Development of Genetic Models and Exploration Criteria for Gem and Pegmatite Deposits

宝石和伟晶岩矿床成因模型和勘探标准的开发

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-04917
• 负责人: Groat, Lee
• 金额: $ 2.62万
• 依托单位: University of British Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=717463
• 关键词: Development; Genetic; Models; Exploration; Criteria

Gem deposits are fascinating because the geological conditions needed to produce them are exceptional. I study many types of gem deposits, but pegmatites are particularly interesting because they also produce strategic elements (such as lithium and tantalum). I also study beryl and its gem varietals (emerald and red gem beryl) and borosilicate minerals because they can tell us much about how pegmatites form. Over the past six years my students and I have investigated many gem occurrences in Canada. On Baffin Island we studied sapphire deposits and discovered that they formed by three sequential metamorphic reactions and that the best place to look for new occurrences is close to a thrust fault. Elsewhere in Nunavut (NU), we initiated research on the Anuri emerald occurrence. In British Columbia (BC) we studied a ruby and pink sapphire occurrence and learned that the gems formed at peak metamorphism from muscovite in silicate layers in marble. In the Northwest Territories (NWT) we confirmed that the Lened emerald occurrence is related to magmatic processes and that there is potential for the more valuable Colombian-type emerald deposits. Also in the NWT we have begun studying the origin of gem-tourmaline-bearing pegmatite dikes associated with the O'Grady batholith. In Utah we are studying the origin of red gem beryl; this inspired a comprehensive study of the crystal chemistry of beryl. A study of borosilicate minerals is also in progress. My long-term vision is to help develop a coloured gem industry in Canada; my research program advances this vision by determining how these deposits form and therefore how to make new discoveries. My short-term objectives are to: (1) Develop deposit models from the known occurrences. (2) Develop and test exploration criteria for each type of gem deposit. (3) Determine the origin of the water and the nature of the relationship between water molecules and sodium in beryl and to define the stability limits of beryl. (4) Use boron isotopes in borosilicate minerals to expand our understanding of Earth processes. Define new species and controls on the symmetry and stability of the sakhaite-harkerite series. Proof that a locality has a coloured gem resource would be transformative for communities. Advantages of coloured gem mining are that the industry can be developed on many scales, from the individual who collects rough to large-scale mining, and that it has less environmental impact than other mining. In addition, international recognition of such a resource in northern Canada would strengthen Canadian sovereignty. I will train a diverse group of 10+ highly qualified personnel. I will be conscious of using equitable and inclusive recruitment and mentoring practices through methods such as unconscious bias training and mentoring programs for underrepresented groups. My students learn valuable skills through both field and lab work and are expected to graduate having published at least one scientific paper.

宝石矿床之所以令人着迷，是因为产生它们所需的地质条件非常特殊。我研究了许多类型的宝石矿床，但伟晶岩特别有趣，因为它们也产生战略元素（如锂和钽）。我还研究绿柱石和它的宝石品种（祖母绿和红宝石绿柱石）和硼硅酸盐矿物，因为它们可以告诉我们很多关于伟晶岩形成的信息。 在过去的六年里，我和我的学生在加拿大调查了许多宝石。在巴芬岛，我们研究了蓝宝石矿床，发现它们是由三个连续的变质反应形成的，寻找新矿床的最佳地点是靠近逆冲断层的地方。在努纳武特（NU）的其他地方，我们开始研究Anuri祖母绿的发生。在不列颠哥伦比亚省（BC），我们研究了一个红宝石和粉红色蓝宝石的发生，并了解到，宝石形成在高峰变质作用从白云母在硅酸盐层的大理石。在西北地区（NWT），我们证实了Lened祖母绿的产状与岩浆作用有关，并且有可能发现更有价值的蓝宝石型祖母绿矿床。此外，在西北地区，我们已经开始研究与O 'Grady岩基有关的含宝石电气石伟晶岩脉的起源。在犹他州，我们正在研究红宝石绿柱石的起源;这激发了对绿柱石晶体化学的全面研究。对硼硅酸盐矿物的研究也在进行中。 我的长期愿景是帮助加拿大发展彩色宝石产业;我的研究计划通过确定这些矿床如何形成以及如何进行新的发现来推进这一愿景。 我的短期目标是： (1)根据已知的产状建立存款模型。 (2)制定和测试每种类型的宝石存款的勘探标准。 (3)确定了绿柱石中水的来源和水分子与钠的性质关系，并确定了绿柱石的稳定界限。 (4)使用硼硅酸盐矿物中的硼同位素来扩展我们对地球过程的理解。定义新的物种和对sakhaite-harkerite系列的对称性和稳定性的控制。 证明一个地方有彩色宝石资源将是社区的变革。彩色宝石开采的优势在于，该行业可以在许多规模上发展，从收集毛坯的个人到大规模开采，并且它对环境的影响比其他采矿少。此外，国际上承认加拿大北方的这种资源将加强加拿大的主权。 我将培养一个多元化的10+高素质的人才。我将有意识地使用公平和包容性的招聘和指导做法，通过无意识的偏见培训和指导计划，为代表性不足的群体。我的学生通过实地和实验室工作学习有价值的技能，并预计毕业时至少发表一篇科学论文。