Huizenga, J.M., and Parker, A.G. (2017) Hydrothermal Au mineralisation caused by fluid decompression and cooling in dilatational cavities. In: EGRU Contribution (69) p. 57. From: FUTORES II Conference: future understanding of tectonics, resources, environment and sustainability, 4-7 June 2017, Townsville, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

It has been demonstrated that numerous hydrothermal mineralised (Au) quartz veins are related to seismic faulting (Wilkinson and Johnston, 1996; Weatherly and Henley, 2013). Dilatational cavities created during seismic faulting will result in (1) rapid fluid flow from the host rock into the cavities and (2) instantaneous fluid decompression under near-adiabatic and near-isenthalpic conditions (Fig. 1). Adiabatic-isenthalpic decompression of the fluid can either result in fluid heating or cooling (Fig. 1). Calculations demonstrate that for an initial lithostatic fluid pressures of 3-4 kbar and an initial fluid temperature ranging between 400 and 500°C, a CO2-bearing aqueous fluid has the ability to cool more than 100°C during decompression. The decrease in temperature will reduce the metal solubility largely due to its effect on the sulphur and oxygen fugacity.

Item ID:	54657
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
ISBN:	978-0-9954470-3-5
Keywords:	hydrothermal Au mineralisation
Related URLs:	https://www.jcu.edu.au/futores
Date Deposited:	24 Jul 2018 02:26
FoR Codes:	04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0402 Geochemistry > 040299 Geochemistry not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes:	84 MINERAL RESOURCES (excl. Energy Resources) > 8401 Mineral Exploration > 840105 Precious (Noble) Metal Ore Exploration @ 100%
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