Modelling of complex hydrothermal ore-forming fluids in multi-episodic tectonic terranes

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Ore deposits and their associated alteration haloes are rare and unique geologic occurrences that provide valuable windows through which to observe and document the tectonic and fluid evolution of Earth over a wide range of pressure, temperature and time conditions. Detailed examination of selected deposit types including; epithermal, intrusion-related and shear-zone hosted gold, iron-oxide copper gold, and gemstones (specifically emerald) will be utilized to establish ore deposit models and tectono-metamorphic histories of their host terranes in key areas of the Canadian Cordillera and other comparative orogens. This research will determine the pressures and temperatures of specific mineral equilibria within selected economic and sub-economic ore deposits, using detailed mapping, petrography, thermodynamic equilibria and a variety of modern analytical techniques including scanning-electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron microprobe mineral analyses, fluid inclusion studies, laser-ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, C, O, and S stable isotope analyses. The ages of the ore and host rocks will be determined using geological mapping and radiometric dating techniques such as Ar/Ar, Rb/Sr, Sm/Nd and U/Pb isotope studies where applicable. These data will also provide information pertinent to continental break up and fluid mineralizing hydrothermal fluid events in this tectonic setting. In addition, the development of a novel technique to study fluid inclusion compositions using sonoluminescence and sonochemistry will be undertaken.