Giacimenti minerari, la loro modellazione e studio dei meccanismi di feedback tra deformazione, flusso di fluidi e metallogenesi

Questa linea di ricerca definisce il ruolo dei fluidi geologici nei processi della crosta terrestre in cui calore e massa sono trasferiti durante la deformazione fragile e duttile e formano giacimenti minerari. Esempi di questo trasferimento sono i reticoli di vene mineralizzate a quarzo-carbonati-oro denominati “giacimenti orogenici” oppure i sistemi geotermici.

Noi valutiamo il ruolo dei fluidi geologici attraverso un approccio su tre fronti:

1.  evidenze di terreno;
2. determinazione delle proprietà fisico-chimiche di inclusioni fluide con diversi metodi analitici;
3. modelli geochimici.

Attraverso la combinazione di questi dati, proviamo a definire i processi a grande scala che controllano il trasferimento di massa, specialmente durante il flusso di fluidi idrotermali nelle faglie.

Pubblicazioni rilevanti :

- Gundlach-Graham, A., Garofalo, P.S., Schwarz, G., Redi, D., Günther, D. (2018): High-resolution, Quantitative Element Imaging of an Upper Crust, Low-angle Cataclasite (Zuccale Fault, Northern Apennines) by Laser Ablation ICP Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research 42, 559-574.

- Mazzarini, F., Musumeci, G., Viola, G., Garofalo, P.S., Mattila, J. (2019): Structural and lithological control on fluid circulation, dilation and ore mineralization (Rio Albano mine, Island of Elba, Italy). Journal of Structural Geology 126, 210-230.

- Neff, C., Keresztes Schmidt, P., Garofalo, P.S., Schwarz, G., Günther, D. (2020): Capabilities of automated LA-ICP-TOFMS imaging of geological samples. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry.

- Viola, G., Torgersen, E., Mazzarini, F., Musumeci, G., Lelij, R., Schönenberger, J., Garofalo, P.S. (2018): New Constraints on the Evolution of the Inner Northern Apennines by K-Ar Dating of Late Miocene-Early Pliocene Compression on the Island of Elba, Italy. Tectonics 37.

- Torgersen, E., Viola, G., Sandstad, J.S., Stein, H., Zwingmann, H. and Hannah, J. (2015): Effects of frictional-viscous oscillations and fluid flow on the structural evolution and Re-Os pyrite-chalcopyrite systematics of Cu-rich carbonate veins in northern Norway. Tectonophysics, 659, 70-90.

- Garofalo P.S., Fricker M.B., Günther D., Bersani D., Lottici P.P. (2014): Physical-chemical properties and metal budget of Au-transporting hydrothermal fluids in orogenic deposits. From: Gold-transporting hydrothermal fluids in the Earth's crust; The Geological Society Special Publication No. 402; Garofalo P.S. and Ridley J.R. (Eds.). 71-102

 - Garofalo P.S., Ridley, J.R. (2014): Gold-transporting hydrothermal fluids in the Earth’s crust: an introduction. From: Gold-transporting hydrothermal fluids in the Earth's crust; The Geological Society Special Publication No. 402; Garofalo P.S. and Ridley J.R. (Eds.). 1-7

- Garofalo P.S. (2011): The composition of Alpine marine sediments (Bündnerschiefer Formation, W Alps) and the mobility of their chemical components during orogenic metamorphism. Lithos, 128-131, 55-72

- Badino G., Calaforra J.M., Forti P., Garofalo P.S., and Sanna L. (2011) The present-day genesis and evolution of cave minerals inside the Ojo de la Reina Cave (Naica Mine, Mexico). International Journal of Speleology, 40 (2), 125-131

- Prokofiev V.Yu., Garofalo P.S., Bortnikov N.S., Kovalenker V.A., Zorina L.D., Grichuk D.V., and Selektor S.L. (2010): Genesis of the gold deposits of the Darasun district (Eastern Transbaykalia, Russia) from a set of fluid inclusion constraints. Economic Geology 105, 395-416

- Garofalo P.S., Fricker M., Günther  D., Mercuri  A.-M., Loreti M., Forti P., and Capaccioni B. (2010): A climatic control on the formation of gigantic gypsum crystals within the hypogenic caves of Naica (Mexico)? Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 289, 560-569

- Eilu, P., Garofalo, P.S., Appel, P.W.U., Heijlen, W. (2006): Alteration patterns in Au-mineralised zones of Storø, Nuuk region – West Greenland. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, pp. 1-73.- Garofalo P.S. (2004a): Mass transfer during gold precipitation within a vertically extensive vein network (Sigma deposit - Abitibi greenstone belt - Canada). Part I. Patterns of hydrothermal alteration haloes. European Journal of Mineralogy, 16(5), 753-760

- Garofalo P.S. (2004b): Mass transfer during gold precipitation within a vertically extensive vein network (Sigma deposit - Abitibi greenstone belt - Canada). Part II. Mass transfer calculations. European Journal of Mineralogy, 16(5), 761-776

- Garofalo P.S., Matthäi S.K., Heinrich C.A. (2002): Three-dimensional geometry, ore distribution, and time-integrated mass transfer through the quartz-tourmaline-gold vein network of the Sigma deposit (Abitibi belt – Canada). Geofluids, 2, 217-232

- Garofalo P.S., Audédat A., Günther D., Heinrich C. A., and Ridley J. (2000): Estimation and testing of standard molar thermodynamic properties of tourmaline end-members using data of natural samples. American Mineralogist, 85, 78-88

- Gianelli G., Mekuria N., Battaglia S., Chersicla A., Garofalo P.S., Ruggieri G., Manganelli M., Gebregziabher Z. (1998): Water-rock interaction and hydrothermal mineral equilibria in the Tendaho geothermal system. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 86(1-4), 253-276