The purpose of the work is to develop thermogravimetric- fourier transform infrared analysis (TG-FTIR) as a thermal maturation indicator suitable for examining recent hydrothermal sedimentary and metal sulfide deposits and their relation to ancient metal ore deposits. Recent hydrothermal vent samples whose maximum geothermal exposure is thought to be farily well constrained will be analyzed by TG-FTIR. The rates of laboratory thermal evolution of various gases, including CO2, CO, SO2, COS, ammonia, methane, ethylene paraffins (all obtained in a single 90 minute analysis) will be compared to other indicators of thermal maturity and metamorphism. Data are also automatically obtained during the same analyses for quantitative determination of various forms of C, S. O, and N in minerals associated with vent deposits. The method will then be applied to some ancient metal ore deposits proposed to have a hydrothermal origin. A natural outgrowth of the proposed work will be evaluation of TG-FTIR as a tool for metal ore exploration.
