Latisha Brengman
Latisha Brengman e: lbrengma@d.umn.edu
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  • I am a geoscientist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota - Duluth, where I teach Earth History , Geochemistry, and Geobiology (co-taught with Biology Department).

    My work is concerned with the the geochemical conditions of Earth’s early oceans, enabling us to better understand how life on earth originated, radiated, and diversified.

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I am interested in deciphering early Earth problems relevant to nascent life.

At present, much of the work in my lab revolves around the genesis of Precambrian volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Of particular interest is an extinct rock known as “iron formation”, or “IF” for short. These chemical sedimentary rocks form between >3.7 and ~1.8 billion years ago, at a time when most of the ocean is thought to have been without free oxygen.

Because they are formed in the ocean, IF are unique in that they can provide information about what the ocean was like in the distant past. By studying element cycling in the early ocean as it relates to the evolution of the crust-ocean system, we can better determine the conditions under which early life evolved.

Research Areas

Working predominantly in the Precambrian Eon (4600 – 541 million years ago), my research draws from a variety of disciplines including sedimentology, stratigraphy, geochemistry, and petrology to focus on questions relating to early Earth processes. To date, my research involves both field and laboratory work, and seeks to determine and test hypotheses related to Precambrian earth-system evolution.

Element and Isotope Geochemistry

Controls on quartz precipitation mechanisms and isotope fractionation during diagenesis of Precambrian chemical sedimentary rocks like IF are not well constrained. Learn more

Sedimentology and Petrogenesis

As chemical sedimentary rocks, the primary minerals in iron formations are thought to precipitate from seawater, and, if identified, may provide insight into geochemical conditions of Earth’s early oceans where nascent life is hypothesized to have first evolved. Learn more

Lab News

June 26, 2018

Interested in working in the lab for summer research? Currently recruiting!

We are currently recruiting for summer and fall undergraduate researchers! Interested in sedimentology and geochemistry? Read the article here: https://scse.d.umn.edu/earth-environmental-sciences-depa…

June 26, 2018

Congratulations to Anthony Wetzel and Kendall Johnson on their UROPs!

UMD undergraduate students Anthony Wetzel and Kendall Johnson just completed their 2017-18 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Projects (UROPs) and presented their research at the UROP Showcase. You ca…

November 11, 2016

Congrats to Ugrad Stephen Hanson who will be presenting his research at the UROP Showcase, Nov. 15th, from 11 – 11:30 am in the Kirby Rafters

Undergraduate Earth and Environmental Sciences major Stephen Hanson has been working since January 2016 to characterize the mineralogy and textures of several samples of ~1.9 Ga chemical sedimentary r…

October 10, 2016

Fall 2016: Looking for data for student projects / grants to apply for? Check these links out

https://earthdata.nasa.gov/ https://earthdata.nasa.gov/earth-observation-data http://www.earthcube.org/info/about http://www.cubesat.org/http://fc.umn.edu/ http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/progra…

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Projects

At present, projects in my lab focus on investigating the Precambrian silica cycle as it relates to the evolution of the crust-ocean system, when early microbial life radiated and evolved.

Current Projects

Deciphering textural features and geochemical signatures of Precambrian sedimentary rocks

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Current Projects

Constraining quartz precipitation mechanisms in the Precambrian

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Current Projects

Applying non-traditional stable isotopes as tools to study the petrogenesis of Precambrian cherts

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Outreach

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Publications

Brengman, L. A., Fedo, C.M. (2012). Origin of BIF-like jaspilite in the 2.72 Ga Hunter Mine Group, Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Quebec by metasomatic replacement of felsic volcanic rocks. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, Annual Meeting, Charlotte, N.C., v. 45, n. 7, p. 627.

Brengman, L. A., Fedo, C. M., Whitehouse, M. J. (2013). Silicon isotope composition of Archean cherts from >3.7 Ga to 2.7 Ga determined by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, Annual Meeting, Charlotte, N.C., v. 44, n. 7, p. 36.

Prentice, A., Jabeen, I, Webb, E., Banerjee, N., Ali, A., Brengman, L., Fedo, C. (2014). Dual Si and O Measurements Using IRMS-BrF5 Fluorination. Goldschmidt Conference, Sacramento, C.A., p. 1988.

Fedo, C. M., Brengman, L. A., (2014) Revisiting the stratigraphic setting of the ~3 Ga Buhwa Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, v. 46, n. 6, p. 221.

Brengman, L. A., Fedo, C. M., Whitehouse, M. J. (2014) From source to sink: silicon isotope composition of bedrock, detrital quartz arenites, and siliceous precipitates from the ~3 Ga Buhwa Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, v. 46, n. 6, p. 221.

Brengman, L.A., Fedo, C. M., Whitehouse, M. J. (2015) Micro-scale silicon isotope heterogeneity observed in hydrothermal quartz precipitates from the >3.7 Ga Isua Greenstone Belt, SW Greenland. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, v. 47, n. 7, p.786.

Brengman, L.A., Larson, P., Hanson, S. (2016) A textural and mineralogical investigation of early diagenetic reactions in the ~1.88 Ga Biwabik iron formation, MN. Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs. v. 48, n. 7.

Brengman, L.A., Fedo, C. M., and Whitehouse, M. J., (2016). Micro‐scale silicon isotope heterogeneity observed in hydrothermal quartz precipitates from the> 3.7 Ga Isua Greenstone Belt, SW Greenland. Terra Nova 28.1: 70-75.

Brengman L. A., Heins W.A., Matthews J.A., (2016). Dissolution and Transformation of Provenance Lithotypes during Initial Sediment Generation with Application to Play-Element Prediction. ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company Research Application Report URC.2016.046, 136 p.

Brengman, L.A., Fedo, C.M., (2018). Development of a mixed seawater-hydrothermal fluid geochemical signature during alteration of volcanic rocks in the Archean (∼2.7 Ga) Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Canada. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 227: 227-245.

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Mesabi Iron Range Core
Mesabi Iron Range Core
Banded "slaty" unit from the ~1.9 Ga Biwabik Iron Formation.
Mesabi Iron Range Core
Banded "slaty" unit from the ~1.9 Ga Biwabik Iron Formation.
Deloro Iron Formation
Deloro Iron Formation
Hiking to the ~2.7 Ga Deloro Iron formation outcrop near Timmins, Ontario
Deloro Iron Formation
Hiking to the ~2.7 Ga Deloro Iron formation outcrop near Timmins, Ontario
Soudan Mine
Soudan Mine
Entry point to Soudan Underground Mine (~2.7 Ga Iron Formation, MN).
Soudan Mine
Entry point to Soudan Underground Mine (~2.7 Ga Iron Formation, MN).
Soudan Iron Formation
Soudan Iron Formation
~2.7 Ga Soudan Iron formation, MN from underground mine
Soudan Iron Formation
~2.7 Ga Soudan Iron formation, MN from underground mine
Lake Superior sunset
Lake Superior sunset
Duluth, MN
Lake Superior sunset
Duluth, MN
Lake Abitibi
Lake Abitibi
Felsic Dike Swarm, part of the ~2.72 Ga Hunter Mine Group
Lake Abitibi
Felsic Dike Swarm, part of the ~2.72 Ga Hunter Mine Group
~1.9 Ga Mesabi Iron Range
~1.9 Ga Mesabi Iron Range
Iron Mine, Hibbing, MN
~1.9 Ga Mesabi Iron Range
Iron Mine, Hibbing, MN
XRF of Biwabik Iron Formation Core
XRF of Biwabik Iron Formation Core
Using the XRF facility at the Large Lakes Observatory on ~1.9 Ga iron formation core
XRF of Biwabik Iron Formation Core
Using the XRF facility at the Large Lakes Observatory on ~1.9 Ga iron formation core
Death Valley sunset
Death Valley sunset
Field work, December 2015
Death Valley sunset
Field work, December 2015
Modern microbes
Modern microbes
Modern iron-microbial mats deep underground in the Soudan Mine (2.7 Ga Iron formation)
Modern microbes
Modern iron-microbial mats deep underground in the Soudan Mine (2.7 Ga Iron formation)
Spinifex Ridge
Spinifex Ridge
Spinifex texture in Archean komatiite
Spinifex Ridge
Spinifex texture in Archean komatiite
Exotic and enigmatic granular iron formation
Exotic and enigmatic granular iron formation
Cross-polarized light image of ~2mm "granules" (ovoid shapes) made of microcrystalline quartz and cemented by megaquartz
Exotic and enigmatic granular iron formation
Cross-polarized light image of ~2mm "granules" (ovoid shapes) made of microcrystalline quartz and cemented by megaquartz
Upper Deloro Iron formation
Upper Deloro Iron formation
~2.7 Ga Upper Deloro Iron formation, near Timmins, ON
Upper Deloro Iron formation
~2.7 Ga Upper Deloro Iron formation, near Timmins, ON
A geologic history of the Western US
A geologic history of the Western US
A geologic history of the Western US
New lab renovations underway!
New lab renovations underway!
New lab renovations underway!
EES Dept. @ UMD
EES Dept. @ UMD
Our hallway museum here at the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department @ UMD
EES Dept. @ UMD
Our hallway museum here at the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department @ UMD
Setting out the core
Setting out the core
@MNDNR investigating a pristine drill core of a section of the ~1.9 Ga Biwabik Iron formation
Setting out the core
@MNDNR investigating a pristine drill core of a section of the ~1.9 Ga Biwabik Iron formation
MNDNR core repository
MNDNR core repository
MNDNR core repository
Soudan underground mine
Soudan underground mine
~2.7 Ga iron formation
Soudan underground mine
~2.7 Ga iron formation
Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden
Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden
NORDSIMS facility, isotope collaborations
Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden
NORDSIMS facility, isotope collaborations
Granular iron formation thin section image
Granular iron formation thin section image
5x, cross-polarized light image with the gypsum plate in. Width of image ~2.5 mm.
Granular iron formation thin section image
5x, cross-polarized light image with the gypsum plate in. Width of image ~2.5 mm.
Carbonate crystals in granular iron formation
Carbonate crystals in granular iron formation
2.5x, cross-polarized light image. Granules (ovoid shapes) ~2 mm each.
Carbonate crystals in granular iron formation
2.5x, cross-polarized light image. Granules (ovoid shapes) ~2 mm each.
Warped, zoned carbonate crystal
Warped, zoned carbonate crystal
Central crystal ~ 2 mm.
Warped, zoned carbonate crystal
Central crystal ~ 2 mm.
Distribution of the element silicon in iron formation sample
Distribution of the element silicon in iron formation sample
Si K-alpha x-ray map
Distribution of the element silicon in iron formation sample
Si K-alpha x-ray map
Underground physics lab
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Underground physics lab
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Taconite mine
Taconite mine
near Eveleth, MN
Taconite mine
near Eveleth, MN
Mine microbes
Mine microbes
@Soudan underground mine Level 27
Mine microbes
@Soudan underground mine Level 27
Underground physics lab
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Entrance to Soundan Underground Mine
Entrance to Soundan Underground Mine
Entrance to Soundan Underground Mine
Desert sunset
Desert sunset
Mohave
Desert sunset
Mohave
North shore volcanics ~1.1 Ga
North shore volcanics ~1.1 Ga
Duluth, MN
North shore volcanics ~1.1 Ga
Duluth, MN
Gunflint trail stromatolites
Gunflint trail stromatolites
ILSG field trip, MN May 2016
Gunflint trail stromatolites
ILSG field trip, MN May 2016
@NORDSIMS
@NORDSIMS
@NORDSIMS
LT and the 1280
LT and the 1280
@NORDSIMS
LT and the 1280
@NORDSIMS
Geologists geologizing
Geologists geologizing
ILSG field trip, MN May 2016
Geologists geologizing
ILSG field trip, MN May 2016
IMG_20190611_143642564
IMG_20190611_143642564
IMG_20190611_143642564
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Mesabi Iron Range Core
Mesabi Iron Range Core
Banded "slaty" unit from the ~1.9 Ga Biwabik Iron Formation.
Mesabi Iron Range Core
Banded "slaty" unit from the ~1.9 Ga Biwabik Iron Formation.
Deloro Iron Formation
Deloro Iron Formation
Hiking to the ~2.7 Ga Deloro Iron formation outcrop near Timmins, Ontario
Deloro Iron Formation
Hiking to the ~2.7 Ga Deloro Iron formation outcrop near Timmins, Ontario
Soudan Mine
Soudan Mine
Entry point to Soudan Underground Mine (~2.7 Ga Iron Formation, MN).
Soudan Mine
Entry point to Soudan Underground Mine (~2.7 Ga Iron Formation, MN).
Soudan Iron Formation
Soudan Iron Formation
~2.7 Ga Soudan Iron formation, MN from underground mine
Soudan Iron Formation
~2.7 Ga Soudan Iron formation, MN from underground mine
Lake Superior sunset
Lake Superior sunset
Duluth, MN
Lake Superior sunset
Duluth, MN
Lake Abitibi
Lake Abitibi
Felsic Dike Swarm, part of the ~2.72 Ga Hunter Mine Group
Lake Abitibi
Felsic Dike Swarm, part of the ~2.72 Ga Hunter Mine Group
~1.9 Ga Mesabi Iron Range
~1.9 Ga Mesabi Iron Range
Iron Mine, Hibbing, MN
~1.9 Ga Mesabi Iron Range
Iron Mine, Hibbing, MN
XRF of Biwabik Iron Formation Core
XRF of Biwabik Iron Formation Core
Using the XRF facility at the Large Lakes Observatory on ~1.9 Ga iron formation core
XRF of Biwabik Iron Formation Core
Using the XRF facility at the Large Lakes Observatory on ~1.9 Ga iron formation core
Death Valley sunset
Death Valley sunset
Field work, December 2015
Death Valley sunset
Field work, December 2015
Modern microbes
Modern microbes
Modern iron-microbial mats deep underground in the Soudan Mine (2.7 Ga Iron formation)
Modern microbes
Modern iron-microbial mats deep underground in the Soudan Mine (2.7 Ga Iron formation)
Spinifex Ridge
Spinifex Ridge
Spinifex texture in Archean komatiite
Spinifex Ridge
Spinifex texture in Archean komatiite
Exotic and enigmatic granular iron formation
Exotic and enigmatic granular iron formation
Cross-polarized light image of ~2mm "granules" (ovoid shapes) made of microcrystalline quartz and cemented by megaquartz
Exotic and enigmatic granular iron formation
Cross-polarized light image of ~2mm "granules" (ovoid shapes) made of microcrystalline quartz and cemented by megaquartz
Upper Deloro Iron formation
Upper Deloro Iron formation
~2.7 Ga Upper Deloro Iron formation, near Timmins, ON
Upper Deloro Iron formation
~2.7 Ga Upper Deloro Iron formation, near Timmins, ON
A geologic history of the Western US
A geologic history of the Western US
A geologic history of the Western US
New lab renovations underway!
New lab renovations underway!
New lab renovations underway!
EES Dept. @ UMD
EES Dept. @ UMD
Our hallway museum here at the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department @ UMD
EES Dept. @ UMD
Our hallway museum here at the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department @ UMD
Setting out the core
Setting out the core
@MNDNR investigating a pristine drill core of a section of the ~1.9 Ga Biwabik Iron formation
Setting out the core
@MNDNR investigating a pristine drill core of a section of the ~1.9 Ga Biwabik Iron formation
MNDNR core repository
MNDNR core repository
MNDNR core repository
Soudan underground mine
Soudan underground mine
~2.7 Ga iron formation
Soudan underground mine
~2.7 Ga iron formation
Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden
Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden
NORDSIMS facility, isotope collaborations
Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden
NORDSIMS facility, isotope collaborations
Granular iron formation thin section image
Granular iron formation thin section image
5x, cross-polarized light image with the gypsum plate in. Width of image ~2.5 mm.
Granular iron formation thin section image
5x, cross-polarized light image with the gypsum plate in. Width of image ~2.5 mm.
Carbonate crystals in granular iron formation
Carbonate crystals in granular iron formation
2.5x, cross-polarized light image. Granules (ovoid shapes) ~2 mm each.
Carbonate crystals in granular iron formation
2.5x, cross-polarized light image. Granules (ovoid shapes) ~2 mm each.
Warped, zoned carbonate crystal
Warped, zoned carbonate crystal
Central crystal ~ 2 mm.
Warped, zoned carbonate crystal
Central crystal ~ 2 mm.
Distribution of the element silicon in iron formation sample
Distribution of the element silicon in iron formation sample
Si K-alpha x-ray map
Distribution of the element silicon in iron formation sample
Si K-alpha x-ray map
Underground physics lab
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Underground physics lab
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Taconite mine
Taconite mine
near Eveleth, MN
Taconite mine
near Eveleth, MN
Mine microbes
Mine microbes
@Soudan underground mine Level 27
Mine microbes
@Soudan underground mine Level 27
Underground physics lab
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Underground physics lab
@Soudan underground mine
Entrance to Soundan Underground Mine
Entrance to Soundan Underground Mine
Entrance to Soundan Underground Mine
Desert sunset
Desert sunset
Mohave
Desert sunset
Mohave
North shore volcanics ~1.1 Ga
North shore volcanics ~1.1 Ga
Duluth, MN
North shore volcanics ~1.1 Ga
Duluth, MN
Gunflint trail stromatolites
Gunflint trail stromatolites
ILSG field trip, MN May 2016
Gunflint trail stromatolites
ILSG field trip, MN May 2016
@NORDSIMS
@NORDSIMS
@NORDSIMS
LT and the 1280
LT and the 1280
@NORDSIMS
LT and the 1280
@NORDSIMS
Geologists geologizing
Geologists geologizing
ILSG field trip, MN May 2016
Geologists geologizing
ILSG field trip, MN May 2016
IMG_20190611_143642564
IMG_20190611_143642564
IMG_20190611_143642564
Load more

Latisha Ashley Brengman
ph. (218) 726-7586
e. lbrengma@d.umn.edu

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Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
1114 Kirby Drive, 221 Heller Hall
Duluth, MN 55812

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