The following research topics are available for Honours research:

1. Cathodoluminescence as an indicator of carbonate origin in kimberlites. Volcanic facies analysis of kimberlites critically hinges on the absence or presence of primary carbonate. Primary calcites and dolomites, however, are easily confused with secondary carbonates presudomorphs that may be common in kimberlites. The projects explores if cathodoluminescence (CL) can be used to tell apart secondary and primary kimberlite carbonates. The study involves examination of thin sections under a petrographic microscope, CL optical microscope and scanning electron microscope with a quantitative CL attachment, as well as trace element analysis of carbonates.
2. Enigmatic compositional trend in mantle garnets. The composition of garnet helps us to determine its parent rock, origin in the crust or mantle, and to predict diamond potential of kimberlites. An example of the latter is the widespread use of a so-called "G10" harzburgitic garnet as a diamond indicator mineral. Recently, a new chemical trend was discovered among G10 garnets, and we suspect that the presence of the trend is controlled by the depth from where kimberlites bring mantle material. The project calculates a chemical reaction responsible for the trend, and infers conditions in the mantle that are necessary to generate the trend in garnet compositions.