Kris Sokół

I am primarily, but not exclusively, interested in petrology, geochemistry and microanalysis. I am a Master of Geoscience graduate from Keele University (Staffordshire, UK) and completed a PhD at the University of St Andrews, Scotland studying the geochemical and mineralogical patterns in alteration zones created by the syenite magmas to improve the understanding of rare-metal (mainly the so-called high-field-strength-elements”, or HFSE, such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Ti, Sc, Y, Pb U, Th and the rare-earth lanthanides, or REE) transport in the upper crust. My earlier research also included studying carbonate ramp thrust systems of Cantabria (N Spain), sedimentology, stratigraphy, structural and petroleum geology.

In my work I use an array of analytical techniques including X-ray Fluorescence, X-ray Diffraction, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Electron Probe Micro-Analysis. At Oxford my work will include quality control and characterisation of natural gems.