Isotope geochemistry, metamorphic petrology

• B. S. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 1965-1969
• M. S. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1969-1971
• Ph. D. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 1972-1978

My primary research interests center on fluid-rock interactions and the mechanisms and rates of reaction during metamorphism of crustal rocks.  I am also interested in applications of geothermobarometry in metamorphic systems.  More recently, in collaboration with colleagues here at Utah and other institutions, I have gotten interested in the utility of accessory phases such as zircon as monitors of the thermal and compositional evolution of crust over time, and in the mechanisms and timescales of assembly of igneous intrusions.  My approach to research is multi-disciplinary, combining field observations, petrography, chemical and stable isotope analysis (mass spectrometry, electron microprobe), thermodynamic calculations and heat/mass transport modeling.  These approaches have been amplified recently with quantitative textural analyses including measurements of crystal size distributions (CSD) and spatial dispositions, and ion microprobe (SIMS) analyses of isotopes (U, Pb, O) and trace elements (Ti, REE).

Current Research Projects

Characterization of the mechanisms, processes, and rates involving infiltration-driven metamorphism of carbonate and calc-silicate rocks in the Alta stock contact aureole, Alta, Utah.

Evaluation of the mechanisms and rates of crystal nucleation and growth during reaction of carbonate rocks in the Alta aureole.

Quantitative characterization of the isotopic (Pb, O) and trace element chemical (U, Ti, REE) behavior of zircon during granulite facies metamorphism, Kapuskasing Uplift, Ontario, Canada (in collaboration with Desmond Moser, University of Western Ontario).

Characterization of the processes and mechanisms associated with the onset of contact metamorphism: Quantitative characterization of the outer aureole (talc zone), Alta aureole.  This project involves detailed mapping of the occurrences of reactant and product mineral assemblages, calculation of reaction progress on the outcrop scale, determination of mineral and whole-rock chemistry, measurement of stable isotope compositions, and fluid inclusion microthermometry.

Evaluation of thermal constraints on the mechanisms and timescales of assembly of igneous intrusions (in collaboration with John Bartley, University of Utah). We will be using the Alta stock and aureole as natural laboratory to investigate the assembly of an igneous intrusion.  My approach will be to look for petrologic and chemical (including isotopic) signals within both the contact aureole and the intrusion to constrain the thermal evolution of the Alta stock.  Based on mine and my students’ previous studies, the Alta aureole is one of the best documented contact aureoles on Earth.  The thermal structure of this aureole in theory records heat and mass transfer from the adjacent Alta stock.  This record, if amplified with high precision age information, in turn constrains the thermal evolution of the stock, an important constraint on how, and on how long it took, for the stock to form.

Temperature-time evolution, fluid infiltration, and processes of schist-to-gneiss transformation in the low P/high T Chugach Metamorphic Complex, southern Alaska (in collaboration with Virginia Sisson and Terry Pavlis).

1.    Bowman, J.R., Valley, J.W., and Kita, N.T., 2009, Mechanisms of oxygen isotopic exchange and isotopic evolution of 18O/16O-depleted periclase zone marbles in the Alta aureole, Utah—Insights from ion microprobe analysis of calcite: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 157, p. 77-93.

2.    Müller, T., Baumgartner, L.P., Foster, T. L., and Bowman, J.R., 2009, Crystal size distribution and periclase formation in contact metamorphic dolomite marbles from the Southern Adamello massif, Italy: Journal of Petrology (in press).

3.    Moser, D.E., Bowman, J.R., Wooden, J., Valley, J.W., Masdab, F., and Kita, N., 2008, Creation of a continent recorded by zircon zoning: Geology, v. 36, p.239-242.

4.    Chan, A.A., Johnson, C.M., Beard, B.L., Bowman, J.R., and Parry, W.T., 2006, Iron isotopes constrain the pathways and formation mechanisms of terrestrial oxide concretions: A tool for tracing iron cycling on Mars? Geosphere, v. 2, no. 7, p. 324-332.

5.    Roselle, G.T., Bowman, J.R., and Forster, C.B., 2003, Development and stability of multiple groundwater flow systems near cooling plutons: Journal Geophysical Research, v. 108, NO. B1, p. 1-13.

6.    Bowman, J.R., Sisson, V.B., Valley, J.W., and Pavlis, T.L., 2003, Oxygen isotope constraints on fluid infiltration associated with high temperature--low pressure metamorphism (Chugach Metamorphic Complex) within the Eocene southern Alaska fore-arc: Geological Society of America Special paper 371, p. 237-252.

7.    Chan, M.A., Parry, W.T., and Bowman, J.R., 2000, Diagenetic hematite and manganese oxides and fault-related fluid flow in Jurassic sandstones, southeastern Utah: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, v. 84, p. 1281-1310.

8.    Cook, S. J. and Bowman, J. R., 2000, Contact metamorphism surrounding the Alta stock--Fluid-rock interaction accompanying metamorphism of siliceous dolomites: Journal of Petrology, v. 41, p. 739-757.

9.    Bowman, J. R., 1998, Phase Equilibria, In: Mineralized Intrusion-Related Skarn Systems, D. Lentz (ed), Mineralogical Association of Canada Short Course, v. 26, p. 1-50, Quebec City, Quebec, May, 1998.

10.    Bowman, J. R., 1998, Stable Isotope Systematics, In: Mineralized Intrusion-Related Skarn Systems, D. Lentz (ed), Mineralogical Association of Canada Short Course, v. 26, p. 99-146, Quebec City, Quebec, May, 1998.

11.    Cook, S. J., Bowman, J. R., and Forster, C. B., 1997, Contact metamorphism surrounding the Alta Stock: Finite element model simulation of heat- and 18O/16O mass-transport during prograde metamorphism: American Journal of Science, v. 297, p. 1-55.

12.    Barnett, D. E., and Bowman, J. R., 1996, Kinetically limited isotope exchange in a shallow level normal fault, Mineral Mountains, Utah: Jour. Geophysical Research, v. 101, p. 673-686.

13.    Barnett, D. E., and Bowman, J. R., 1995, Coupled mass transport and kinetically limited isotope exchange--Applications and exchange mechanisms: Geology, v. 23, p. 225-228.

14.    Barnett, D. E., Bowman, J. R., Pavlis, T. L., Rubenstone, J. R., Snee, L. W., Onstott, T. C., 1994, Metamorphism and near-trench plutonism during intiial accretion of the Cretaceous Alaskan forearc: Jour. Geophysical Research, v. 99, p. 24,007-24,024.

15.    Cook, S. J. and Bowman, J. R., 1994, Contact metamorphism surrounding the Alta Stock:  Thermal constraints and evidence of advective heat transport from calcite + dolomite geothermometry: Amer. Mineralogist, v. 79, p. 513-525.

16.    Jewell, P. W., Rahn, T. A., and Bowman, J. R., 1994, Hydrology and chemistry of thermal waters near Wells,  Nevada: Ground Water, v. 32, p. 657-665.

17.    Bowman, J. R., Willett, S. D., and Cook, S. J., 1994, Oxygen isotopic transport and exchange during fluid flow: One-dimnsional models and applications: Amer. J. Sci., v. 294, p. 1-55.

18.    Fleming, T. H., Elliot, D. H., Foland, K. A., Jones, L. M., and Bowman, J. R., 1993, Mid-Cretaceous disturbance of Rb-Sr and K-Ar isotopic systems in the Kirkpatrick Basalt, north Victoria Land, Antarctica: In: Gondwana 8--Assembly, evolution and dispersal, Findlay, Unrug, Banks, and Veevers (eds), p. 411-424, A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam.

19.    Turner, D. R. and Bowman, J. R., 1993, Origin and evolution of skarn fluids, Empire zinc skarns, Central Mining District, New Mexico, U. S. A.: Applied Geochemistry, v. 8, p. 9-36.

20.    Alexander, R. J., Harper, G. D., and Bowman, J. R., 1993, Oceanic faulting and fault-controlled subseafloor hydrothermal alteration in the sheeted dike complex of the Josephine Ophiolite: Jour. Geophys. Research, v. 98, p. 9731-9759.
   
21.    Wang, Y., Cerling, T.E., Quade, J., Bowman, J.R., Smith, G.A., and Lindsay, E.H., 1993, Stable isotopes of paleosols and fossil teeth as paleoecology and paleoclimate indicators: An example from the St. David Formation, Arizona: American Geophysical Union Monograph 78, p. 241-248.

22.    Fleming, T. H., Elliot, D. H., Jones, L. M., and Bowman, J. R., and Siders, M. A., 1992, Chemical and isotopic variations in an iron-rich lava flow from the Kirkpatrick Basalt, north Victoria Land, Antartica--Implications for low-temperature alteration: Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., v. 111, p. 440-457.

23.    Norman, D. K., Parry, W. T., and Bowman, J. R., 1991, Petrology and geochemistry of propylitic alteration at Southwest Tintic, Utah: Econ. Geol., v. 86, p.13-28.

24.    Bowman, J. R. and Willett, S. D., 1991, Spatial patterns of oxygen isotope exchange during one-dimensional fluid infiltration: Geophys. Res. Letters, v. 18, p. 971-974.

25.    Cosca, M. A., Essene, E. J., and Bowman, J. R., 1991, Complete chemical analyses of metamorphic hornblendes: Implications for normalizations, calculated H2O activities, and thermobarometry: Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., v. 108, p. 472-484.

26.    Cerling, T. E., Solomom, D. K., Quade, J., and Bowman, J. R., 1991, On the isotopic composition of carbon in soil carbon dioxide: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta: v. 55, p. 3403-3405.

27.    Quade, J., Cerling, T. E., Bowman, J. R., and Asif Jah, M., 1990, Palaeoecologic reconstruction of floodplain environments using palaeosols from upper Siwalik Group sediments, northern Pakistan: In Quaternary of Pakistan, (J. R. Schroder, ed.), Univ. Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska.

28.    Parry, W. T. and Bowman, J. R., 1990, Chemical and stable isotope models for Boundary Creek warm springs, Southwestern Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: Jour. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., v. 43, p. 133-157.

29.    Cerling, T. E., Bowman, J. R., and O'Neil, J. R., 1989, An isotopic study of a fluvial-lacustrine sequence--The Plio-Pleistocene Koobi Fora Sequence, East Africa: Palaeogeog. Palaeoclim. Palaeoec. , v. 63, p. 335-356.

30.    Gerstner, M. R., Bowman, J. R., and Pasteris, J. D., 1989, Skarn formation at the MacMillan Pass tungsten deposit (MacTung), Yukon and Northwest Territories. Part I.  P-T-X-V characterization of the methane-bearing, skarn-forming fluids: Canadian Mineral., v. 27, p. 545-563.

31.    Quade, J., Cerling, T. E., and Bowman, J. R., 1989, Systematic variations in the carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of pedogenic carbonate along elevation transects in the southern Great Basin, USA: Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v. 101, p. 464-475.

32.    Quade, J., Cerling, T. E., and Bowman, J. R., 1989, Development of Asian monsoon revealed by marked ecological shift during the latest Miocene in northern Pakistan: Nature, v. 342, p. 163-166.

33.    Cerling, T. E., Quade, J., Wang, Y., and Bowman, J. R., 1989, Carbon isotopes in soils and palaeosols as ecology and palaeoecology indicators: Nature, v. 341, p. 138-139.

34.    Pavlis, T. L., Monteverde, D. H., Bowman, J. R., Rubenstone, J. L., Reason, M. D., 1988, Early Cretaceous near-trench plutonism in southern Alaska: A tonalite-trondhjemite intrusive complex injected during ductile-thrusting:  Tectonics, v. 7, No. 6, p. 1179-1199.

35.    Harper, G. D., Bowman, J. R., and Kuhns, R. G., 1988, A field, chemical, and stable isotopic study of subseafloor metamorphism of the Josephine ophiolite, California-Oregon: Jour. Geophys. Res., v. 93, No. B5, p. 4625-4656.

36.    Bowman, J. R., Parry, W. T., Kropp, W. T., and Kruer, S., 1987,  Chemical and stable isotopic evolution of hydrothermal solutions at Bingham Canyon, Utah: Econ. Geol., v. 82, p. 395-428.

37.    Barton, C. E., Solomon, D. K., Bowman, J. R., Cerling, T. E., and Sayer, M. D., 1987, Chloride budgets in transient lakes: Lakes Baringo, Naivasha, and Turkana, Kenya: Limnol. Oceanogr., v. 32, p. 745-751.

38.    Bowman, J. R. and Ghent, E. D., 1986, Oxygen and hydrogen isotope study of minerals from metapelitic rocks, staurolite to sillimanite zones, Mica Creek, British Columbia: Jour. Metamorphic Geology, v. 4, p. 131-141.

39.    Cerling, T. E., Brown, F. H., and Bowman, J. R., 1985,  Low temperature alteration of volcanic glass--Hydration, Na, K, 18O, and Ar mobility:  Chemical Geology(Isotope Geoscience Section), v. 52, p. 281-293.

40.    Valley, J. W., Peacor, D. R., Bowman, J. R., Essene, E. J., and Allard, M. J., 1985, Crystal chemistry of a magnesium vesuvianite and implications for phase equilibria in the system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O-CO2:  Jour. Metamorphic Geology, v. 3, p. 137-153.

41.    Bowman, J. R., Covert, J. J., Clark, A. H., and Mathieson, G. A., 1985,  The CanTung E-zone scheelite skarn orebody, Tungsten, Northwest Territories--Oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon isotope studies:  Econ. Geol., v. 80, p.1872-1895.

42.    Brown, P. E., Bowman, J. R., and Kelly, W. C., 1985,  Petrologic and stable isotopic constraints on the source and evolution  of skarn-forming fluids at Pine Creek, California: Econ. Geol., v. 80, p. 72-95.

43.    Bowman, J. R., O'Neil, J. R., and Essene, E. J., 1985, Contact skarn formation at Elkhorn, Montana--II. Origin and evolution of C-O-H skarn fluids:  Amer. Jour. Sci., v. 285, p. 621-660.

44.    Bowman, J. R. and Essene, E. J., 1984, Contact skarn formation at Elkhorn, Montana--I. P-T-Component Activity conditions of early skarn formation: Amer. Jour. Sci., v. 284, p. 498- 550.

45.    Mensing, T. M., Faure, G., Jones, L. M., Bowman, J. R., and Hoefs, J., 1984, Petrogenesis of the Kirkpatrick Basalt, Solo Nunatak, Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica, based on isotopic compositions of strontium, oxygen, and sulfur:  Contr. Mineral. Petrol., v. 87, p. 101-108.

46.    Kyle, P. R., Pankhurst, R. J., and Bowman, J. R., 1983, Isotopic and chemical variations in Kirkpatrick Basalt Group rocks from Southern Victoria Land:  In  Oliver, R. L., James, P. R., and Jago, J. B. (eds) Antarctic Earth Science, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 234-237.

47.    Bowman, J. R. and Cole, D., 1982, Hydrogen and oxygen isotope geochemistry of cold and warm springs from the Tuscarora, Nevada Thermal Area:  Geothermal Resources Council Transactions.

48.    Valley, J. W., Peterson, E. U., Essene, E. J., and Bowman, J. R., 1982, Fluorphlogopite and fluortremolite in Adirondack marbles and calculated C-O-H-F fluid compositions:  Amer. Mineral., v. 67, p. 545-557.

49.    Bowman, J. R. and Essene, E. J., 1982, P-T-X(CO2) conditions of contact metamorphism in the Black Butte aureole, Elkhorn, Montana: Amer. Jour. Sci., v. 282, p. 311-340.

50.    Ward, S. H., Parry, W. T., Nash, W. P., Sill, W. R., Cook, K. L., Smith, R. B., Chapman, D. S., Brown, F. H., Whelan, J. A., and Bowman, J. R., 1981, A summary of the geology, geochemistry, and geophysics of the Roosevelt Hot Springs Thermal Area, Utah: Geophysics, v. 43, p. 1515-1542.

51.    Faure, G., Bowman, J. R., and Elliot, D. H., 1979, The initial 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios of the Kirwan volcanics of Dronning Maud Land--Comparison with the Kirkpatrick Basalt, Transantarctic Mountains:  Chem. Geol., v. 26, p. 27-36.

52.    Faure, G, Bowman, J. R., Jones, L.M., and Elliot, D. H., 1974, Strontium isotope composition and petrogenesis of the Kirkpatrick Basalt, Queen Alexandra Range, Antarctica:  Contr. Mineral. Petrol., v. 48, p. 153-169.

53.    Faure, G., Owen, L. B., Bowman, J. R., and Elliot, D. H., 1974,  Zirconium concentrations and initial strontium 87/strontium 86 ratios, Kirkpatrick Basalt, Storm Peak, Queen Alexandra Range:  Antarctic Jour. of the U. S., v. 9, p. 239-241.