NSERC grants at Laurentian University Subventions du CRSNG `a l ...

77C. Michael LesherDynamic processes in magmatic NI-Cu-(PGE) depositsA grant of $41,560 per year.Une subvention de 41 560 $ par année.Discovery Grant – Subvention à la découverteThe long-term objective of the research programis to develop geological, genetic, and exploration modelsfor nickel-copper-platinum group element depositsby integrating geological, stratigraphic, volcanological,microscopic, geochemical, and isotopic studies of theores and associated rocks with mathematical models.The short-term objectives of the research program areto study a variety of deposits of this type in Ontario,Quebec, Brazil, China, and Western Australia. Directevidence for thermomechanical erosion will be studied in glacially polishedpavements of extremely well-preserved thermal erosion channels. Geochemicaland isotopic compositions of the ores, the molten rocks they formedfrom, and fragments of incorporated wall rocks will be studied using newlydeveloped, multi-component mass balance expressions that better accountfor decoupling of elements and isotopes in dynamic systems. Mathematicalfluid dynamic models will be used to evaluate fluidization of unconsolidatedsediments and volcaniclastic rocks during thermomechanical erosion. 3DDataMine R○ models of ore zones at Sudbury will be combined with mathematicalmodels to evaluate sulfide fractionation processes from a mass aswell as geochemical standpoint. Mine exploration data will be visualized intrue 3D using the Laurentian University 3D Immersion Data VisualizationTheatre.