My research area encompasses the subjects of mineralogy and petrology in the study of unusual melt chemistries. This research involves investigation into fluorite and calcite melt inclusions trapped within apatite crystals from the Schickler Occurrence and Dwyer Mine, located in Ontario, Canada. We have investigated the textures and variable internal mineral assemblages of melt inclusions, in order to facilitate better understanding of poorly-understood geological deposits known as vein dikes. The fluorite melts present at these localities may represent the only examples of these melts known to have existed in nature, underscoring the importance of our work. Samples were collected directly from the Schickler Occurrence, while material from the Dwyer Mine was purchased by researchers or donated for the project. Apatite samples were embedded within epoxy resin and the resulting pucks were polished to expose the sample for analysis. Samples were investigated using a scanning electron microscope and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-XEDS), for visual and chemical characterization. Many melt inclusions are composed of a singular mineral phase (fluorite or calcite), but some melt inclusions contain a variety of additional minerals. Additionally, when fluorite and calcite are present together within a melt inclusion, the two phases are distinctly separated rather than intermixed. These results and other characteristics of the rocks present at the field sites indicate that there was immiscibility between the calcite and fluorite melts, and these melts were heterogeneous. Based on these results we seek to move forward with further analyses to continue to better characterize these melt inclusions, including utilization of additional analytical techniques to obtain more supporting data. Investigation into these unique deposits has allowed me to further my interests in mineralogy and petrology and develop skills as a capable researcher.
Author: Stephanie Mounce
Faculty Advisor: John Rakovan, Geology and Environmental Earth Science
You must be logged in to post a comment.