Outcrop scale mixing enhanced by permeability variations: the role of stationary and travelling waves of high saturation indices

To study the ore mineralization at the outcrop scale we merge an advection–diffusion simulation with the geochemical software iphreeqc to model the mixing of two realistic fluids. We simulate the infiltration of a metal-rich fluid into a rock that is saturated with pore fluid. We test the feedback effects with a number of scenarios based on an outcrop-scale 5 × 5 m model consisting of two high-permeable vertical faults within a low-permeable host rock that lead into a permeable layer. The hot metal-rich fluid enters the model through the faults from below. We solve the advection–diffusion equation for 12 chemical species and temperature, and use iphreeqc to determine the resulting properties of local fluid domains as well as related saturation indices for minerals. The faults in the model act as pathways for the metal-rich fluid, with the infiltrating fluid displacing the pore fluid. Mixing in the model takes place as a function of advection along permeable faults coupled with diffusion of chemical species at the interface between two fluids, while heat diffusion is fast enough (103 times faster) to equilibrate temperature. Simulations show a high saturation index of mixing-derived minerals such as barite at the interface between the two fluids as a result of fluid mixing. Fast fluid pathways (i.e. faults) show travelling waves of high saturation indices of barite, while low-permeability zones such as fault walls and areas below less permeable layers experience stationary waves of high saturation indices. Our results show that, depending on the dominant transport process (advection or diffusion), mineralization will localize next to permeability contrasts in zones where local diffusion dominates

Relative rates of fluid advection, elemental diffusion and replacement govern reaction front patterns

Replacement reactions during fluid infiltration into porous media, rocks and buildings are known to have important implications for reservoir development, ore formation as well as weathering. Natural observations and experiments have shown that in such systems the shape of reaction fronts can vary significantly ranging from smooth, rough to highly irregular. It remains unclear what process-related knowledge can be derived from these reaction front patterns. In this contribution we show a numerical approach to test the effect of relative rates of advection, diffusion, and reaction on the development of reaction fronts patterns in granular aggregates with permeable grain boundaries. The numerical model takes (i) fluid infiltration along permeable grain boundaries, (ii) reactions and (iii) elemental diffusion into account. We monitor the change in element concentration within the fluid, while reactions occur at a pre-defined rate as a function of the local fluid concentration. In non-dimensional phase space using Péclet and Damköhler numbers, results show that there are no rough fronts without advection (Péclet10−3). As advection becomes more dominant and reaction slower, roughness develops across several grains with a full microstructure mimicking replacement in the most extreme cases. The reaction front patterns show an increase in roughness with increasing Péclet number from Péclet 10 to 100 but then a decrease in roughness towards higher Péclet numbers controlled by the Damköhler number. Our results indicate that reaction rates are crucial for pattern formation and that the shape of reaction fronts is only partly due to the underlying transport mechanism

Zebra rocks: Compaction waves create ore deposits

© 2017 The Author(s). Nature has a range of distinct mechanisms that cause initially heterogeneous systems to break their symmetry and form patterns. One of these patterns is zebra dolomite that is frequently hosting economically important base metal mineralization. A consistent generic model for the genesis of these periodically banded rocks is still lacking. In this contribution, we present for the first time a fully consistent mathematical model for the genesis of the pattern by coupling the reactive fluid-solid system with hydromechanics. We show that visual banding develops at a given stress and host-rock permeability indicating that the wavelength and occurrence of the pattern may be predictable for natural settings. This finding offers the exciting possibility of estimating conditions of formation of known deposits as well as forecasting potential exploration targets

A critical discussion of the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) method to determine stress orientations within the crust

In recent years, the ElectroMagnetic Radiation (EMR) method has been used to detect faults and to determine main horizontal stress directions from variations in intensities and directional properties of electromagnetic emissions, which are assumed to be generated during micro-cracking. Based on a large data set taken from an area of about 250 000 km2 in Northern Germany, Denmark, and Southern Sweden with repeated measurements at one location during a time span of about 1.5 yr, the method was systematically tested. Reproducible observations of temporary changes in the signal patterns, as well as a strongly concentric spatial pattern of the main directions of the magnetic component of the EMR point to VLF transmitters as the main source and hence raise serious concerns about the applicability of the method to determine recent crustal stresses. We conclude that the EMR method, at its current stage of development, does not allow determination of the main horizontal stress directions

A critical discussion of the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) method to determine stress orientations within the crust

In recent years, the ElectroMagnetic Radiation (EMR) method has been used to detect faults and to determine main horizontal stress directions from variations in intensities and directional properties of electromagnetic emissions, which are assumed to be generated during micro-cracking. Based on a large data set taken from an area of about 250 000 km2 in Northern Germany, Denmark, and Southern Sweden with repeated measurements at one location during a time span of about 1.5 yr, the method was systematically tested. Reproducible observations of temporary changes in the signal patterns, as well as a strongly concentric spatial pattern of the main directions of the magnetic component of the EMR point to VLF transmitters as the main source and hence raise serious concerns about the applicability of the method to determine recent crustal stresses. We conclude that the EMR method, at its current stage of development, does not allow determination of the main horizontal stress directions