Description:
This PhD project investigates the role of marine silicate alteration in the formation of sediment-hosted critical metal deposits. Marine silicate weathering and dissolution–precipitation processes are increasingly recognised as key drivers of marine elemental cycling, influencing the mobilisation and concentration of minor and trace metals in sedimentary environments.
Key research questions include:
- What are the sources, timing, and mechanisms of REE and V enrichment in marine authigenic clays and phosphates?
- How do mineralogical and geochemical characteristics differ between ancient sediment-hosted deposits and modern marine analogues?
- What is the role of aluminosilicate dissolution and metal-isotope systematics (e.g. Nd, V) in tracing metal sources and pathways?
Benefits:
This project will advance understanding of how marine silicate alteration contributes to the formation of sediment-hosted critical metal deposits, including REE-phosphate and vanadium-shale systems. The findings will inform new exploration models for sedimentary critical metal resources, improve predictive frameworks for metal enrichment processes, and support sustainable resource discovery in marine-influenced sedimentary basins.
Photo” Marine authigenic clay grains forming by alteration and replacement of detrital aluminosilicate sediments on the eastern Pacific margin. Selective element uptake/ exclusion during this process leads to the mobilisation and, potentially, enrichment of critical metals formerly hosted by the detrital material.’
