In this episode of GeOCHemISTea, Sam sits down with geochemist and geothermal expert Stuart Simmons to discuss the unpredictable paths that shape a career in geoscience. From early work in epithermal gold systems to pioneering research in geothermal energy, Stuart shares how professional pivots, academic curiosity, and a chance encounter at a pub in New Zealand all influenced his decades-long contribution to both industry and research. The conversation also dives into the geochemistry of geothermal systems, the evolution of isotope studies, and the promise of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Whether you're early in your career or decades in, this episode is a reminder of the importance of staying open to unexpected opportunities... and the power of combining geoscience with real-world application.For this episode we read: Formation of a Large Cold Groundwater Mantle Helium Anomaly and High Temperature Geothermal Resources in Response to Bimodal Magmatism Near Roosevelt Hot Springs and Utah FORGE, Milford Valley, Southwest Utah (Simmons and Kirby, 2024)

Join us this month on GeOCHemISTea as we sit down with Brittany Hupp, Assistant Professor at George Mason University in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences. Brittany specializes in micropaleontology, sedimentology, and low-temperature geochemistry, exploring ancient climates and ocean conditions to better understand modern environmental challenges.

In this episode, Brittany shares her unconventional path into geosciences—from a dairy farm in rural Ohio to oceanic research cruises—and offers practical advice for aspiring geochemists seeking interdisciplinary careers. She introduces listeners to the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a pivotal ancient global warming event used as a critical analog to current climate change. Brittany explains how geochemical proxies, such as stable isotopes and trace elements in microfossils (foraminifera), illuminate past temperature shifts, ocean acidification, and hydrological changes.

Tune in for captivating stories from life at sea, including the social dynamics aboard research vessels, and discover how paleoclimatology provides valuable insights into Earth's climate sensitivity and future scenarios.

Grab your tea... it's time to spill!

For this episode we read:The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum: A Perturbation of Carbon Cycle, Climate, and Biosphere with Implications for the Future (McInerney and Wing, 2011)Diagenetic Attenuation of Carbon Isotope Excursion Recorded by Planktic Foraminifers During the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (Kozdon et al., 2018)Development of a novel empirical framework for interpreting geological carbon isotope excursions, with implications for the rate of carbon injections across the PETM (Turner and Ridgwell, 2016)Individual foraminiferal analyses: a review of current and emerging geochemical techniques (Fehrenbacher et al., 2024)

This month GeOCHemISTea talks with Oscar Benavente, an environmental geochemist at SRK Consulting, about using satellite imagery to monitor mine drainage and environmental change. They dive into how Google Earth Engine, Python, and machine learning are transforming geochemical monitoring—mapping water bodies, tracking sulfide oxidation, and improving mine site remediation.

Oscar shares insights from his career spanning geothermal exploration, environmental geochemistry, and consulting. They also discuss the importance of fieldwork, communicating complex science effectively, and the surprising connections between planetary and mining geochemistry.

Tune in for a lively conversation filled with geochemistry, remote sensing, and some unexpected tangents—including volcanic adventures, music, and the tight-knit world of geochemists.

For this episode we read:

Monitoring of mine drainage related processes through satellite imagery - Dynamic Mapping of Sulfide Oxidation (Benavente, 2024)

Dynamic Mapping of Water Bodies using Google Earth Engine (Benavente, 2024)