Crustal-Scale Fluid Flow in Deep Intracontinental Settings: Conditions, Sources and Deformational Responses. Fluids are important agents of heat and mass transport in the Earth's crust. They play a key role in the mobilisation of metals and as such play a crucial role in the generation of ore deposits. The outcomes of this project will result in a greater understanding of the mechanisms and sources of fluid generation and mobilisation in deep-crustal settings. These outcomes can be related direc ....Crustal-Scale Fluid Flow in Deep Intracontinental Settings: Conditions, Sources and Deformational Responses. Fluids are important agents of heat and mass transport in the Earth's crust. They play a key role in the mobilisation of metals and as such play a crucial role in the generation of ore deposits. The outcomes of this project will result in a greater understanding of the mechanisms and sources of fluid generation and mobilisation in deep-crustal settings. These outcomes can be related directly to the understanding of the controls on the transport and deposition of metals and hence the formation of mineral resources which are vital to maintaining a strong Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Advancing Mineral Exploration Models for Orogenic Gold Deposits. This interdisciplinary project links geochemistry with crustal-scale fluid migration, aiming to improve mineral exploration success for orogenic gold deposits. In doing so, it intends to provide a more holistic view of gold deposit genesis. This project plans to focus on the Victorian goldfields, which have world-class historic gold production, an existing seismic transect, and a geologic setting that will address key problems in g ....Advancing Mineral Exploration Models for Orogenic Gold Deposits. This interdisciplinary project links geochemistry with crustal-scale fluid migration, aiming to improve mineral exploration success for orogenic gold deposits. In doing so, it intends to provide a more holistic view of gold deposit genesis. This project plans to focus on the Victorian goldfields, which have world-class historic gold production, an existing seismic transect, and a geologic setting that will address key problems in gold deposit genesis. A series of modelling techniques will be used to marry structural and geochemical aspects of gold deposit formation at a scale that has not been previously attempted.Read moreRead less
The structure and geochemistry of mineral interfaces in Earth's mantle. The interfaces between mineral grains are critical in determining rock properties and behaviour, yet we know little about them. This project uses emerging nano-technologies to establish the structure, chemistry and energy characteristics of interfaces in rocks from Earth’s mantle that control fundamental Earth processes such as plate tectonics and melting. The expected outcomes include a new understanding on one of the funda ....The structure and geochemistry of mineral interfaces in Earth's mantle. The interfaces between mineral grains are critical in determining rock properties and behaviour, yet we know little about them. This project uses emerging nano-technologies to establish the structure, chemistry and energy characteristics of interfaces in rocks from Earth’s mantle that control fundamental Earth processes such as plate tectonics and melting. The expected outcomes include a new understanding on one of the fundamental controls on rock properties and an enhanced ability to predict and model rock behaviour. The project provides research training in innovative research methodologies, will strengthen Australia’s leadership in nano-geoscience and will provide new methodologies for advanced rock characterisation.Read moreRead less
The Effects of Crystal-Plastic Deformation on Zircon Geochemical Systems. This project establishes the significance of deformation-related fast-diffusion pathways on the zircon geochemical system and develops intragrain compositional variations as new tools for tracking geological processes. The unique application of zircon to constrain geological processes in numerous Earth Science disciplines over 4.4 billion years of Earth history ensures that results will have far-reaching impact in the Aust ....The Effects of Crystal-Plastic Deformation on Zircon Geochemical Systems. This project establishes the significance of deformation-related fast-diffusion pathways on the zircon geochemical system and develops intragrain compositional variations as new tools for tracking geological processes. The unique application of zircon to constrain geological processes in numerous Earth Science disciplines over 4.4 billion years of Earth history ensures that results will have far-reaching impact in the Australian and International Earth Science community. As such this project will maintain Australia's leading international reputation in accessory mineral research.Read moreRead less
Biogeochemical characterisation of Archaean microfossils, biomarkers and organic matter: Probing the nature and diversity of early life on Earth. Recognizing biological signatures in ancient rocks poses the single greatest challenge to our understanding of the origin and evolution of life. This Project will use new advanced technology to reveal when and where life first appeared and assess its impact on the environment, atmosphere and climate. Results are essential for understanding the transfor ....Biogeochemical characterisation of Archaean microfossils, biomarkers and organic matter: Probing the nature and diversity of early life on Earth. Recognizing biological signatures in ancient rocks poses the single greatest challenge to our understanding of the origin and evolution of life. This Project will use new advanced technology to reveal when and where life first appeared and assess its impact on the environment, atmosphere and climate. Results are essential for understanding the transformation of our planet into a suitable habitat for humankind. The work will place Australia among world leaders in one of the most exciting topics of current scientific research, raising Australia's reputation in this high profile and competitive field. The Project tackles profound questions and seeks to attract, inspire and train future scientists in an ideal location and research environment.Read moreRead less
Investigation of the early history of the moon. The project will address outstanding questions related to the early evolution of planets in the solar system, including the earth, by investigating major events that took place on the moon, where the record of early history is preserved exceptionally well. It will test major models describing the chemical evolution of both the moon and earth.
Nanoscale repositories of the geological record of Earth and other planets. Rhenium-Osmium (Re-Os) dating is used widely to infer Earth's evolution, but most samples are hydrated, with consequent mobility of Re, which is problematic for interpretation of isotope results. This project will solve this problem by determining the effects of hydration on Re and Os. Further, our knowledge of the mobility of Re and related elements will allow us to recognise rocks that once interacted with water, even ....Nanoscale repositories of the geological record of Earth and other planets. Rhenium-Osmium (Re-Os) dating is used widely to infer Earth's evolution, but most samples are hydrated, with consequent mobility of Re, which is problematic for interpretation of isotope results. This project will solve this problem by determining the effects of hydration on Re and Os. Further, our knowledge of the mobility of Re and related elements will allow us to recognise rocks that once interacted with water, even after that water has gone, providing a tool to read the record of Earth's earliest oceans. Our new methods will enable Re-Os dating with clarity and confidence, with profound implications for understanding of Earth and extra-terrestrial planetary evolution.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100150
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
A Digital Mineralogy & Materials Characterisation Hub for Petrology, Mineralogy, Exploration, Metallurgy and Reservoir Characterisation Research. A digital mineralogy and materials characterisation hub for petrology, mineralogy, exploration, metallurgy and reservoir characterisation research: This project will establish a digital mineralogy and materials characterisation hub for applications in petrology, geometallurgy, reservoir characterisation, environmental science, soil science, mineral pro ....A Digital Mineralogy & Materials Characterisation Hub for Petrology, Mineralogy, Exploration, Metallurgy and Reservoir Characterisation Research. A digital mineralogy and materials characterisation hub for petrology, mineralogy, exploration, metallurgy and reservoir characterisation research: This project will establish a digital mineralogy and materials characterisation hub for applications in petrology, geometallurgy, reservoir characterisation, environmental science, soil science, mineral processing and extractive metallurgy research. An automated mineral analysis instrument would complement the mineral separation (selFrag HV pulse fragmentation) and microanalytical facilities (SHRIMP/Cameca ion microprobes and ELA-ICP-MS) available to the participants via the John de Laeter Centre for Isotope Research. The instrument and software package making up the FEI QEMSCAN 650F model is the most advanced configuration on the market, and ideally suited for the high level research projects undertaken by the partner institutions. Read moreRead less