Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100053
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,000.00
Summary
An AZtec electron backscatter diffraction facility for state-of-the-art quantitative microstructural analysis. Establishing a state-of-the-art quantitative microstructural analysis facility will provide critical infrastructure to compliment existing high-spatial resolution microanalytical techniques and facilitate pure and applied research in the geoscience over the next decade.
Exploration potential and implications for stress transfer modelling in fault-related mineral deposits. Following our success in the application of stress transfer modelling (STM) techniques to understand the clustered distribution of upper crustal, Archean gold deposits within crustal scale fault systems, this project seeks to test and develop the application of STM in (1) gold systems formed below the crustal seismogenic regime, (2) for deposit-scale targeting, and (3) in a range of fault-re ....Exploration potential and implications for stress transfer modelling in fault-related mineral deposits. Following our success in the application of stress transfer modelling (STM) techniques to understand the clustered distribution of upper crustal, Archean gold deposits within crustal scale fault systems, this project seeks to test and develop the application of STM in (1) gold systems formed below the crustal seismogenic regime, (2) for deposit-scale targeting, and (3) in a range of fault-related mineral deposits other than Archaean gold systems. The project will also develop methods to evaluate the combined roles of co-seismic stress transfer and post-seismic fluid redistribution in influencing deposit distribution. The approach provides a new conceptual framework in which to develop exploration strategies for deep earth resources.Read moreRead less
Geological applications of synchrotron radiation: magmas, fluids, ores and minerals. This project will use the Australian synchrotron facility to study magmas and minerals to improve our understanding of the formation of ore-deposits and the evolution of the continents.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100095
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,000.00
Summary
High-resolution X-ray micro computed tomography supporting West Australian geo-, physical and biological science. An X-ray micro computed tomography facility will provide West Australian researchers with much needed access to cutting-edge instrumentation for high-resolution three-dimensional imaging. This facility will support major research programs in key disciplines, including minerals and mining, energy, medical and biological sciences.
Continents in the Mantle Transition Zone? Sediment Recycling and the Geochemical Fertilization of the Deep Mantle. Because of its intrinsic compositional buoyancy, continental crust has traditionally been considered to be unsubductable in the denser underlying mantle. Yet some ocean island basalts carry a geochemical signature of recycled continental material in their plume source in the deep mantle. This project will reconcile this paradox through high-pressure experiments that will simulate su ....Continents in the Mantle Transition Zone? Sediment Recycling and the Geochemical Fertilization of the Deep Mantle. Because of its intrinsic compositional buoyancy, continental crust has traditionally been considered to be unsubductable in the denser underlying mantle. Yet some ocean island basalts carry a geochemical signature of recycled continental material in their plume source in the deep mantle. This project will reconcile this paradox through high-pressure experiments that will simulate subduction of continental sediments into the deep mantle. These experiments will provide the first empirical constraints on the role of sediment-derived fluids in mantle metasomatism and the origin of economically-rich potassic magmas, and the nature of the ultrarefractory continental component that ultimately reaches the plume source for ocean-island basalts.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.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560956
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$397,100.00
Summary
World-leading elemental and isotopic microanalysis and chemical speciation facilities for an environmentally sustainable Australia. We propose to establish a world-leading centre for the study of the elemental and isotopic composition of key environmental, archaeological and mineral samples. This will be based upon ultra-short wavelength laser ablation and speciation methods, combined with new advanced ICP-MS technologies developed in Australia. This will give the centre unrivalled capabilities ....World-leading elemental and isotopic microanalysis and chemical speciation facilities for an environmentally sustainable Australia. We propose to establish a world-leading centre for the study of the elemental and isotopic composition of key environmental, archaeological and mineral samples. This will be based upon ultra-short wavelength laser ablation and speciation methods, combined with new advanced ICP-MS technologies developed in Australia. This will give the centre unrivalled capabilities and allow new areas of research to be undertaken in global climate change, the impact of increased salinity and pollution on the sustainability of Australia's inland waterways and coastal environments, and the history of the first humans who inhabited Australia. This will provide a baseline and new quantitative measures to better plan for an environmentally sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Sulfide Partial Melting at Broken Hill: Process and Implications. Based entirely on experimental studies, we suggested that the sulfide ore at Broken Hill, N.S.W., partially melted during granulite-facies metamorphism. Our subsequent discovery of sulfide melt inclusions in silicates associated with the ore strongly supports this assertion. This proposed research will evaluate the extent of melting and the composition of such a melt as well as the effect of this melt on the rocks surrounding the ....Sulfide Partial Melting at Broken Hill: Process and Implications. Based entirely on experimental studies, we suggested that the sulfide ore at Broken Hill, N.S.W., partially melted during granulite-facies metamorphism. Our subsequent discovery of sulfide melt inclusions in silicates associated with the ore strongly supports this assertion. This proposed research will evaluate the extent of melting and the composition of such a melt as well as the effect of this melt on the rocks surrounding the ore. The results of this basic research will not only impact on Broken Hill genetic models specifically, but could profoundly effect our understanding of metamorphic and magmatic sulfide deposits globally.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668100
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
High Resolution Simultaneous DSC/DTA-TGA-FTIR System. National Research Priorities including 'New Materials' 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries' and 'Developing Deep Earth Resources' will all be addressed and the benefits will include new materials such as carbon nanotubes and layered silicate composites. It will also contribute economically through technological development, supporting existing Australian companies in the development of more effective pro ....High Resolution Simultaneous DSC/DTA-TGA-FTIR System. National Research Priorities including 'New Materials' 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries' and 'Developing Deep Earth Resources' will all be addressed and the benefits will include new materials such as carbon nanotubes and layered silicate composites. It will also contribute economically through technological development, supporting existing Australian companies in the development of more effective products and help keep pace with new and innovative advances in technology and to bring in vitality to strategic alliances with industry already launched by the University through a Sustainable Regions Program grant titled 'Building nanotechnology business potential in the Campbelltown-Camden region'.Read moreRead less
Biosphere, hydrocarbon and ore fluid interactions in the Early Precambrian. Ore deposits and petroleum are important for economic and social areas of Australia's growth. New discoveries are needed to maintain Australia's wealth as mines reach the end of operations and petroleum supplies decrease. This project will demonstrate how ore fluids and hydrocarbons interact in the geological environment. It should, therefore greatly expand the conceptual framework in which to explore for both mineral an ....Biosphere, hydrocarbon and ore fluid interactions in the Early Precambrian. Ore deposits and petroleum are important for economic and social areas of Australia's growth. New discoveries are needed to maintain Australia's wealth as mines reach the end of operations and petroleum supplies decrease. This project will demonstrate how ore fluids and hydrocarbons interact in the geological environment. It should, therefore greatly expand the conceptual framework in which to explore for both mineral and hydrocarbon resources, particularly in old, deep and hot basins, which are considered to be the last frontiers of exploration. Outcomes concerning the nature of early life will be of global interest.Read moreRead less