Staff profile

I am a geochemist with strong research interests in isotope geochemistry as a tool to address scientific questions from melt generation to surface environmental pollution. My research uses state of the art multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) and thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS), supported by an extensive suite of clean labs for elemental separation in materials from rocks to soils to water.

2018 - Associate Professor, University of Durham

2011 - 2018: NERC Research Fellow, Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Imperial College London

2008 - 2011: PDRA, NERC Research Fellow, University of Oxford

2004 - 2008: PhD, University of Bristol

2002 - 2004: Master of Science, Washington State University, USA

1998 - 2002: B.Sc. Honors, Carleton University, Canada

I am actively recruiting postgraduate students under the broad themes of:

• Subduction zone geochemistry
• Metal Pollution identification and mitigation
• Developement of isotopic tools for Earth systems

Specific projects are usually advertised in November for starting in October the following year. Projects could be funded through the IAPETUS2 DTP (https://www.iapetus2.ac.uk/), Durham Doctoral Scholarships, or other means.

Do not hesitate to get in touch at any time of year to discuss potential projects!

Supervises

• Lewis Robinson (Durham)
• Gemma Brown (Durham)
• Vicky Alcock (Oxford)

• 2000: Houtermans Award: European Association of Geochemistry Houtermans Award for exceptional contributions to geochemistry

Journal Article

• Stow, M., Prytulak, J., Burton, K., Nowell, G., Marshall, E., Halldórsson, S., …Caracciolo, A. (2023). No V-Fe-Zn isotopic variation in basalts from the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption. Geochemical perspectives letters, 27, 54-58. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.2335
• Boocock, T. J., Stüeken, E. E., Bybee, G. M., König, R., Boyce, A. J., Prytulak, J., …Mikhail, S. (2023). Equilibrium partitioning and isotopic fractionation of nitrogen between biotite, plagioclase, and K-feldspar during magmatic differentiation. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 356, 116-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2023.07.010
• Hicks, S. P., Bie, L., Rychert, C. A., Harmon, N., Goes, S., Rietbrock, A., …Kendall, J. (2023). Slab to back-arc to arc: Fluid and melt pathways through the mantle wedge beneath the Lesser Antilles. Science Advances, 9(5), https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.add2143
• Boocock, T. J., Mikhail, S., Boyce, A. J., Prytulak, J., Savage, P. S., & Stüeken, E. E. (2023). A primary magmatic source of nitrogen to Earth’s crust. Nature Geoscience, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01194-3
• Wei, F., Prytulak, J., Baker, E. B., Xu, J., & Zhao, B. (2022). Identifying Tethys oceanic fingerprint in post-collisional potassium-rich lavas in Tibet using thallium isotopes. Chemical Geology, 607, Article 121013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2022.121013
• Stow, M. A., Prytulak, J., Humphreys, M. C., & Nowell, G. M. (2022). Integrated Petrological and Fe-Zn Isotopic Modelling of Plutonic Differentiation. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 320, 366-391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2021.12.018
• Mangler, M. F., Petrone, C. M., & Prytulak, J. (2022). Magma recharge patterns control eruption styles and magnitudes at Popocatépetl volcano (Mexico). Geology, 50(3), 366-370. https://doi.org/10.1130/g49365.1
• Williamson, N. M., Weis, D., & Prytulak, J. (2021). Thallium Isotopic Compositions in Hawaiian Lavas: Evidence for Recycled Materials on the Kea Side of the Hawaiian Mantle Plume. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 22(9), Article e2021GC009765. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021gc009765
• Reeve, M. T., Magee, C., Bastow, I. D., McDermott, C., Jackson, C. A., Bell, R. E., & Prytulak, J. (2021). Nature of the Cuvier Abyssal Plain crust, offshore NW Australia. Journal of the Geological Society, 178(5), Article 172. https://doi.org/10.1144/jgs2020-172
• Brett, E., Prytulak, J., Rehkämper, M., Hammond, S., Chauvel, C., Stracke, A., & Willbold, M. (2021). Thallium elemental and isotopic systematics in ocean island lavas. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 301, 187-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2021.02.035
• Fonseca, R. O., Michely, L. T., Kirchenbaur, M., Prytulak, J., Ryan, J., Hauke, K., …Schellhorn, R. (2021). Formation mechanisms of macroscopic globules in andesitic glasses from the Izu–Bonin–Mariana forearc (IODP Expedition 352). Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 176(1), https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-020-01756-3
• Brown, J., Cooper, G., Nowell, G., Macpherson, C., Neill, I., & Prytulak, J. (2021). Isotopic Compositions of Plagioclase From Plutonic Xenoliths Reveal Crustal Assimilation Below Martinique, Lesser Antilles Arc. Frontiers in Earth Science, 9, Article 682583. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.682583
• Boocock, T. J., Mikhail, S., Prytulak, J., Di Rocco, T., & Stüeken, E. E. (2020). Nitrogen Mass Fraction and Stable Isotope Ratios for Fourteen Geological Reference Materials: Evaluating the Applicability of Elemental Analyser Versus Sealed Tube Combustion Methods. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 44(3), 537-551. https://doi.org/10.1111/ggr.12345
• Cooper, G. F., Macpherson, C. G., Blundy, J. D., Maunder, B., Allen, R. W., Goes, S., …team, T. V. (2020). Variable water input controls evolution of the Lesser Antilles volcanic arc. Nature, 582, 525-529. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2407-5
• Novella, D., Maclennan, J., Shorttle, O., Prytulak, J., & Murton, B. J. (2020). A multi-proxy investigation of mantle oxygen fugacity along the Reykjanes Ridge. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 531, Article 115973. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2019.115973
• Fitzpayne, A., Prytulak, J., Giuliani, A., & Hergt, J. (2020). Thallium isotopic composition of phlogopite in kimberlite-hosted MARID and PIC mantle xenoliths. Chemical Geology, 531, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2019.119347
• Mangler, M. F., Petrone, C. M., Hill, S., Delgado-Granados, H., & Prytulak, J. (2020). A Pyroxenic View on Magma Hybridization and Crystallization at Popocatépetl Volcano, Mexico. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8, Article 362. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00362
• Maunder, B., Prytulak, J., Goes, S., & Reagan, M. (2020). Rapid subduction initiation and magmatism in the Western Pacific driven by internal vertical forces. Nature Communications, 11(1), Article 1874. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-15737-4
• Little, S. H., Munson, S., Prytulak, J., Coles, B. J., Hammond, S. J., & Widdowson, M. (2019). Cu and Zn isotope fractionation during extreme chemical weathering. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 263, 85-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2019.07.057
• Li, H., Taylor, R. N., Prytulak, J., Kirchenbaur, M., Shervais, J., Ryan, J. G., …Pearce, J. A. (2019). Radiogenic isotopes document the start of subduction in the western Pacific. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 518, 197-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2019.04.041
• Mangler, M., Prytulak, J., Gisbert, G., Delgado-Granados, H., & Petrone, C. (2019). Interplinian effusive activity at Popocatepetl volcano, Mexico: new insights into evolution and dynamics of the plumbing system. Volcanica, 2(1), 45-72. https://doi.org/10.30909/vol.02.01.4572
• Hopkins, S., Prytulak, J., Barling, J., Russell, S., Coles, B., & Halliday, A. (2019). The vanadium isotopic composition of lunar basalts. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 511, 12-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2019.01.008
• Nielsen, S., Auro, M., Righter, K., Davis, D., Prytulak, J., Wu, F., & Owens, J. (2019). Nucleosynthetic vanadium isotope heterogeneity of the early solar system recorded in chondrite meteorites. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 505, 131-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2018.10.029
• Goes, S., Collier, J., Blundy, J., Davidson, J., Harmon, N., Henstock, T., …Wilson, M. (2019). Project VoiLA: Volatile Recycling in the Lesser Antilles. Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union, 100, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019eo117309
• Shervais, J., Reagan, M., Haugen, E., Almeev, R., Pearce, J., Prytulak, J., …Vetter, S. (2019). Magmatic Response to Subduction Initiation, Part I: Forearc Basalts of the Izu-Bonin Arc from IODP Expedition 352. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 20(1), 314-338. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018gc007731
• Perrin, A., Goes, S., Prytulak, J., Rondenay, S., & Davies, D. (2018). Mantle wedge temperatures and their potential relation to volcanic arc location. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 501, 67-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2018.08.011
• Fitzpayne, A., Prytulak, J., Wilkinson, J., Cooke, D., Baker, M., & Wilkinson, C. (2018). Assessing Thallium Elemental Systematics and Isotope Ratio Variations in Porphyry Ore Systems: A Case Study of the Bingham Canyon District. Minerals, 8(12), Article 548. https://doi.org/10.3390/min8120548
• Howarth, S., Prytulak, J., Little, S., Hammond, S., & Widdowson, M. (2018). Thallium concentration and thallium stable isotope composition of lateritic terrains. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 239, 446-462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2018.04.017
• Brett, A., Prytulak, J., Hammond, S., & Rehkamper, M. (2018). Thallium mass fraction and stable isotope ratios of sixteen geological reference materials. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 42(3), 339-360. https://doi.org/10.1111/ggr.12215
• Williams, H., Prytulak, J., Woodhead, J., Kelley, K., Brounce, M., & Plank, T. (2018). Interplay of crystal fractionation, sulfide saturation and oxygen fugacity on the iron isotope composition of arc lavas: An example from the Marianas. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 226, 224-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2018.02.008
• Sossi, P., Prytulak, J., & O’Neill, H. S. C. (2018). Experimental calibration of vanadium partitioning and stable isotope fractionation between hydrous granitic melt and magnetite at 800 °C and 0.5 GPa. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 173(4), Article 27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-018-1451-8
• Wei, F., Prytulak, J., Xu, J., Wei, W., Hammond, J. O., & Zhao, B. (2017). The cause and source of melting for the most recent volcanism in Tibet: A combined geochemical and geophysical perspective. Lithos, 288-289, 175-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2017.07.003
• Reagan, M. K., Pearce, J. A., Petronotis, K., Almeev, R. R., Avery, A. J., Carvallo, C., …Whattam, S. A. (2017). Subduction initiation and ophiolite crust: new insights from IODP drilling. International Geology Review, 59(11), 1439-1450. https://doi.org/10.1080/00206814.2016.1276482
• Nielsen, S., Prytulak, J., Blusztajn, J., Shu, Y., Auro, M., Regelous, M., & Walker, J. (2017). Thallium isotopes as tracers of recycled materials in subduction zones: Review and new data for lavas from Tonga-Kermadec and Central America. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 339, 23-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2017.04.024
• Ryan, J., Shervais, J., Li, Y., Reagan, M., Li, H., Heaton, D., …Petronotis, K. (2017). Application of a handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for real-time, high-density quantitative analysis of drilled igneous rocks and sediments during IODP Expedition 352. Chemical Geology, 451, 55-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2017.01.007
• Prytulak, J., Brett, A., Webb, M., Plank, T., Rehkamper, M., Savage, P., & Woodhead, J. (2017). Thallium elemental behavior and stable isotope fractionation during magmatic processes. Chemical Geology, 448, 71-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.11.007
• Nielsen, S., Rehkämper, M., & Prytulak, J. (2017). Investigation and Application of Thallium Isotope Fractionation. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 82(1), 759-798. https://doi.org/10.2138/rmg.2017.82.18
• Prytulak, J., Sossi, P., Halliday, A., Plank, T., Savage, P., & Woodhead, J. (2016). Stable vanadium isotopes as a redox proxy in magmatic systems?. Geochemical perspectives letters, 3(1), 75-84. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.1708
• Perrin, A., Goes, S., Prytulak, J., Davies, D., Wilson, C., & Kramer, S. (2016). Reconciling mantle wedge thermal structure with arc lava thermobarometric determinations in oceanic subduction zones. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 17(10), 4105-4127. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016gc006527
• Nielsen, S., Yogodzinski, G., Prytulak, J., Plank, T., Kay, S., Kay, R., …Kading, T. (2016). Tracking along-arc sediment inputs to the Aleutian arc using thallium isotopes. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 181, 217-237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2016.03.010
• Ventura, G. T., Gall, L., Siebert, C., Prytulak, J., Szatmari, P., Huerlimann, M., & Halliday, A. N. (2015). The stable isotope composition of vanadium, nickel, and molybdenum in crude oils. Applied Geochemistry, 59, 104-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2015.04.009
• Elkins, L., Sims, K., Prytulak, J., Blichert-Toft, J., Elliott, T., Blusztajn, J., …Schilling, J. -. (2014). Melt generation beneath Arctic Ridges: Implications from U decay series disequilibria in the Mohns, Knipovich, and Gakkel Ridges. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 127, 140-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2013.11.031
• Prytulak, J., Avanzinelli, R., Koetsier, G., Kreissig, K., Beier, C., & Elliott, T. (2014). Melting versus contamination effects on U-238-Th-230-Ra-226 and U-235-Pa-231 disequilibria in lavas from Sao Miguel, Azores. Chemical Geology, 381, 94-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2014.04.030
• Nielsen, S. G., Prytulak, J., Wood, B. J., & Halliday, A. N. (2014). Vanadium isotopic difference between the silicate Earth and meteorites. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 389, 167-175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2013.12.030
• Waters, C., Sims, K., Soule, S., Blichert-Toft, J., Dunbar, N., Plank, T., …Tivey, M. (2013). Recent volcanic accretion at 9 degrees N-10 degrees N East Pacific Rise as resolved by combined geochemical and geological observations. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 14(8), 2547-2574. https://doi.org/10.1002/ggge.20134
• Dulaiova, H., Sims, K., Charette, M., Prytulak, J., & Blusztajn, J. (2013). A new method for the determination of low-level actinium-227 in geological samples. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 296(1), 279-283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-2140-0
• Prytulak, J., Nielsen, S., Ionov, D., Halliday, A., Harvey, J., Kelley, K., …Sims, K. (2013). The stable vanadium isotope composition of the mantle and mafic lavas. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 365, 177-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2013.01.010
• Sims, K., Pichat, S., Reagan, M., Kyle, P., Dulaiova, H., Dunbar, N., …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 U-238, U-235 and Th-232 Decay Series. Journal of Petrology, 54(2), 235-271. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egs068
• Prytulak, J., Nielsen, S., Plank, T., Barker, M., & Elliott, T. (2013). Assessing the utility of thallium and thallium isotopes for tracing subduction zone inputs to the Mariana arc. Chemical Geology, 345, 139-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2013.03.003
• Avanzinelli, R., Prytulak, J., Skora, S., Heumann, A., Koetsier, G., & Elliott, T. (2012). Combined U-238-Th-230 and U-235-Pa-231 constraints on the transport of slab-derived material beneath the Mariana Islands. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 92, 308-328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2012.06.020
• Prytulak, J., Nielsen, S., & Halliday, A. (2011). Determination of Precise and Accurate V-51/V-50 Isotope Ratios by Multi-Collector ICP-MS, Part 2: Isotopic Composition of Six Reference Materials plus the Allende Chondrite and Verification Tests. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 35(3), 307-318. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-908x.2011.00105.x
• Nielsen, S., Prytulak, J., & Halliday, A. (2011). Determination of Precise and Accurate V-51/V-50 Isotope Ratios by MC-ICP-MS, Part 1: Chemical Separation of Vanadium and Mass Spectrometric Protocols. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 35(3), 293-306. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-908x.2011.00106.x
• Cousens, B., Henry, C., Harvey, B., Brownrigg, T., Prytulak, J., & Allan, J. (2011). Secular variations in magmatism during a continental arc to post-arc transition: Plio-Pleistocene volcanism in the Lake Tahoe/Truckee area, Northern Sierra Nevada, California. Lithos, 123(1-4, SI), 225-242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2010.09.009
• Elkins, L., Sims, K., Prytulak, J., Elliott, T., Mattielli, N., Blichert-Toft, J., …Murrell, M. (2011). Understanding melt generation beneath the slow-spreading Kolbeinsey Ridge using U-238, Th-230, and Pa-231 excesses. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 75(21), 6300-6329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2011.08.020
• Vervoort, J., Plank, T., & Prytulak, J. (2011). The Hf-Nd isotopic composition of marine sediments. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 75(20), 5903-5926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2011.07.046
• Elkins, L., Sims, K., Prytulak, J., Mattielli, N., Elliott, T., Blichert-Toft, J., …Schilling, J. -. (2009). (U-234/U-238) and (Th-230/U-238) disequilibria in fresh and altered Kolbeinsey Ridge basalts. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73(13, S),
• Prytulak, J., & Elliott, T. (2009). Determining melt productivity of mantle sources from U-238-Th-230 and U-235-Pa-231 disequilibria; an example from Pico Island, Azores. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73(7), 2103-2122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2009.01.001
• Cousens, B., Prytulak, J., Henry, C., Alcazar, A., & Brownrigg, T. (2008). Geology, geochronology, and geochemistry of the Miocene-Pliocene Ancestral Cascades arc, northern Sierra Nevada, California and Nevada: The roles of the upper mantle, subducting slab, and the Sierra Nevada lithosphere. Geosphere, 4(5), 829-853. https://doi.org/10.1130/ges00166.1
• Prytulak, J., Elliott, T., Hoffmann, D., & Coath, C. (2008). Assessment of USGS BCR-2 as a reference material for silicate rock u-pa disequilibrium measurements. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 32(1), 55-63
• Sims, K., Gill, J., Dosseto, A., Hoffmann, D., Lundstrom, C., Williams, R., …Elliott, T. (2008). An inter-laboratory assessment of the thorium isotopic composition of synthetic and rock reference materials. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 32(1), 65-91. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-908x.2008.00870.x
• Prytulak, J., & Elliott, T. (2007). TiO2 enrichment in ocean island basalts. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 263(3-4), 388-403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2007.09.015
• Hoffmann, D., Prytulak, J., Richards, D., Elliott, T., Coath, C., Smart, P. L., & Scholz, D. (2007). Procedures for accurate U and Th isotope measurements by high precision MC-ICPMS. International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 264(2-3), 97-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijms.2007.03.020
• Foster, G., Vance, D., & Prytulak, J. (2007). No change in the neodymium isotope composition of deep water exported from the North Atlantic on glacial-interglacial time scales. Geology, 35(1), 37-40. https://doi.org/10.1130/g23204a.1
• Prytulak, J., Vervoort, J. D., Plank, T., & Yu, C. (2006). Astoria Fan sediments, DSDP site 174, Cascadia Basin: Hf-Nd-Pb constraints on provenance and outburst flooding. Chemical Geology, 233(3-4), 276-292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2006.03.009