Master theses / Diploma theses

Fluid inclusions are small volumes of paleofluids trapped in minerals which provide indispensable information about geological processes, occurred during crystalizing. These inclusions are trapped gases, liquids or crystals.
In 2014 the world production of Zn and Pb was 13.3 Mt and 5.46 Mt, respectively. Sulfidic Pb-Zn deposits are one of the most important sources for Pb, Zn. Furthermore, minor elements associated with these ore-types such as Cu, Ag, Au, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Be, Se and Te are often exploited as by-product. For example, these deposits contribute 31.7 % of the world’s Ag production. The biggest producing Pb-Zn deposit in Russia at present time, Gorevskoe is located on the south bank of the Angara River, 250 km north of Krasnoyarsk. The deposit is rated among the 5 largest producers of Pb- and Zn- concentrates in the world with an actual production of 2.5 Mt per year. The ore bodies are hosted by mainly clastic and subordinate carbonate rocks of the Central Angara terrane. Major ore mineral are Galena, Sphalerite and pyrrhotite, with minor pyrite, marcasite, boulangerite-bournonite, jamesonite and arsenopyrite.

The study of fluid inclusions in minerals reveal geologically important information such as temperature, pressure, salinity, density and depth of trapping; and thereby providing direct information about the conditions at which given minerals and rocks are formed.

The aim of this theses is to obtain a wealth of information on the geofluids that influenced the petrogenesis of rocks. Studying fluid inclusions in quartz and sphalerite provides important information of temperature, pressure, density, salinity and composition of fluids. This parameters together with detailed textural and mineralogical analyses will help to develop a consistent genetic model of the deposit.
For this reason following analytical technics are going to be used:

• Optical microscopy (@TU BAF)
• Cathodoluminescence microscopy (@TU BAF)
• Fluid inclusion petrography and microthermometry (@TU BAF)
• Raman spectroscopy (@HZDR)

The project will be performed in close collaboration with TU Bergakademie Freiberg, the oldest existing mining university in the world and Helmholtz-Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF) at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf.

• You study geosciences, mineralogy.
• You are interested in mineralogical and analytical problems
• You are interested in modern analytical techniques
• You show initiative and good teamwork skills

start: immediately
workplace: Freiberg