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)

• Geochemistry Research Group

• 0000: Houtermans Award: European Association of Geochemistry Houtermans Award for exceptional contributions to geochemistry

Journal Article

• Boocock, Toby J., Mikhail, Sami, Boyce, Adrian J., Prytulak, Julie, Savage, Paul S. & Stüeken, Eva E. (2023). A primary magmatic source of nitrogen to Earth’s crust. Nature Geoscience
• Hicks, Stephen P., Bie, Lidong, Rychert, Catherine A., Harmon, Nicholas, Goes, Saskia, Rietbrock, Andreas, Wei, Songqiao Shawn, Collier, Jenny S., Henstock, Timothy J., Lynch, Lloyd, Prytulak, Julie, Macpherson, Colin G., Schlaphorst, David, Wilkinson, Jamie J., Blundy, Jonathan D., Cooper, George F., Davy, Richard G. & Kendall, John-Michael (2023). Slab to back-arc to arc: Fluid and melt pathways through the mantle wedge beneath the Lesser Antilles. Science Advances 9(5).
• Wei, Feixiang, Prytulak, Julie, Baker, Evelyn B., Xu, Jiandong & Zhao, Bo (2022). Identifying Tethys oceanic fingerprint in post-collisional potassium-rich lavas in Tibet using thallium isotopes. Chemical Geology 607: 121013.
• Mangler, Martin F., Petrone, Chiara Maria & Prytulak, Julie (2022). Magma recharge patterns control eruption styles and magnitudes at Popocatépetl volcano (Mexico). Geology 50(3): 366-370.
• Stow, Madeleine A., Prytulak, Julie, Humphreys, Madeleine C. S. & Nowell, Geoffrey M. (2022). Integrated Petrological and Fe-Zn Isotopic Modelling of Plutonic Differentiation. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 320: 366-391.
• Williamson, Nicole M. B., Weis, Dominique & Prytulak, Julie (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): e2021GC009765.
• Reeve, Matthew T., Magee, Craig, Bastow, Ian D., McDermott, Carl, Jackson, Christopher A.-L., Bell, Rebecca E. & Prytulak, Julie (2021). Nature of the Cuvier Abyssal Plain crust, offshore NW Australia. Journal of the Geological Society 178(5): 172.
• Brett, E.K.A., Prytulak, J., Rehkämper, M., Hammond, S.J., Chauvel, C., Stracke, A. & Willbold, M. (2021). Thallium elemental and isotopic systematics in ocean island lavas. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 301: 187-210.
• Fonseca, Raúl O. C., Michely, Lina T., Kirchenbaur, Maria, Prytulak, Julie, Ryan, Jeffrey, Hauke, Kerstin, Leitzke, Felipe P., Almeev, Renat R., Marien, Chris S., Gerdes, Axel & Schellhorn, Rico (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).
• Mangler, Martin F., Petrone, Chiara M., Hill, Samuel, Delgado-Granados, Hugo & Prytulak, Julie (2020). A Pyroxenic View on Magma Hybridization and Crystallization at Popocatépetl Volcano, Mexico. Frontiers in Earth Science 8: 362.
• Boocock, Toby J., Mikhail, Sami, Prytulak, Julie, Di Rocco, Tommaso & Stüeken, Eva 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.
• 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): 1874.
• Fitzpayne, Angus, Prytulak, Julie, Giuliani, Andrea & Hergt, Janet (2020). Thallium isotopic composition of phlogopite in kimberlite-hosted MARID and PIC mantle xenoliths. Chemical Geology 531: 119347.
• Novella, Davide, Maclennan, John, Shorttle, Oliver, Prytulak, Julie & Murton, Bramley J. (2020). A multi-proxy investigation of mantle oxygen fugacity along the Reykjanes Ridge. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 531: 115973.
• Little, Susan H., Munson, Sophie, Prytulak, Julie, Coles, Barry J., Hammond, Samantha J. & Widdowson, Mike (2019). Cu and Zn isotope fractionation during extreme chemical weathering. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 263: 85-107.
• Li, Hong-Yan, Taylor, Rex. N., Prytulak, Julie, Kirchenbaur, Maria, Shervais, John, Ryan, Jeffrey G., Godard, Marguerite, Reagan, Mark. K & Pearce, Julian A. (2019). Radiogenic isotopes document the start of subduction in the western Pacific. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 518: 197-210.
• Mangler, Martin, Prytulak, Julie, Gisbert, Guillem, Delgado-Granados, Hugo & Petrone, Chiara (2019). Interplinian effusive activity at Popocatepetl volcano, Mexico: new insights into evolution and dynamics of the plumbing system. Volcanica 2(1): 45-72.
• Hopkins, S.S., Prytulak, J., Barling, J., Russell, S.S., Coles, B.J. & Halliday, A.N. (2019). The vanadium isotopic composition of lunar basalts. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 511: 12-24.
• Shervais, John, Reagan, Mark, Haugen, Emily, Almeev, Renat, Pearce, Julian, Prytulak, Julie, Ryan, Jeffrey, Whattam, Scott, Godard, Marguerite, Chapman, Timothy, Li, Hongyan, Kurz, Walter, Nelson, Wendy, Heaton, Daniel, Kirchenbaur, Maria, Shimizu, Kenji, Sakuyama, Tetsuya, Li, Yibing & Vetter, Scott (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.
• Nielsen, S.G., Auro, M., Righter, K., Davis, D., Prytulak, J., Wu, F. & Owens, J.D. (2019). Nucleosynthetic vanadium isotope heterogeneity of the early solar system recorded in chondrite meteorites. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 505: 131-140.
• Fitzpayne, Angus, Prytulak, Julie, Wilkinson, Jamie, Cooke, David, Baker, Michael & Wilkinson, Clara (2018). Assessing Thallium Elemental Systematics and Isotope Ratio Variations in Porphyry Ore Systems: A Case Study of the Bingham Canyon District. Minerals 8(12): 548.
• Perrin, A., Goes, S., Prytulak, J., Rondenay, S. & Davies, D.R. (2018). Mantle wedge temperatures and their potential relation to volcanic arc location. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 501: 67-77.
• Brett, A., Prytulak, J., Hammond, S.J. & Rehkamper, M. (2018). Thallium mass fraction and stable isotope ratios of sixteen geological reference materials. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research 42(3): 339-360.
• Howarth, S., Prytulak, J., Little, S.H., Hammond, S.J. & Widdowson, M. (2018). Thallium concentration and thallium stable isotope composition of lateritic terrains. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 239: 446-462.
• Sossi, P. A., Prytulak, J. & O’Neill, H. St. 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): 27.
• Williams, H.M., Prytulak, J., Woodhead, J.D., Kelley, K.A., 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.
• Wei, Feixiang, Prytulak, Julie, Xu, Jiandong, Wei, Wei, Hammond, James O. S. & Zhao, Bo (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.
• Nielsen, S. G., 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.
• Reagan, Mark K., Pearce, Julian A., Petronotis, Katerina, Almeev, Renat R., Avery, Aaron J., Carvallo, Claire, Chapman, Timothy, Christeson, Gail L., Ferre, Eric C., Godard, Marguerite, Heaton, Daniel E., Kirchenbaur, Maria, Kurz, Walter, Kutterolf, Steffen, Li, Hongyan, Li, Yibing, Michibayashi, Katsuyoshi, Morgan, Sally, Nelson, Wendy R., Prytulak, Julie, Python, Marie, Robertson, Alastair H. F., Ryan, Jeffrey G., Sager, William W., Sakuyama, Tetsuya, Shervais, John W., Shimizu, Kenji & Whattam, Scott A. (2017). Subduction initiation and ophiolite crust: new insights from IODP drilling. International Geology Review 59(11): 1439-1450.
• Ryan, J.G., Shervais, J.W., Li, Y., Reagan, M.K., Li, H.Y., Heaton, D., Godard, M., Kirchenbaur, M., Whattam, S.A., Pearce, J.A., Chapman, T., Nelson, W., Prytulak, J., Shimizu, K. & 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.
• Prytulak, J., Brett, A., Webb, M., Plank, T., Rehkamper, M., Savage, P. S. & Woodhead, J. (2017). Thallium elemental behavior and stable isotope fractionation during magmatic processes. Chemical Geology 448: 71-83.
• Nielsen, S.G., Rehkämper, M. & Prytulak, J. (2017). Investigation and Application of Thallium Isotope Fractionation. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 82(1): 759-798.
• Prytulak, J., Sossi, P.A., Halliday, A.N., Plank, T., Savage, P.S. & Woodhead, J.D (2016). Stable vanadium isotopes as a redox proxy in magmatic systems? Geochemical Perspectives Letters 3(1): 75-84.
• Perrin, A., Goes, S., Prytulak, J., Davies, D. R., 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.
• Nielsen, S. G., Yogodzinski, G., Prytulak, J., Plank, T., Kay, S. M., Kay, R.W., Blusztajn, J., Owens, J. D., Auro, M. & Kading, T. (2016). Tracking along-arc sediment inputs to the Aleutian arc using thallium isotopes. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 181: 217-237.
• Ventura, G. Todd, Gall, Louise, Siebert, Christopher, Prytulak, Julie, Szatmari, Peter, Huerlimann, Martin & Halliday, Alex N. (2015). The stable isotope composition of vanadium, nickel, and molybdenum in crude oils. Applied Geochemistry 59: 104-117.
• Nielsen, Sune G., Prytulak, Julie, Wood, Bernard J. & Halliday, Alex N. (2014). Vanadium isotopic difference between the silicate Earth and meteorites. EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS 389: 167-175.
• Prytulak, Julie, Avanzinelli, Riccardo, Koetsier, Govert, Kreissig, Katharina, Beier, Christoph & Elliott, Tim (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.
• Elkins, L. J., Sims, K. W. W., Prytulak, J., Blichert-Toft, J., Elliott, T., Blusztajn, J., Fretzdorff, S., Reagan, M., Haase, K., Humphris, S. & Schilling, J. -G. (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.
• Waters, C. L., Sims, K. W. W., Soule, S. A., Blichert-Toft, J., Dunbar, N. W., Plank, T., Prytulak, J., Sohn, R. A. & Tivey, M. A. (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.
• Dulaiova, H., Sims, K. W. W., Charette, M. A., Prytulak, J. & Blusztajn, J. S. (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.
• Prytulak, J., Nielsen, S.G., Ionov, D.A., Halliday, A.N., Harvey, J., Kelley, K.A., Niu, Yaoling, Peate, D.W., Shimizu, K. & Sims, K.W.W. (2013). The stable vanadium isotope composition of the mantle and mafic lavas. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 365: 177-189.
• Sims, K. W. W., Pichat, S., Reagan, M. K., Kyle, P. R., Dulaiova, H., Dunbar, N. W., Prytulak, J., Sawyer, G., Layne, G. D., Blichert-Toft, J., Gauthier, P. J., Charette, M. A. & Elliott, T. R. (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.
• Prytulak, J., Nielsen, S. G., 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.
• 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.
• Nielsen, S. G., Prytulak, J. & Halliday, A. N. (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.
• Elkins, L. J., Sims, K. W. W., Prytulak, J., Elliott, T., Mattielli, N., Blichert-Toft, J., Blusztajn, J., Dunbar, N., Devey, C., Mertz, D. F., Schilling, J. -G. & 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.
• Cousens, B. L., Henry, C. D., Harvey, B. J., Brownrigg, T., Prytulak, J. & Allan, J. F. (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.
• Vervoort, J. D., Plank, T. & Prytulak, J. (2011). The Hf-Nd isotopic composition of marine sediments. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA 75(20): 5903-5926.
• Prytulak, J., Nielsen, S. G. & Halliday, A. N. (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.
• 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.
• Elkins, L. J., Sims, K. W. W., Prytulak, J., Mattielli, N., Elliott, T., Blichert-Toft, J., Blusztajn, J., Devey, C., Mertz, D., Kelemen, P., Murrell, M. & Schilling, J. -G. (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): A325.
• 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.
• Sims, K. W. W., Gill, J. B., Dosseto, A., Hoffmann, D. L., Lundstrom, C. C., Williams, R. W., Ball, L., Tollstrup, D., Turner, S., Prytulak, J., Glessner, J.J. G., Standish, J. J. & 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.
• Prytulak, J., Elliott, T., Hoffmann, D. L. & Coath, C. D. (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.
• Hoffmann, D. L., Prytulak, J., Richards, D. A., Elliott, T., Coath, C. D., Smart, Peter L. & Scholz, Denis (2007). Procedures for accurate U and Th isotope measurements by high precision MC-ICPMS. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY 264(2-3): 97-109.
• Prytulak, J. & Elliott, T. (2007). TiO2 enrichment in ocean island basalts. EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS 263(3-4): 388-403.
• Foster, G. L., 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.
• Prytulak, Julie, Vervoort, Jeff D., Plank, Terry & Yu, Chunjiang (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.