Carbon and Hydrogen in Melts and Fluids in Planetary Interiors. The Australian community will benefit by the ownership of widely used high impact research in published earth science. This research defines the melting behaviour of silicate-rich materials (terrestrial planets, rocky-moons, meteorites) within the solar system. The research will be required for interpretation of Martian samples and will help to ensure that Australian laboratories participate in 21st Century investigations of the Sol ....Carbon and Hydrogen in Melts and Fluids in Planetary Interiors. The Australian community will benefit by the ownership of widely used high impact research in published earth science. This research defines the melting behaviour of silicate-rich materials (terrestrial planets, rocky-moons, meteorites) within the solar system. The research will be required for interpretation of Martian samples and will help to ensure that Australian laboratories participate in 21st Century investigations of the Solar System by virtue of their leading roles in understanding volcanism and melting behaviour at high pressures and under variable oxidation states. The research will address a national priority in sustainability of earth resources i.e. knowledge underpinning formation of Australian mineral resources.Read moreRead less
Experimental and natural constraints on trace element and volatile recycling in subduction zones. The results of this project will provide important constraints on the differentiation of Earth, which ultimately leads to the concentration of elements suitable for mining. Trace element and volatile recycling in subduction zones is an integral part of the research theme 'Journey to the centre of the Earth' which has been identified as a key project (4.4) in the national strategic plan for geoscienc ....Experimental and natural constraints on trace element and volatile recycling in subduction zones. The results of this project will provide important constraints on the differentiation of Earth, which ultimately leads to the concentration of elements suitable for mining. Trace element and volatile recycling in subduction zones is an integral part of the research theme 'Journey to the centre of the Earth' which has been identified as a key project (4.4) in the national strategic plan for geosciences. CO2 recycling in subduction zones is crucial for our understanding of the long-term greenhouse gas variations on Earth. The ANU is one of the world-leading research institutions in experimental petrology and geochemistry, and the outcomes of this project will ensure that Australia remains at the forefront in these disciplines.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL130100066
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,187,712.00
Summary
Understanding the Earth: a perspective from the science of advanced materials. The study of the properties of naturally occurring minerals and magmas under extreme conditions of high temperature and pressure is needed, for understanding the geological processes responsible for our mineral wealth. The same methods can also lead to improved design of new materials required for technological applications.
The copper-gold fertility of mountain belts. This project aims to identify the timing of, and understand the causes of, sulphide saturation in granitic suites to test the hypothesis that sulphide saturation controls the fertility of copper-gold deposits. More than half of the world’s copper and gold comes from granitic rocks, but most granitic suites are barren. As copper-gold deposits become increasingly difficult to find, and exploration budgets have been slashed, it is critical to reliably di ....The copper-gold fertility of mountain belts. This project aims to identify the timing of, and understand the causes of, sulphide saturation in granitic suites to test the hypothesis that sulphide saturation controls the fertility of copper-gold deposits. More than half of the world’s copper and gold comes from granitic rocks, but most granitic suites are barren. As copper-gold deposits become increasingly difficult to find, and exploration budgets have been slashed, it is critical to reliably distinguish ore bearing from barren systems. Platinum group element geochemistry could make this distinction by pinpointing the timing of sulphide saturation in evolving magma systems. Eliminating barren suites as exploration targets will save Australia’s exploration dollars which can be directed to where the prospects of success are greatest.Read moreRead less
An experimental exploration of silicate melt therrmodynamics. The chemical properties of magmas are the key to understanding igneous activity in the Earth, and hence the tectonic significance of magmatism, and the mineral resources resulting from past magmatism. The chemistry of magmas is also a determining factor in assessing the hazards associated with volcanic eruptions, including natural inputs into the atmosphere against which anthropogenic inputs causing climate change must be assessed. Th ....An experimental exploration of silicate melt therrmodynamics. The chemical properties of magmas are the key to understanding igneous activity in the Earth, and hence the tectonic significance of magmatism, and the mineral resources resulting from past magmatism. The chemistry of magmas is also a determining factor in assessing the hazards associated with volcanic eruptions, including natural inputs into the atmosphere against which anthropogenic inputs causing climate change must be assessed. This research program will measure experimentally the way different magma compositions affect the solubilites of important volatile and trace-element components in magmas, providing the much-needed fundamental data to model magmatic activity.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100169
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,206.00
Summary
Redox evolution of basaltic magmas. The project aims to contribute to our understanding of the redox state (the oxidation and reduction of chemicals) of the Earth’s mantle and how it changes in space and time. The redox state of the Earth’s mantle controls the valency of elements such as iron and the speciation of volatiles (eg hydrogen, carbon and sulphur) that degas from volcanoes and ultimately make up the atmosphere. This project aims to quantify the changes in redox state experienced by var ....Redox evolution of basaltic magmas. The project aims to contribute to our understanding of the redox state (the oxidation and reduction of chemicals) of the Earth’s mantle and how it changes in space and time. The redox state of the Earth’s mantle controls the valency of elements such as iron and the speciation of volatiles (eg hydrogen, carbon and sulphur) that degas from volcanoes and ultimately make up the atmosphere. This project aims to quantify the changes in redox state experienced by various types of basaltic magmas. The outcomes of the project could help us to model the transport of metals in magmas and predict ore deposits, and assess the nature and relative contributions of volatiles that degas from volcanoes.Read moreRead less
Dynamic permeability and the evolution of fluid pathways in fracture-controlled hydrothermal systems. This project will advance knowledge of how fracture-controlled fluid flow at depth in the Earth influences the strength and mechanical behaviour of the crust, earthquake processes, and the formation of hydrothermal ore systems. Fundamental new knowledge of the dynamic variations in fluid transport properties and flow distribution in deep fracture networks also will have application for understan ....Dynamic permeability and the evolution of fluid pathways in fracture-controlled hydrothermal systems. This project will advance knowledge of how fracture-controlled fluid flow at depth in the Earth influences the strength and mechanical behaviour of the crust, earthquake processes, and the formation of hydrothermal ore systems. Fundamental new knowledge of the dynamic variations in fluid transport properties and flow distribution in deep fracture networks also will have application for understanding hydrocarbon migration in fractured reservoirs, controls on seal integrity in geosequestration projects, and for geothermal energy production from hot, fractured rock. The project will develop international collaboration and train young scientists in applying multidisciplinary approaches to exploring fluid systems in the Earth's crust.Read moreRead less
Properties of hydrous fluids and silicate melts at very high temperatures and pressures. High-temperature, high-pressure, water-rich fluids play a central role in many geological processes. However, these fluids are extremely difficult to characterise: although their effects are evident in many rocks, the fluids themselves are too reactive to be preserved. Here several novel techniques are described for studying the compositions and thermodynamic properties of hydrous fluids and silicate melts o ....Properties of hydrous fluids and silicate melts at very high temperatures and pressures. High-temperature, high-pressure, water-rich fluids play a central role in many geological processes. However, these fluids are extremely difficult to characterise: although their effects are evident in many rocks, the fluids themselves are too reactive to be preserved. Here several novel techniques are described for studying the compositions and thermodynamic properties of hydrous fluids and silicate melts over a wide range of geologically relevant conditions. The results of this study will greatly improve the understanding of geological processes as widely diverse as volcanism, ore deposition and metamorphism.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
The high temperature geochemistry of the precious metals. Many commercially valuable elements including platinum and gold are extracted from magmas into sulphide melts under some conditions whose nature is poorly understood. The proposed research will make the first reliable measurements of the factors controlling the ability of sulphide melts to extract a range of sulphur-loving elements from magmas. The results will not only aid the search for new deposits of precious metals, but will provide ....The high temperature geochemistry of the precious metals. Many commercially valuable elements including platinum and gold are extracted from magmas into sulphide melts under some conditions whose nature is poorly understood. The proposed research will make the first reliable measurements of the factors controlling the ability of sulphide melts to extract a range of sulphur-loving elements from magmas. The results will not only aid the search for new deposits of precious metals, but will provide fundamental knowledge for use in such diverse disciplines as extractive metallurgy and planetary geochemistry.Read moreRead less