Exploring the Hadean Earth. This research spotlights a globally unique Australian natural resource that preserves the most detailed record of how our planet worked during its formative stages. The project showcases Australian scientific and technical leadership in a field of widespread interest, aids in capturing the imagination of young people considering a career in science and technology, provides training opportunities for young scientists, and enhances the international visibility and pres ....Exploring the Hadean Earth. This research spotlights a globally unique Australian natural resource that preserves the most detailed record of how our planet worked during its formative stages. The project showcases Australian scientific and technical leadership in a field of widespread interest, aids in capturing the imagination of young people considering a career in science and technology, provides training opportunities for young scientists, and enhances the international visibility and prestige of Australian science.Read moreRead less
A Mission to Very Early Earth: When Did Conditions Suitable for Life Emerge on Earth? A uniquely Australian resource - 4.4-4.1 Ga detrital zircons from the Jack Hills (WA) - represent the only tangible record of the Hadean Eon (4.5-4.0 Ga) and potentially contain information regarding the origin of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, continental lithosphere, geodynamo, and perhaps even life, during the earliest stages of Earth evolution. Following age characterization of 100,000 zircons, experiments in ....A Mission to Very Early Earth: When Did Conditions Suitable for Life Emerge on Earth? A uniquely Australian resource - 4.4-4.1 Ga detrital zircons from the Jack Hills (WA) - represent the only tangible record of the Hadean Eon (4.5-4.0 Ga) and potentially contain information regarding the origin of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, continental lithosphere, geodynamo, and perhaps even life, during the earliest stages of Earth evolution. Following age characterization of 100,000 zircons, experiments involving short-lived nuclear chronometers and tracers of continental evolution (Hf and O isotopes) will be undertaken on the most ancient zircons that could both radically our paradigm for early planetary evolution and permit assessment of whether life emerged during the Hadean Eon.Read moreRead less
From Synchrotron Characterisation of Single Fluid Inclusions to Archaean Geodynamics: An Integrated Study of Fluid-Rock Interaction in the Primitive Crust. In the primitive Earth, a wide range of phenomena including the initiation of biological activity and the formation of ore deposits were related to the mobilisation of mineralised fluids through the crust. In the Archaean craton of the Pilbara (WA), we have identified, within its tectonic framework, a crustal-scale plumbing system that channe ....From Synchrotron Characterisation of Single Fluid Inclusions to Archaean Geodynamics: An Integrated Study of Fluid-Rock Interaction in the Primitive Crust. In the primitive Earth, a wide range of phenomena including the initiation of biological activity and the formation of ore deposits were related to the mobilisation of mineralised fluids through the crust. In the Archaean craton of the Pilbara (WA), we have identified, within its tectonic framework, a crustal-scale plumbing system that channelled large volumes of mineralised hydrothermal solutions. Our objective is to understand the development of this plumbing system in relation to Archaean crustal geodynamics using a combination of structural geology, metamorphic petrology, geochronology, geochemistry, and the analysis of single-fluid inclusion using synchrotron and other X-ray sources.Read moreRead less
Resolving the mystery of how rare earth elements are mobilised and concentrated in continental crust. Rare earth elements are regarded as the vitamins for modern industries and technologies. This project will investigate the geological processes that mobilise and concentrate these elements in the Earth's crust. The results will aid discovery of new ore deposits, which is essential to meet rapidly growing demand for these elements.
Resolution of the Pb-diffusion in monazite paradox using a high-temperature contact aureole environment. This research will enhance our understanding of the thermal evolution of ancient mountain belts through time. Australian geoscientists are recognized internationally for their contributions to this field and the result from this study will further enhance our understanding of the evolution of Australia's crust. Because numerous ore deposits throughout Australia are hosted in ancient rocks, ....Resolution of the Pb-diffusion in monazite paradox using a high-temperature contact aureole environment. This research will enhance our understanding of the thermal evolution of ancient mountain belts through time. Australian geoscientists are recognized internationally for their contributions to this field and the result from this study will further enhance our understanding of the evolution of Australia's crust. Because numerous ore deposits throughout Australia are hosted in ancient rocks, documenting the timing of mineralization with respect to the thermal evolution of the host rocks may help to predict the location of mineral deposits in these settings; and each new mineral discovery contributes to the future prosperity of Australia and its communities. Read moreRead less
An experimental study of trace element equilibria during metamorphism. The analytical methods and experimental data to be developed will enable an Australian team to become world leaders in determining pressures and temperatures of mineral growth that correspond to a range of depths and temperature gradients in the Earth tha t is wider than accessible previously. Obtaining this information from small zones within single grains will allow determination of rates of change, and give us a detailed p ....An experimental study of trace element equilibria during metamorphism. The analytical methods and experimental data to be developed will enable an Australian team to become world leaders in determining pressures and temperatures of mineral growth that correspond to a range of depths and temperature gradients in the Earth tha t is wider than accessible previously. Obtaining this information from small zones within single grains will allow determination of rates of change, and give us a detailed picture of how the host rock has evolved, even from very small samples. One application would be checking the origin of relatively common minerals for whether they could be associated with diamonds.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775482
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Ultratrace element and isotope analysis facility. Analysis of trace concentrations of contaminants in food, water and biota is essential for proper environmental and human health protection, and the ability to analyse different isotopes of nutrients will improve our capability to develop techniques to fortify foods with essential micronutrients. The instrumentation will also assist our understanding of the geological processes, climate and environmental change and the formation and location of m ....Ultratrace element and isotope analysis facility. Analysis of trace concentrations of contaminants in food, water and biota is essential for proper environmental and human health protection, and the ability to analyse different isotopes of nutrients will improve our capability to develop techniques to fortify foods with essential micronutrients. The instrumentation will also assist our understanding of the geological processes, climate and environmental change and the formation and location of mineral deposits having economic potential in Australia. By improving forensic identification techniques, the instrumentation will allow identification and tracking of environmental contamination of the food chain and water supplies, and to identify and track criminal and terrorist activity. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100070
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$966,283.00
Summary
Cutting-edge electron probe microanalysis driving Western Australia’s resource geosciences. This project aims to provide a new generation electron microprobe, with advances in trace element mapping and cathodoluminescence analysis to enable superior characterisation of a wide range of materials. The overwhelming demand for electron probe microanalysis from research groups in Western Australia requires renewal of over-subscribed, ageing facilities to drive innovation and alleviate bottlenecks in ....Cutting-edge electron probe microanalysis driving Western Australia’s resource geosciences. This project aims to provide a new generation electron microprobe, with advances in trace element mapping and cathodoluminescence analysis to enable superior characterisation of a wide range of materials. The overwhelming demand for electron probe microanalysis from research groups in Western Australia requires renewal of over-subscribed, ageing facilities to drive innovation and alleviate bottlenecks in advanced geosciences multi-capability workflows. The electron probe will drive underpinning geoscience, resources science and economic geology, as well as support a broad range of disciplines and diverse fields, such as nanotechnology, microelectronics and aquatic sciences.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882493
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
High-accuracy spectroscopy under extreme conditions: combining novel synchrotron and laboratory-based spectroscopy. This project aims at maintaining the leading position of Australia in nationally important fields such as ore and environmental geology, ore processing and metallurgy, nano- and bio-technology. This project aims to establish an integrated set of state-of-the-art, often unique and revolutionary new tools, taking in particular advantage of local innovation in instrumentation and spec ....High-accuracy spectroscopy under extreme conditions: combining novel synchrotron and laboratory-based spectroscopy. This project aims at maintaining the leading position of Australia in nationally important fields such as ore and environmental geology, ore processing and metallurgy, nano- and bio-technology. This project aims to establish an integrated set of state-of-the-art, often unique and revolutionary new tools, taking in particular advantage of local innovation in instrumentation and spectroscopy theory, of the investment in major facilities (Australian Synchrotron). By improving cross-disciplinary links among research groups interested in in-situ spectroscopy (Earth Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedicine, Engineering), this application will results in major scientific and industrial advances.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100095
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
Frontiers in integrated laser-sampled trace-element and isotopic geoanalysis. Until around 2005 Australia was a leader in the coupling of laser-ablation microprobes (LAM) with inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometers (ICPMS) for geochemical research. However, international developments in femtosecond LAM, sector field instruments and novel instrument coupling possibilities have leap-frogged these achievements. The proposed innovative facility will allow us to regain the leading edge in thi ....Frontiers in integrated laser-sampled trace-element and isotopic geoanalysis. Until around 2005 Australia was a leader in the coupling of laser-ablation microprobes (LAM) with inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometers (ICPMS) for geochemical research. However, international developments in femtosecond LAM, sector field instruments and novel instrument coupling possibilities have leap-frogged these achievements. The proposed innovative facility will allow us to regain the leading edge in this field, help maintain the high profile of Australian geoscience internationally, and to attract high-quality researchers and industry-related research funding. The research is relevant to the Deep Earth Resources National Priority and will include projects of direct relevance to mineral exploration and process technology.Read moreRead less