Solid state laser to investigate argon mobility in porous and non porous media

固态激光器研究多孔和非多孔介质中的氩迁移率

• 批准号: RTI-2022-00423
• 负责人: Camacho, Alfredo
• 金额: $ 4.66万
• 依托单位: University of Manitoba
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=743064
• 关键词: Solid; state; laser; investigate; argon

Global tectonics control the cycles of mass transport throughout the Earth driven by fluid-rock interactions in both near-surface environments and deep crust. Fluid-rock interactions directly control the rates of heat and mass transfer, metamorphic reactions, and the formation of mineral deposits in the Earth's crust. Quantification of these processes is difficult because the information is recorded in micron-scale mineral domains that requires specialized analytical equipment and thorough understanding of applicable techniques. Argon dating of potassic minerals is potentially one of the most powerful tools to decipher the timing and rates of such processes operating at temperatures below 500°C (thermochronology). Potassic minerals are ubiquitous in crustal rocks and often associated with crustal-scale shear zones, regions of fluid-rock interaction, and ore deposits. However, the systematics of 40Ar diffusion in such minerals remain largely enigmatic, which limit the application of argon dating and inhibit interpretation of the results. Thus, the requested funds to upgrade the present Excimer thyratron-based laser to an Excimer ATLEX-LR solid state-based laser will be used to explore, through several projects, isotope transport in the rock volume, which is critical for determining the timing of fluid-rock interactions, heat and mass transfer, metamorphic processes, and mineralization in the crust. Results of this research are anticipated to yield both regional and widespread benefits to Canada, such as developing the economic independence of Nunavut through improved access to traditional commodities like carving stone and ensuring Canada's mineral exploration and extraction capabilities are able to excel in a competitive global marketplace. In addition, as the only facility in a tertiary institution in Canada able to perform in-situ argon dating, the new equipment will help train the next generation of thermochronologists.

全球构造控制着由近地表环境和地壳深部的流体-岩石相互作用驱动的整个地球的物质输送循环。流体-岩石相互作用直接控制热量和质量传递速率、变质反应以及地壳中矿床的形成。对这些过程进行量化是困难的，因为信息是在微米级矿物领域记录的，需要专门的分析设备和对适用技术的透彻理解。钾矿的氩定年法可能是破译在500°C以下温度下进行的这些过程的时间和速率的最有力的工具之一（热年代学）。钾质矿物普遍存在于地壳岩石中，通常与地壳剪切带、流体-岩石相互作用区和矿床有关。然而，40 Ar在这些矿物中扩散的系统学仍然很神秘，这限制了氩定年的应用，并抑制了结果的解释。因此，将现有的准分子闸流管激光器升级为准分子ATLEX-LR固态激光器所需的资金将用于通过几个项目探索岩石体积中的同位素迁移，这对于确定地壳中流体-岩石相互作用、热量和质量传递、变质过程和矿化的时间至关重要。这项研究的结果预计将产生区域和广泛的利益，加拿大，如发展努纳武特的经济独立，通过改善获得传统商品，如雕刻石，并确保加拿大的矿产勘探和开采能力能够在竞争激烈的全球市场中脱颖而出。此外，作为加拿大高等院校中唯一能够进行现场氩测年的设施，新设备将有助于培训下一代热年代学家。