Understanding the formation, movement, and host-rock interaction of upper crustal aqueous fluids on Earth, from rock grain to tectonic plate scale
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Earth and Environmental Sciences
Abstract
Fluids play a critical role in the evolution and chemical modification of the Earth's crust. They control heat and mass transfer, mineral reactions, and
deformation processes. The movement and physio/chemical interaction of aqueous geofluids with rocks in the Earth's upper crust is thereby
fundamental for critical raw material mineralisation and the formation of geothermal fluid flow systems. With the rapidly increasing global demand
for raw materials, the EU faces significant challenges regarding its dependencies on access to raw materials. Fluid movement in the upper crust is, by
its nature, controlled by an interaction of physical and chemical processes that can operate from the tectonic plate to the microscopic 'rock grain'
scales. Fully understanding these complex systems inherently requires a multidisciplinary/multiscale approach using cutting edge structural geology,
mineralogy/petrology, geochemical and geophysical tools. ForMovFluid proposes to adopt new and existing laboratory and field techniques in these
geoscience sub-disciplines to address key knowledge gaps related to fluid flow drivers, pathways, and fluid/rock reactions. In doing so, the objective
of ForMovFluid is to train 15 doctoral researchers in cutting edge geoscience field and laboratory techniques and broader professional skills to
develop future leaders in the field. This will contribute significantly to addressing the climate emergency by developing novel solutions for the energy
transition that hinges on enhanced access to hydrothermal-hosted critical metal deposits, as highlighted in the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. The
aims of ForMovFluid are to further our understanding of the movement and physio/chemical interaction of aqueous fluids with rocks in a variety of
tectonic settings in the Earth's upper crust, and to establish a long-term pan-sector research network that will go on to contribute to European geofluid
research and to underpin Europe's raw material and geothermal sectors.
deformation processes. The movement and physio/chemical interaction of aqueous geofluids with rocks in the Earth's upper crust is thereby
fundamental for critical raw material mineralisation and the formation of geothermal fluid flow systems. With the rapidly increasing global demand
for raw materials, the EU faces significant challenges regarding its dependencies on access to raw materials. Fluid movement in the upper crust is, by
its nature, controlled by an interaction of physical and chemical processes that can operate from the tectonic plate to the microscopic 'rock grain'
scales. Fully understanding these complex systems inherently requires a multidisciplinary/multiscale approach using cutting edge structural geology,
mineralogy/petrology, geochemical and geophysical tools. ForMovFluid proposes to adopt new and existing laboratory and field techniques in these
geoscience sub-disciplines to address key knowledge gaps related to fluid flow drivers, pathways, and fluid/rock reactions. In doing so, the objective
of ForMovFluid is to train 15 doctoral researchers in cutting edge geoscience field and laboratory techniques and broader professional skills to
develop future leaders in the field. This will contribute significantly to addressing the climate emergency by developing novel solutions for the energy
transition that hinges on enhanced access to hydrothermal-hosted critical metal deposits, as highlighted in the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. The
aims of ForMovFluid are to further our understanding of the movement and physio/chemical interaction of aqueous fluids with rocks in a variety of
tectonic settings in the Earth's upper crust, and to establish a long-term pan-sector research network that will go on to contribute to European geofluid
research and to underpin Europe's raw material and geothermal sectors.
