Metal Transport and Deposition in Ore-Forming Hydrothermal Fluids

Dear Colleagues，

Hydrothermal fluids control large-scale transport, distribution, and concentration of metals in the Earth’s crust. Evidence for these processes can be found in active geothermal systems and also in deeper fossil systems from the study of veins, fluid inclusions, and alteration mineralogy in ore deposits and metasomatized rocks. Our ability to predict metal concentration and ore formation during the evolution of magmatic–hydrothermal systems depends on our knowledge of the physicochemical properties and the speciation of elements in these fluids, the effects of fluid–rock interaction, and other processes such as boiling and fluid mixing. We invite contributions aimed at evaluating the role of hydrothermal fluids on the behavior of metals in various geological processes (e.g., ore formation and geothermal systems). We envisage this Special Issue covering a range of topics and approaches, starting with geological evidence (alteration mineralogy, fluid inclusions, etc.) and geochemical modeling of fluid-driven processes in natural systems and continuing with fundamental experimental and theoretical research on metal speciation, partitioning, and precipitation processes. We encourage contributions that evaluate the chemistry of these fluids and hydrothermal minerals at elevated temperature and pressure, the partitioning of elements among phases, and the properties of solvents and solutes commonly occurring in nature. We also invite contributions aimed at using geochemical and molecular modeling to predict the chemical properties of fluids and solutes, incorporation of metals and solubility of minerals, their structures, and the nature of solute–solvent interactions at an elevated temperature. Through the integration of these topics, we aim to shed new light on frontier research on fluid-mediated processes that control the mobility of elements and ore deposition in the Earth’s crust.

Dr. Artaches (Artas) Migdisov
Dr. Alexander Gysi
Dr. Weihua Liu
Guest Editors

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