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Dr. Peter Barry

Associate Scientist
Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department

Contact Information:
Work: 508-289-2327
pbarry@whoi.edu
Building: Clark 419

Mailing Address:
266 Woods Hole Road, MS #25
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole, MA 02543

Research Interests

The goal of our research is to understand the volatile history and chemical evolution of Earth. Specifically, we use stable and noble gas isotope systematics to understand the dynamic processes of subduction, mantle convection and surface volcanism, which control the redistribution of chemical constituents between the crust and mantle reservoirs. We are also interested in addressing a diverse array of geochemical questions, pertaining to both igneous and crustal systems as well as groundwater systems. The main research focus has been on high-temperature geochemistry, crust-mantle interactions and the behavior of volatile fluids in the lithosphere.  However, more recent research focuses on using noble gas geochemistry to better understand crustal systems, including hydrocarbon formation and transport mechanisms.

Selected Publications

  1. Labidi et al., 2020 Nature
  2. Barry et al., 2019 Nature
  3. Fullerton et al. 2021 Nature

Recent Field Work

  • Chile 2020: Sampling volcanic gases
  • Yellowstone 2019: Sampling volcanic gases
  • Ethiopia 2019: Sampling hot springs
  • Argentina 2019: Sampling fumaroles and seeps in the volcanic backarc
  • Ethiopia 2018: Sampling hot springs
  • Tanzania 2018: Sampling volcanic gases and high He seeps
  • Yellowstone 2018: Sampling volcanic gases
  • Panama 2018: Groundwater sampling in the volcanic forearc
  • Costa Rica 2018: Lead PI on DCO funded ‘Biology Meets Subduction’ field expedition – part 2
  • Orcutt, California 2018: Produced water, oil and gas sampling
  • Iceland 2017: Sampling fluids, gases and lavas from Northern Rift Zone
  • Sicily 2017: Sampling fluids, gases and lavas from Etna Volcano
  • Nicaragua 2017: Sampling fluids, gases and lavas from Telica Volcano
  • Costa Rica 2017: Lead PI on DCO funded ‘Biology Meets Subduction’ field expedition – part 1
  • Nicaragua 2017: Sampling fluids, gases and lavas from Telica Volcano
  • Costa Rica 2017: Lead PI on DCO funded ‘Biology Meets Subduction’ field expedition
  • Tanzania 2016: Testing portable mass spectrometer on high He seeps
  • Lost Hills, California 2016: Produced water, oil and gas sampling
  • Papua New Guinea 2016: Volcanic gas sampling
  • Bakersfield, California 2016: Groundwater and oil and gas sampling
  • Tanzania 2016: High helium natural seep sampling
  • West Texas & Louisiana 2016: Methane sample collection
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Education

Ph.D.: Earth Sciences. 2012.  Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD, USA

M.S.: Oceanography. 2011.  Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD, USA

Visiting Researcher (NSF EAPSI Fellow).: 2008.  Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI), The University of Tokyo, Japan

B.A.: Geological Sciences. 2004. The State University of New York at Geneseo, USA

Appointments

2019-Present      Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Woods Hole, USA – Assistant Scientist

2014-2018          University of Oxford, UK – Postdoctoral Research Associate

2012-2014          The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA (NSF EAR-Postdoctoral Fellow)

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