DEEP-SEA HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS AND MINERAL DEPOSITS

The discovery of hydrothermal fields on the seafloor was one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the last century not only for the earth sciences but also for the life sciences. These systems are oasis of life in the otherwise inconspicuous seafloor where vents emanate hot fluids rich in metals that are used as an energy source by unique and spectacular vent-associated organisms. For this reason, the study of hydrothermal systems may provide clues on diverse topics such as how live can thrive in extreme and toxic conditions or how potential ore resource are formed. Our research on seafloor hydrothermal systems aims to understand the genesis, evolution and distribution of hydrothermal deposits in the deep-sea. It is mainly focused in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) and in the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR). The main goals of this research are: to understand the contribution of mafic and ultramafic rocks on the deposition of hydrothermal ore deposits; to contribute with the development of tools for the detection of SMS deposits either active and discrete, diffuse and inactive; to contribute for the geochemical and mineralogical characterization of deep-seafloor deposits both on active and discrete hydrothermal; to understand the role of  sub-seafloor ore-forming hydrothermal systems on the preservation of sulphide minerals.

Projects
– SeaMin – In-situ trace elemental and isotopic constraints on modern seafloor massive sulfide mineralization – 现代海底块状硫化物成矿作用的原位微量元素和同位素限制 FDCT File No.: 0041/2021/A1, 2021-2024 (Principal Investigator)
– SWIMAR– The role of ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal systems in the formation of seafloor deposits: comparison between SWIR and MAR fields / 超基性岩系海底熱泉系統於海床熱液礦床扮演之角色:以 SWIR 及 MAR 熱泉系統相互比較為例
– InterRidge WG – Working Group on Seafloor Massive Sulfides along Mid-Ocean Ridges
– BLUE MINING – Breakthrough Solutions for the Sustainable Exploration and Extraction of Deep Sea Mineral Resources.