Introduction to Fluid Inclusion Studies

Dr. H. Albert Gilg (Technische Universität München, Germany)

Dept. Geology, CICESE,  Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

September 10 - 21, 2001

 

Course Program: Lectures 9:00-11:30  am; Lab exercise 12:30 am - 2:00 pm.

 

Monday, Sept. 10. 

Introduction to fluid inclusion studies

Lecture 1: 

What are fluid inclusions; Informations obtainable from fluid inclusions; philosophy of fluid inclusion studies; Literature; Fluid inclusion formation in nature and experiment

Lab 1:

Sample selection and preparation; How to find fluid inclusions under the microscope.

 

Tuesday, Sept. 11.

Fluid Inclusion Petrography

Lecture 2:

Determination of phases present in fluid inclusions; fluid inclusion assemblages and relations to mineral paragenesis; fluid inclusion plane analysis

Lab 2:

Observation of fluid inclusions; Exercises to fluid inclusion petrography;

 

Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Principles of Microthermometry and Fluid Phase Equilibria in Unary Systems

Lecture 3:

The ideal model of H.C. Sorby: Fluid inclusions as isochoric, isoplethic systems;

Unary systems (H2O, CO2, CH4, ...) : phase diagrams, lever rule.

Lab 3:

Fluid inclusion crushing stage; videos of phase transitions, calculations in unary systems, superdense inclusions

 

Thursday, Sept. 13.

Binary Systems I

Lecture 4:

Theoretical binary system: Analysis of phase equilibria, CO2-CH4

Lab 4:

The heating-freezing stage; videos of phase transition in CO2-CH4; Exercises in binary systems.

 

Friday, Sept. 14

Binary Systems II

Lecture 5:

Phase equilibria in the systems H2O-NaCl and  H2O-CO2

Lab 5:

Practical problems in analysis of H2O-NaCl and H2O-CO2 inclusions, Calculations in the system H2O-CO2; video material; magmatic fluids and porphyry copper systems

 

? Saturday Sept. 15 or Sunday, Sept. 16.:

Excursion to the Fluid Inclusion Laboratory at University of California at Riverside.

 

Monday, Sept. 17

Ternary Systems

Lecture 6:

Phase equilibria in H2O-CO2-NaCl, H2O-NaCl-KCl and H2O-NaCl-CaCl2; Origins and  variability in CHO-fluids and brines: mineral buffering of crustal fluids; redox reactions.

Lab 6:

Videos of phase transitions in complex systems; fluids in salt

 

Tuesday, Sept. 18

Fluid thermodynamics: Equations of state

Lecture 7:

Equations of State: ideal versus real fluid systems; partial pressure; fugacity; activity.

Lab 7:

Computer exercise: calculations of isochores; application and comparison of EOS predictions.

 

Wednesday, Sept. 19

Deviations from the Ideal Model

Lecture 8:

Irreversible changes of composition, volume and density; metastability; re-equilibration.

Lab 8:

Microscopic exercise for recognition and interpretation of re-eqilibration textures

 

Thursday, Sept. 20

Analytical techniques & Presentation of Data

Lecture 9:

Laser-Raman spectroscopy, Electron Microprobe Analysis; ICP-MS, Mass specrometry,...

Analysis of silicate melt inclusions

Lab 9:

Video of silicate melt inclusion studies; Integration and presentation of results from a fluid inclusion study

 

Friday, Sept. 21

Case Studies (optional)

Fluid flow in sedimentary basins with realtion to MVT deposits; Fluid inclusions in porphyry copper-skarn systems; Fluids related to regional metamorphism; ....

 

Final exam