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Magmatism, Metamorphism and Mineralisation: The Development of an Isotopic and Geochemical Framework for the Curnamona Cu-Au Province. Recent advances have highlighted the potential significance of the Olary Domain in the Curnamona Province in southern Australia as an important Proterozoic copper-gold district. However, an outstanding problem yet to be solved is the interplay between mineralisation, granitic magmatism and the metamorphic history of the Province. This multi-disciplinary project ....Magmatism, Metamorphism and Mineralisation: The Development of an Isotopic and Geochemical Framework for the Curnamona Cu-Au Province. Recent advances have highlighted the potential significance of the Olary Domain in the Curnamona Province in southern Australia as an important Proterozoic copper-gold district. However, an outstanding problem yet to be solved is the interplay between mineralisation, granitic magmatism and the metamorphic history of the Province. This multi-disciplinary project will use isotopic and geochemical tools to develop an integrated geologic framework within which to view mineralisation. The outcomes will enhance the prospectivity of the region and make an important contribution to the globally relevant question of controls on Proterozoic copper-gold systems.Read moreRead less
Physical and Chemical Constraints of Fluid Activated Processes During the Polyphase Tectonic Evolution of the Olary Domain, S.A. The Olary Domain, eastern South Australia, underwent several phases of deformation and metamorphism. These events mobilised fluids leading, amongst other features, to the formation of breccia bodies and mineral deposits. The complex nature of the geological evolution of the region obscures relationships of fluid migration to the structural history. Fluid inclusion stud ....Physical and Chemical Constraints of Fluid Activated Processes During the Polyphase Tectonic Evolution of the Olary Domain, S.A. The Olary Domain, eastern South Australia, underwent several phases of deformation and metamorphism. These events mobilised fluids leading, amongst other features, to the formation of breccia bodies and mineral deposits. The complex nature of the geological evolution of the region obscures relationships of fluid migration to the structural history. Fluid inclusion studies and stable isotope analyses combined with structural analyses on micro to macro scales shall establish links between the thermal and structural evolution of the area. This will provide insigth into the scale and physico-chemical characteristics of fluids and mineralising processes an relate these to the tectono-thermal history.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
Toward the use of metal stable isotopes in geosciences. Metal stable isotopes (MSI: Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga) have enormous potential applications (basic and applied) in Geosciences and beyond. However the use of these elements as geochemical tracers and petrogenetic tools requires: (1) the definition of their isotopic composition in Earth key reservoirs and in reference materials such as the chondritic meteorites; (2) Understanding and quantification of the causes of MSI fractionations during geolog ....Toward the use of metal stable isotopes in geosciences. Metal stable isotopes (MSI: Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga) have enormous potential applications (basic and applied) in Geosciences and beyond. However the use of these elements as geochemical tracers and petrogenetic tools requires: (1) the definition of their isotopic composition in Earth key reservoirs and in reference materials such as the chondritic meteorites; (2) Understanding and quantification of the causes of MSI fractionations during geological processes. By a unique combination of in-situ and solution geochemical analytical techniques avaliable now through frontier technology and method development we aim to establish a conceptual and theoretical framework for the use of MSI in Geosciences.Read moreRead less
Experimental constraints on Platinum-Group Element geochemistry: developing lithogeochemical exploration tools for nickel-sulfides in mafic and ultramafic systems. Nickel contributes approximately $2 billion per year to Australia's export income. Currently 80% of that is coming from sulfide deposits, which are expected to be exhausted within thirty years barring significant new discoveries. Discovery rates have been declining for two decades, as the 'easy' targets have been found, despite a broa ....Experimental constraints on Platinum-Group Element geochemistry: developing lithogeochemical exploration tools for nickel-sulfides in mafic and ultramafic systems. Nickel contributes approximately $2 billion per year to Australia's export income. Currently 80% of that is coming from sulfide deposits, which are expected to be exhausted within thirty years barring significant new discoveries. Discovery rates have been declining for two decades, as the 'easy' targets have been found, despite a broad increase in nickel exploration expenditure to current levels of around $50 million per year. There is a pressing need for new data sets and techniques to allow industry to target new discoveries based on limited drill sampling of potential host rocks. This project forms part of a broader program to harness the igneous geochemistry of the platinum group elements as a powerful pathfinder in nickel exploration.Read moreRead less
Advancing diamond exploration - novel techniques for the interpretation of indicator minerals. Diamond production is an important industry in Australia, with a total export value in 2004-05 of $650 million. Most of this production comes from the Argyle Mine in Western Australia, which may be nearing the end of its productivity. Therefore, there is a need to reinvigorate exploration for diamond in Australia, in order for new and significant deposits to be discovered. The outcomes of this proposal ....Advancing diamond exploration - novel techniques for the interpretation of indicator minerals. Diamond production is an important industry in Australia, with a total export value in 2004-05 of $650 million. Most of this production comes from the Argyle Mine in Western Australia, which may be nearing the end of its productivity. Therefore, there is a need to reinvigorate exploration for diamond in Australia, in order for new and significant deposits to be discovered. The outcomes of this proposal will provide diamond exploration companies with improved mineralogical tools to assess the likely diamond grade of parts of the lithosphere sampled by kimberlite or lamproite magmas, thus better directing exploration strategies.Read moreRead less
Sedimentary phosphorites as geochemical sponges: trace element scavenging, the chemical evolution of seawater and an innovative method for dating sediments. Ancient sedimentary phosphorite is the major source of commercial phosphate in Australia and East Asia. This project will lead to economic and environmental benefits to Australia by providing the minerals industry with the tools to target purer phosphate, thus improving resource estimations and minimising the environmental impact of trace me ....Sedimentary phosphorites as geochemical sponges: trace element scavenging, the chemical evolution of seawater and an innovative method for dating sediments. Ancient sedimentary phosphorite is the major source of commercial phosphate in Australia and East Asia. This project will lead to economic and environmental benefits to Australia by providing the minerals industry with the tools to target purer phosphate, thus improving resource estimations and minimising the environmental impact of trace metal burdened fertiliser. The study will enhance our understanding of the nature and timing of key moments in Earth history and could serve as a launchpad for future studies on the use of phosphate for environmental remediation. We hope to provide exciting opportunities for Australian postgraduates through cutting edge research in partnership with both homespun and international academic collaborators.Read moreRead less
Rates of metamorphic processes - correlating U-Pb ages with the pressure-temperature conditions of mineral growth. To determine the speed of metamorphic processes, the age obtained from accessory uranium-bearing minerals will be correlated to pressure and temperature obtained from major rock forming minerals. I will develop a new and innovative technique that uses trace element geochemistry to provide this link. The trace element partitioning between datable minerals (zircon, monazite and titani ....Rates of metamorphic processes - correlating U-Pb ages with the pressure-temperature conditions of mineral growth. To determine the speed of metamorphic processes, the age obtained from accessory uranium-bearing minerals will be correlated to pressure and temperature obtained from major rock forming minerals. I will develop a new and innovative technique that uses trace element geochemistry to provide this link. The trace element partitioning between datable minerals (zircon, monazite and titanite) and key metamorphic minerals will be investigated in natural samples and in piston cylinder experiments. I will apply this technique to the study of processes such as the exhumation of eclogites in subduction zones and the duration of granulite-facies metamorphism in lower crustal rocks.Read moreRead less
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
Groundwater in the southeast Murray Basin: Developing an integrated hydrogeological model and predicting future changes. Agricultural and urban development increases demands on groundwater resources. The sustainable use of groundwater requires a thorough knowledge of hydrogeology. This project addresses the origins, age, and geochemical evolution of groundwater in the Murray Basin, in particular constraining groundwater flow patterns, aquifer-aquitard interaction, water-rock interaction, and gro ....Groundwater in the southeast Murray Basin: Developing an integrated hydrogeological model and predicting future changes. Agricultural and urban development increases demands on groundwater resources. The sustainable use of groundwater requires a thorough knowledge of hydrogeology. This project addresses the origins, age, and geochemical evolution of groundwater in the Murray Basin, in particular constraining groundwater flow patterns, aquifer-aquitard interaction, water-rock interaction, and groundwater-surface water interactions both under present day and previous climatic conditions. The results of this project will ensure that this groundwater resource can be more effectively used and managed sustainably over the long term. In particular, historical responses of the system will be used to predict the effects of landuse or climate changes.Read moreRead less