Fluid Inclusions

Thanks to an award from the Canadian Fund for Innovation and the Ontario Innovation Trust to Dr. Hollings the Department has been able to establish a state-of-the-art Microanalytical Geology's microanalytical facility in use while under construction. Facility for fluid inclusion analysis.

The microanalytical research facility is a modern, clean petrographic facility for applied and pure research into the genesis of both igneous rocks and ore deposits. The facility includes two Olympus BX2M microscopes and a Linkham MDS 600 motorized stage system, which in conjunction with an automated heating/freezing system allows for rapid, high precision analyses of fluid inclusions in transparent minerals. In addition an infra red video camera system will be used for the analysis of fluid inclusions in opaque minerals. The microanalytical facility is also equipped with a high resolution digital camera system, image analysis software and computer processing system for the capture and analysis of mineral images.

The facility is being used by faculty, researchers and students. Research undertaken at the microanalytical research facility has already contributed to a publication in the journal Geology detailing the discovery of the impact ejecta from the impact that at Sudbury ~1.8 billion years ago. Click here for more details of this exciting research. The equipment was also used by Masters student Geoff Heggie. Geoff's research on the PGE-bearing Seagull intrusion contributed to a major investment in the intrusion by Platinum Group Metals.

In addition to the above research the fluid inclusion facility is currently undertaking contract work for a number of local mining companies. Individuals or companies interested in undertaking fluid inclusion studies at the facility should contact Dr. Pete Hollings.