The larger, first part of this project will consist of solubility measurements at elevated temperatures and pressures of complexes of mercury, tellurium, copper, gold, iron, silver, nickle, cobalt, zinc and lead. The second part applies previous solubility data to develop an improved understanding of ore depositing processes. The sequences of formation and morphologies as a function of degree of supersaturation will be determined at high temperature and pressure for amorphous FeS, mackinawite, cubic FeS, hexagonal and monoclinic pyrrhotites, smythite, greigite, marcasite and pyrite. Both a map of the geochemical conditions producing each form and their kinetics should result. Last, ore deposition processes will be modeled. This work will expand our understanding of how ore deposits form and where to look for them.
