Research Projects

Accessory minerals, such as radioactive phases like uraninite, monazite, zircon, and xenotime, are crucial for understanding the geochemical processes that have shaped Earth. The continuous alpha decay of U-Th from radioactive minerals stimulates partial-complete metamictization, resulting in volume expansion and swelling of the crystal lattice. This metamictization leads to radial cracks or fractures in the mineral surrounding the radioactive mineral, which can mobilize dissolved elements and precipitate secondary virgin phases in damaged radiohalo zones. These fractures can result in an alteration halo/aureole, which can be used to understand the chronological evolution of hydrothermal fluids and the controlled localization of alteration associated with mobilization/remobilization of strategic and critical minerals. The proposed proposal aims to integrate petrological, mineralogical, and geochemical studies of accessory minerals from the samarkiya area, including Rare Earth Elements (REE), to create a comprehensive inventory of U-Th-Y-Zr-REEs. This will help understand the role of alteration in the geochemical distribution of U-Th-Y-Zr-REEs, test possible hydrothermal fluids responsible for this distribution, and examine the role of metamictization induced alteration in host radioactive phases and its effect on chemical and isotopic dating. The research aims to identify accessory minerals and associated U-Y-REE-bearing ore minerals, their micron-scale textures, and the mobilization/remobilization of these elements by later hydrothermal fluids, which has both economic and societal implications.