In the Driver's seat: role of trace elements in enabling crustal fluid flow. This proposal aims to systematically investigate the role of trace elements in controlling the kinetics, product composition, and feed-back between fluid flow and the reaction interface, in fluid-driven mineral reactions. This project expects to provide a framework for the integration of activator trace elements in models of crustal fluid flow and their application in the recovery of base, precious, and critical metals, ....In the Driver's seat: role of trace elements in enabling crustal fluid flow. This proposal aims to systematically investigate the role of trace elements in controlling the kinetics, product composition, and feed-back between fluid flow and the reaction interface, in fluid-driven mineral reactions. This project expects to provide a framework for the integration of activator trace elements in models of crustal fluid flow and their application in the recovery of base, precious, and critical metals, using interdisciplinary approaches across geochemistry, mineral engineering and material sciences. Expected outcomes include improved prediction of the transport of metals and fluids in geo-systems. This should provide significant benefits towards integrating the mineral value chain from exploration to mining and metallurgy.Read moreRead less
Aqueous fluids in the deep earth. This project aims to improve our understanding of the role of fluids in controlling exchanges between the deep Earth, shallow rocks, and atmosphere. The project expects to investigate some of the key weaknesses in the thermodynamic models that are used to predict the behaviour of sulphur, carbon and metals in fluids at high pressure and temperature by using recent advances in computational and experimental (geo)chemistry. Integrated in large-scale geodynamic mod ....Aqueous fluids in the deep earth. This project aims to improve our understanding of the role of fluids in controlling exchanges between the deep Earth, shallow rocks, and atmosphere. The project expects to investigate some of the key weaknesses in the thermodynamic models that are used to predict the behaviour of sulphur, carbon and metals in fluids at high pressure and temperature by using recent advances in computational and experimental (geo)chemistry. Integrated in large-scale geodynamic models, the more reliable predictions will provide a more realistic assessment of the role of sulphur in controlling metal endowment and atmospheric chemistry through geological times. This should provide a useful guide for mineral exploration and planetary science.Read moreRead less
Nature's mechanisms for leaching and remobilising metals. This project aims to understand the chemical and physical processes that govern reactive transport and metal scavenging in rocky environments. Much of Australia's mineral wealth is the result of the interaction of warm fluids with rocks deep in the Earth over geological timescales. The formation of ore deposits is governed by the physical chemistry of mineral dissolution and crystallisation, and by fluid flow through porous rocks and frac ....Nature's mechanisms for leaching and remobilising metals. This project aims to understand the chemical and physical processes that govern reactive transport and metal scavenging in rocky environments. Much of Australia's mineral wealth is the result of the interaction of warm fluids with rocks deep in the Earth over geological timescales. The formation of ore deposits is governed by the physical chemistry of mineral dissolution and crystallisation, and by fluid flow through porous rocks and fractures. This project integrates innovation in geology, chemistry, and mineral engineering, and will deliver mineral-scale reaction models that will increase efficiency of in-situ mining and leaching technologies. Knowledge generated can be applied to improve mineral exploration, mining, and processing, contributing to unlocking billions of dollars’ worth of resources tied up in low grade, mineralogically complex ores.Read moreRead less
Diamonds – Time Capsules of Ancient Mantle Volatiles and the Key to Dynamic Earth Evolution. This project aims to reconcile the radically different views on the structure of the Earth’s mantle, based on geochemical (mostly noble gas) and geophysical data. This objective will be addressed through innovative noble gas analyses of well-characterised diamond samples, including gem-stones used for previous dating studies. In combination with carbon isotopic results, this information will be used to c ....Diamonds – Time Capsules of Ancient Mantle Volatiles and the Key to Dynamic Earth Evolution. This project aims to reconcile the radically different views on the structure of the Earth’s mantle, based on geochemical (mostly noble gas) and geophysical data. This objective will be addressed through innovative noble gas analyses of well-characterised diamond samples, including gem-stones used for previous dating studies. In combination with carbon isotopic results, this information will be used to constrain the structure and temporal/spatial evolution of the Earth’s mantle. A related outcome will be an improved understanding of the mantle source regions of diamonds and diamond formation.Read moreRead less
The Role of Water in Precambrian Ultramafic Magmatism: Insights from an In-Situ Microbeam and Nanobeam Assessment of Hydromagmatic Amphibole. Hydromagmatic amphibole in some Precambrian (>600 million years old) komatiites and other ultramafic rocks in Australia, Canada and Russia indicates >3% water in the parental magmas. This magmatic water could be crustal or mantle in origin. Constraints on the water source would profoundly impact concepts of Precambrian crustal evolution and water recycling ....The Role of Water in Precambrian Ultramafic Magmatism: Insights from an In-Situ Microbeam and Nanobeam Assessment of Hydromagmatic Amphibole. Hydromagmatic amphibole in some Precambrian (>600 million years old) komatiites and other ultramafic rocks in Australia, Canada and Russia indicates >3% water in the parental magmas. This magmatic water could be crustal or mantle in origin. Constraints on the water source would profoundly impact concepts of Precambrian crustal evolution and water recycling. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide constraints on the role of water in early Earth magmatism, through in situ microbeam and nanobeam analysis of the amphibole to produce an integrated trace element and isotopic dataset for geologically and chemically diverse types of Precambrian ultramafic rocks.Read moreRead less
The molecular record in extraordinarily preserved plants and insects. This project aims to unlock a hidden record of our planet’s past and the life it supported, using a novel approach with benefits for environment and industry. Fossilised soft tissues of plants and insects preserved in sedimentary concretions will be analysed, extending the traditional inorganic fossil framework of major evolutionary events. Understanding the biofilm entombment and preservation mechanisms responsible for this u ....The molecular record in extraordinarily preserved plants and insects. This project aims to unlock a hidden record of our planet’s past and the life it supported, using a novel approach with benefits for environment and industry. Fossilised soft tissues of plants and insects preserved in sedimentary concretions will be analysed, extending the traditional inorganic fossil framework of major evolutionary events. Understanding the biofilm entombment and preservation mechanisms responsible for this unique organic fossil archive will extend our knowledge of microbial functionality. Expected outcomes are a new way for interpreting our planet’s past, with improved understanding of extinction, disease, environmental change and consequent adaptation of plants and insects. Read moreRead less