Exploration targeting from next-generation volcanic facies reconstruction. The project aims to develop new innovative image analysis techniques to reconstruct the architecture of the volcanic host at four highly prospective hydrothermal-magmatic ore deposits, and investigate the properties of rocks that favour high-grade ore mineralisation. Expected outcomes of this project include next-generation automated techniques for volcanic facies analysis, and predictions of where hydrothermal alteration ....Exploration targeting from next-generation volcanic facies reconstruction. The project aims to develop new innovative image analysis techniques to reconstruct the architecture of the volcanic host at four highly prospective hydrothermal-magmatic ore deposits, and investigate the properties of rocks that favour high-grade ore mineralisation. Expected outcomes of this project include next-generation automated techniques for volcanic facies analysis, and predictions of where hydrothermal alteration is most prospective for mineralisation. Both outcomes are relevant to the discovery of volcanic-hosted mineralisation globally. This project will provide significant benefit to the Australian mining industry by diversifying ore exploration strategies in the Australian crust, and will train the next generation of explorers.Read moreRead less
Middle Age Earth: ocean chemistry and evolution in the Boring Billion. This project aims to investigate the role of ocean chemistry on the evolution of eukaryotes during the “Boring Billion” (1800-800 million years ago) and how sedimentary rocks record past ocean chemistry, by using innovative geochemical proxies. This project expects to generate new knowledge in geochemistry, sedimentology and paaleo-biology using interdisciplinary approaches. Expected outcomes include a quantitative understand ....Middle Age Earth: ocean chemistry and evolution in the Boring Billion. This project aims to investigate the role of ocean chemistry on the evolution of eukaryotes during the “Boring Billion” (1800-800 million years ago) and how sedimentary rocks record past ocean chemistry, by using innovative geochemical proxies. This project expects to generate new knowledge in geochemistry, sedimentology and paaleo-biology using interdisciplinary approaches. Expected outcomes include a quantitative understanding of the formation of sedimentary rocks, and of the links between evolution and marine nutrient and metal abundance. This should provide significant benefits, such as understanding the formation and alteration of ore-bearing sedimentary rocks and how life has evolved during Earth's Middle Age.Read moreRead less
Oxygenation history of the Earth and the evolution of complex life. This project will investigate how and when the atmosphere became oxygen-rich by analyzing ancient barrier reefs and other rocks that formed between 1000 to 300 million years ago, spanning the appearance and diversification of animals and plants. The project is significant because the buildup of oxygen in the atmosphere was arguably the most important chemical process ever to have occurred on Earth and controlled the evolution of ....Oxygenation history of the Earth and the evolution of complex life. This project will investigate how and when the atmosphere became oxygen-rich by analyzing ancient barrier reefs and other rocks that formed between 1000 to 300 million years ago, spanning the appearance and diversification of animals and plants. The project is significant because the buildup of oxygen in the atmosphere was arguably the most important chemical process ever to have occurred on Earth and controlled the evolution of environments, climate and life. A major outcome will be an improved understanding of how the Earth's atmosphere and climate are regulated by geological processes. This project will generate new knowledge about how sedimentary zinc, lead and copper ore deposits form, which may guide exploration for these commodities.Read moreRead less
Banded iron formations: life, oxygen and ocean chemistry. This project aims to investigate the co-evolution of life and environments during Earth’s first two billion years using iron-rich chemical sediments deposited from global oceans. The project expects to generate knowledge of Earth’s transition into a planet habitable for complex life by combining nanoscale characterisation techniques, with laboratory experiments and theoretical modelling. Expected outcomes include transformative ideas abou ....Banded iron formations: life, oxygen and ocean chemistry. This project aims to investigate the co-evolution of life and environments during Earth’s first two billion years using iron-rich chemical sediments deposited from global oceans. The project expects to generate knowledge of Earth’s transition into a planet habitable for complex life by combining nanoscale characterisation techniques, with laboratory experiments and theoretical modelling. Expected outcomes include transformative ideas about the role of life in iron and phosphorus cycles, the chemistry of the early ocean, ancient biological productivity, the antiquity of oxygenic photosynthesis and the rise of oxygen. The project will also deliver new conceptual models for the formation of the host-rocks for most of the world’s iron resources, improving how we explore for iron in the Earth’s crust. This should provide benefits to understanding geobiology on Earth and other planets.Read moreRead less
Eruption dynamics and tsunami potential from submarine volcanoes. This project is based on recently acquired seafloor samples and geophysical data from extraordinary deposits at a modern submarine volcano. This project aims to determine the conditions that lead to explosive eruption underwater, the dynamics of associated sediment flows, and if these events can trigger tsunami. Expected outcomes include an unprecedented reconstruction of the architecture of submarine caldera volcanoes, new innova ....Eruption dynamics and tsunami potential from submarine volcanoes. This project is based on recently acquired seafloor samples and geophysical data from extraordinary deposits at a modern submarine volcano. This project aims to determine the conditions that lead to explosive eruption underwater, the dynamics of associated sediment flows, and if these events can trigger tsunami. Expected outcomes include an unprecedented reconstruction of the architecture of submarine caldera volcanoes, new innovative models applicable globally for a richer understanding of volcanic tsunami and eruptions that shape the seafloor. This project will provide significant benefits through mitigation of global marine natural hazards, and by improving knowledge on the volcanic hosts of ore deposits.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100988
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
The oxygenation of Earth’s early marine ecosystems. This project aims to map out the complex evolution of the Earth’s ocean ecosystems and oxygenation using marine carbonates. The oxygenation of Earth’s surface is one of the most profound processes to shape the planet, affecting all biological and geological systems. However, uncertainties remain in the timing of oxygenation and how it relates to the evolution of life. This project will develop our understanding of how Earth has remained habitab ....The oxygenation of Earth’s early marine ecosystems. This project aims to map out the complex evolution of the Earth’s ocean ecosystems and oxygenation using marine carbonates. The oxygenation of Earth’s surface is one of the most profound processes to shape the planet, affecting all biological and geological systems. However, uncertainties remain in the timing of oxygenation and how it relates to the evolution of life. This project will develop our understanding of how Earth has remained habitable through significant intervals of environmental change. Using the geology of Australia, and elsewhere, this project is expected to derive the oxygenation evolution of ancient seawater and its effect on reef ecosystems during critical intervals of Earth’s history.Read moreRead less