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General Research Interest

​​​My general research field is petrology and geochemistry, with particular interest in metamorphic geology, hydrothermal fluid-rock interaction, and critical mineral geology. I investigate how trans-crustal processes link with surface environment and critical mineralization. For example, the cartoon to the right or below (depending on your devices) shows magma and hydrothermal fluids interacting with existing carbonate rocks in an arc setting. The interaction forms calc-silicate (skarn) and marble contact aureoles, releasing CO2. This proecess could drive long-term (> 1 Ma) climate variation and regulate global carbon cycle.

 

Hydrothermal fluid also contributes to the formation of critical mineral deposits (e.g., Mn, Cu, Au, Ni). Therefore, I am also developing cross-disciplinary projects that leverage cutting-edge techniques to investigate the rates and processes of critical mineralization, driving scientific progress with industrial implications (see an example below).

Instead of specializing in a single analytical method, I employ a wide range of tools, including extensive fieldwork, petrographic analysis, in-situ techniques (EPMA, SEM, LA-ICP-MS), fluid inclusion analysis, multiple thermobarometry, thermodynamic modeling, and more.​

Previous & Current Research

As shown in the figure to the right/below, my work focuses on understanding processes related to arc magma-carbonate interaction at different depth of arc.

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Previous research: shallow arc settings (Tibetan arc):

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  1. Phase relations in metacarbonate rocks. [Under review in J. Metamorphic Geol.]​

  2. Timescale vs. magnitude of carbon liberation. [Link]​

  3. Factors controlling the extend of fluid-rock reactions in contact aureoles. [Link]

Current research: deep arc settings (the Sierra Nevada arc):

 

  1. Metamorphic pressures of metacarbonate wallrocks across the Sierra Nevada Batholith.​

  2. The fate of metamorphic CO2 and global carbon cycle.

    An NSF grant proposal has been recommended for funding (me as the co-PI)

A Glimpse of Future Work

I will develop multidisciplinary collaborative research, using the advanced technique of metamorhic geology, to solve questions related to critical mineral geology.

 

Depending on the locality of my permanent position, possible avenues include:

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Critical mineral geology:

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  1. Quantifying the rate of critical mineralization (e.g., Engels Copper Mine [now classified as an IOCG deposit], Plumas County, California, US; IOA & IOCG deposit in Adirondack Highlands, New York, US; NICO and Sue-Dianne Deposits at the Greater Bear magmatic zone of the Canadian Shield, Canada).

  2. Exploring how fluid transport dynamics control critical ore mineralization (field sites mentioned above).

  3. Massive Manganese (Mn) ore mineralization (the largest Mn ore series in Asia).

 

Metamorphic geology:

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  1. Understanding the effect of fluid wetting properties on magmatism, metamorphism, magmatic critical mineral formation.

  2. Calibrating thermobarometry for ugrandite garnets.

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Interdisciplinary project (Integrating metamorphic geology, environmental science and economic geology):

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  1. Understanding the environmental responses to the enhanced metamorphic outgassing in the Proterozoic (Southeastern Ontario, Canada);

  2. ​Exploring how the formation of skarns links to the critical mineralization in the Grenville Orogeny, Canada.

Interdisciplinary.png

Example: As a science advisor, I supported an industry-based team that successfully prospected Asia’s largest Mn ore deposits. The prospecting method was established assuming Mn ore forms in reponse to hydrothermal activities (Figure below). While this model proved effective, it still lacks essential scientific validation. Future interdisciplinary research will help bridge scientific understanding and industrial applications.

Zhou et al., 2024 (In prep) for Economic Geology

Modified after Zhou et al., 2022 OGR

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