An overview of hydrodynamic studies of mineralization  

作　　者：Guoxiang Chi Chunji Xue 

机构地区：[1]Department of Geology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S OA2 Canada [2]State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China

出　　处：《Geoscience Frontiers》2011年第3期423-438,共16页地学前缘（英文版）

基　　金：supported by an NSERC-Discovery grant to Chi.Additional supports came from NSFC(41072069, 40772061 and 40930423);State Basic Research Plan (2009CB421005);IRT(0755) ;111 Plan(B07011)

摘　　要：Fluid flow is an integral part of hydrothermal mineralization, and its analysis and characterization constitute an important part of a mineralization model. The hydrodynamic study of mineralization deals with analyzing the driving forces, fluid pressure regimes, fluid flow rate and direction, and their relationships with localization of mineralization. This paper reviews the principles and methods of hydrodynamic studies of mineralization, and discusses their significance and limitations for ore deposit studies and mineral exploration. The driving forces of fluid flow may be related to fluid overpressure, topographic relief, tectonic deformation, and fluid density change due to heating or salinity variation, depending on specific geologic environments and mineralization processes. The study methods may be classified into three types, megascopic （field） observations, microscopic analyses, and numerical modeling. Megascopic features indicative of significantly overpressured （especially lithostatic or supralithostatic） fluid systems include horizontal veins, sand injection dikes, and hydraulic breccias. Microscopic studies, especially microthermometry of fluid inclusions and combined stress analysis and microthermometry of fluid inclusion planes （FIPs） can provide important information about fluid temperature, pressure, and fluid-structural relationships, thus constraining fluid flow models. Numerical modeling can be carried out to solve partial differential equations governing fluid flow, heat transfer, rock deformation and chemical reactions, in order to simulate the distribution of fluid pressure, temperature, fluid flow rate and direction, and mineral precipitation or dissolution in 2D or 3D space and through time. The results of hydrodynamic studies of mineralization can enhance our understanding of the formation nrocesses of hvdrothermal denosits, and can be used directly or indirectly in mineral exnloration.Fluid flow is an integral part of hydrothermal mineralization, and its analysis and characterization constitute an important part of a mineralization model. The hydrodynamic study of mineralization deals with analyzing the driving forces, fluid pressure regimes, fluid flow rate and direction, and their relationships with localization of mineralization. This paper reviews the principles and methods of hydrodynamic studies of mineralization, and discusses their significance and limitations for ore deposit studies and mineral exploration. The driving forces of fluid flow may be related to fluid overpressure, topographic relief, tectonic deformation, and fluid density change due to heating or salinity variation, depending on specific geologic environments and mineralization processes. The study methods may be classified into three types, megascopic （field） observations, microscopic analyses, and numerical modeling. Megascopic features indicative of significantly overpressured （especially lithostatic or supralithostatic） fluid systems include horizontal veins, sand injection dikes, and hydraulic breccias. Microscopic studies, especially microthermometry of fluid inclusions and combined stress analysis and microthermometry of fluid inclusion planes （FIPs） can provide important information about fluid temperature, pressure, and fluid-structural relationships, thus constraining fluid flow models. Numerical modeling can be carried out to solve partial differential equations governing fluid flow, heat transfer, rock deformation and chemical reactions, in order to simulate the distribution of fluid pressure, temperature, fluid flow rate and direction, and mineral precipitation or dissolution in 2D or 3D space and through time. The results of hydrodynamic studies of mineralization can enhance our understanding of the formation nrocesses of hvdrothermal denosits, and can be used directly or indirectly in mineral exnloration.

关 键 词：Fluid flow HYDRODYNAMICS MINERALIZATION Hydraulic fracturing Numerical modeling EXPLORATION 

分 类 号：P618.510.5[天文地球—矿床学] O351.2[天文地球—地质学]