Dr Ria Mitchell
Postdoctoral Researcher,Co-Evolution Initiative
Division: ES Invertebrates and Plants Palaeobiology
Summary
Currently working on:
1. Using new physical and chemical analytical methods to characterize modern-day primitive soils and mineral substrates associated with cryptogamic ground covers. Cryptogams (bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, hornworts), lichen, fungi, cyanobacteria, algae) represent extant relatives of the first terrestrial organisms in the Early Palaeozoic. Studying modern examples gives us the opportunity to deduce the effect cryptogamic ground covers have on weathering and, ultimately, soil formation, and how this might have contributed to larger earth systems, such as the carbon cycle. 2: Sedimentary systems and palaeosol formation associated with the 1.1 Ga North American Midcontinental Rift. 3: The colonization of the terrestrial environment by primitive organisms following volcanic activity. 4: I am also interested in the evolution of fluvial systems in the geological past, and geochemical changes exhibited by palaeosols across major boundaries, particularly mass extinction events.
Qualifications
- PhD, Royal Holloway, University of London, Earth Science, 2006 - 2010
- MSci Geoscience, Royal Holloway, University of London, Geology, 2002 - 2006
Degrees
Employment history
Non-academic
Assistant Science Technician, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (Saint Thomas More Language College), Science Department, 2012 - 2013
Scanning Electron Facility Manager, Royal Holloway, University of London, 2007 - 2010
Undergraduate demonstrator/teaching assistant, Royal Holloway, University of London, Earth Sciences, 2007 - 2010
Laboratory Research Technician, Royal Holloway, University of London, 2006 - 2007
Rock crushing and assistant laboratory technician, Royal Holloway, University of London, Earth Science, 2006 - 2010
Fieldwork
New Zealand fieldwork
2015 - 2015.
Iceland
2014 - 2014.
South Wales
2013 - 2014.
North Wales
2013 - 2013.
Committees
Other, Postgraduate representitive for the Royal Holloway Earth Science student society (Lyell Society), 2008 - 2009.
Memberships
Member, International Association of Sedimentologists, 2014 - on going.
Council member, 2008 - 2009.
Events
Conference Attendance
Attendee/participant, Workshop, Networking, Professional development, Other, Tomography for Scientific Advancement (ToScA) conference, 2014, (Conference), 2014 - 2014.
Attendee/participant, Networking, Professional development, International Association of Bryologist Conference 2013, (Conference), 2013 - 2013.
Workshop Attendance
Attendee/participant, Workshop, Networking, Professional development, Other, 10th New Phytologist Workshop: Origin and evolution of plants and their interactions with fungi, (Workshop), 2014 - 2014.
Attendee/participant, Workshop, Networking, Professional development, Other, NERC Taxonomic Principles and Tools in Botanical Research workshop, (Workshop), 2014 - 2014.
Publications
Mitchell RL, Sheldon ND (2016) Sedimentary provenance and weathering processes in the 1.1 Ga Midcontinental Rift of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan, USA. Precambrian Research, 275 : 225 - 240. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2016.01.017
Mitchell R (2015, 2 2) Traveling Geologist: Moss and liverwort hunting in Iceland - September 2014. Traveling Geologist
Mitchell R, Mitchell RL, Kenrick P (2014) New analytical approaches for characterising micro-soils and the weathering effect of cryptogamic ground covers. British Sedimentological Research Group (BSRG) Annual General Meeting, 2012 12 - 20 12 12
Mitchell R (2014) https://nhm.academia.edu/RiaMitchell
Mitchell RL, Kenrick P, Pressel S (2014) Micro CT: A new approach for assessing the effect of cryptogamic ground covers on the development of soils.. Linnean Society of London: Palaeobotany Specialist Group Autumn Meeting 2014, 1211 11 - 12 11 11
Mitchell R, Kenrick P (2014) Micro-CT: a new, non-invasive approach to characterizing primitive soils. 9th European Palaeobotany and Palynology Conference, 268 8 - 26 8 8
Mitchell RL, Kenrick P (2014) Micro-CT: a new, non-invasive approach to characterizing primitive soils. 19th International Sedimentological Congress: Sedimentology at the crossroads of new frontiers, 188 8 - 18 8 819th International Sedimentological Congress: Sedimentology at the crossroads of new frontiers (abstract book)
Mitchell RL, Sheldon ND (2010) The ∼1100Ma Sturgeon Falls paleosol revisited: Implications for Mesoproterozoic weathering environments and atmospheric CO2 levels. Precambrian Research, 183 (4) : 738 - 748. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2010.09.003
Mitchell R (2010) Palaeoenvironmental implications of 1.1 Ga palaeosols. PhD Thesis. (Supervisor(s)) Sheldon ND, Collinson ME.
MITCHELL RL, SHELDON N (2009) Weathering and paleosol formation in the 1.1Ga Keweenawan Rift. Precambrian Research, 168 (3-4) : 271 - 283. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2008.09.013
Sheldon ND, Mitchell RL, COLLINSON ME, HOOKER JJ (2009) Eocene-Oligocene transition paleoclimate record from paleosols, Isle of Wight (UK), in C. Koeberl and A. Montanari (eds) The Late Eocene Earth - Hothouse, Icehouse, and Impacts. Geological Society of America Special Papers, 452 : 249 - 260.
Mitchell R (2006) An Interpretation of Palaeoclimate from Palaeosols across the Eocene – Oligocene Boundary on the Isle of Wight. Master's Thesis. (Supervisor(s)) Sheldon ND, Collinson ME.
Sheldon ND, Mitchell RL, Collinson ME, HOOKER JJ (2006) Steady paleoclimatic conditions across the Eocene-Oligocene transition indicated by paleosols on two continents. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 38 :
Mitchell RL, Strullu‐Derrien C, Sykes D, Pressel S, Duckett JG, Kenrick P (2021) Cryptogamic ground covers as analogues for early terrestrial biospheres: Initiation and evolution of biologically mediated proto‐soils. Geobiology, 19 (3) : 292 - 306. doi: 10.1111/gbi.12431
Contributed Publications
Mitchell R (2015, 2 2) Traveling Geologist: Moss and liverwort hunting in Iceland - September 2014. Traveling Geologist
Mitchell R, Hayes P (2014) www.twitter.com/NHMPalaeobotany
Mitchell R (2014) ResearchGate
Sheldon ND, Mitchell RL, Collinson ME, Hooker JJ (2009) Eocene-Oligocene transition paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental record from the Isle of Wight (UK). null, doi: 10.1130/2009.2452(16)
Courses taught
Postgraduate: 'The Geological History of Soils (Palaeosols)' - at NERC Soils and Regolith course: from parent rock to critical resource
2/2015.
Invited and keynote speaker
The Geological History of Soils (Palaeosols), NERC Soils and Regolith: rock to critical resource (course): 25/2/2015.
Linnean Society of London Palaeobotany Specialist Group - Autumn Meeting 2014,
Micro-CT: a new, non-invasive approach to characterizing primitive soils, 9th European Palaeobotany and Palynology Conference: 26/8/2014.
International Association of Sedimentologists - International Sedimentological Congress conference, 2014, 18/8/2014.
Public Engagement
External activities
Blast from the Past, 9/11/20132013 - 2013.
Internal activities
Science Uncovered 2013, 20/9/2013