv) Scanning Electron
Microscope with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS). In collaboration with industry, the group
had conducted successful mineral exploration programs for Pb-Zn (in Rajasthan, in collaboration with
HZL) and for gold (in Karnataka, with Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited and Mineral Sales Pvt.
Limited), gold in Madagascar (with National Mineral Development Corporation Limited). We serve the
geoscience community of the country by providing high quality analytical data. We offer periodic
training on analytical instrumentation to young researchers across the country and contributing
towards the skill development initiative. Over the years, large no. of research articles have been
published by our group members in reputed national and international journals.
Ongoing projects:
Metallogenic Processes in Selective Precambrian Terranes of the Indian Shield: Magmatic, sedimentary,
metamorphic, and structural controls (FBR-050-406)
Proterozoic mantle evolution: Dharwar and Bastar connection (GAP-893-28-DSS)
Are Konkan Lavas Deccan Traps? (CSIR-FIRST TCK)
Revisiting the Himachal Himalaya to test different tectonic models and their implications to
Himalayan geodynamics (GAP-864-28-AKO)
Evaluation of mineral potential, geochemistry and paleo-depositional regime of clastic sediments from
the Dharwar Craton, India (GAP-882-28-CSS)
Chronostratigraphic and Provenance analysis from the sub-surface samples of Exploratory borewells of
Oil India Limited (SSP-886-28-MRM)