Faculty
Curriculum
David L. Bish, Murray Chair, Professor | Ph.D., Penn State, 1977| [email protected]
Research Interests: Variation of
kaolinite properties (surface properties,
crystallographic order, trace-element
content) in kaolin samples. Surface
properties of clay minerals related to
swelling ability, landfill applications, and
adsorption properties. Importance of clay and zeolite minerals
in radioactive waste applications. Behavior of fluorine in brick
raw materials (typically clay minerals). Interaction of clay
minerals with organic pollutants (e.g., hydrazine with kaolinite).
Microscopic factors influencing the Rheological properties of
clay suspensions.
Recent Projects: 1. Development of a
miniaturized X-ray diffraction/X-ray fluorescence
instrument for exploration of Mars (CHEMIN). 2.
Quantification of the surface properties of clay
minerals and implications for their use in environmental
applications. 3. Use of X-ray powder diffraction to
determine quantitative mineralogic abundances in
complex mixtures. 4. Prediction
of the behavior of clay minerals
and zeolites at Yucca Mountain,
Nevada.
Representative Papers:
Langella, A., et al. 1999, Distribution of industrial minerals in Sardinia (Italy). In Clinoptilolite
bearing rocks of the Logudoro region. Natural Microporous Materials in Environmental
Technology, P. Misaelides et al., eds, Kluwer Academic Publishers
Bish, D.L., et al. 2003, The distribution and importance of zeolites at Yucca Mountain, Nevada,
USA. American Mineralogist 88.
Vaniman, D.T., et al. 2005, Lanthanide elements in alteration zones as a guide to transport phenomena in the vadose zones of
continental tuffs. In Rare Earth Elements in Groundwater Flow Systems, K. H. Johannesson, Ed.
James G. Brophy, Associate Professor | Ph.D., Johns Hopkins, 1985 | [email protected]
Recent Projects:
Research Interests: Chemical
and physical processes of
magmatic differentiation. Origin
of bi-modal (mafic-silicic)
layered intrusions. The role
of decompression in driving
crystallization and fractionation in orogenic magmas. The
role of cumulate entrainment in controlling geochemical
trends in orogenic lavas. One-atmosphere experimental
petrology. Dissolution and crystallization kinetics of silicate
minerals in basaltic liquid. Partitioning of transition metals
between co-existing silicate and sulfide liquids. Effect of
dissolved S on the crystal-liquid partitioning behavior of
transition metals.
By its very nature, the field
of Economic Geology is
multidisciplinary in scope.
1. Field and petrologic study of the bi-modal Lady of the
Lake Intrusion, Tobacco Root Mountains, Montana.
G416 Economic Geology
G420 Regional Geology Field Trip
G427 Introduction to X-ray Mineralogy
G571 Principles of Petroleum Geology
G572 Basin Analysis and Hydrocarbons
G582 Computational Methods for Earth Scientists
G586 Geochemical Modeling
G587 Organic Geochemistry
G601 Clay Mineralogy
G616 Metalliferous Mineral Deposits
G617 Geochemical Exploration
G626 Industrial Minerals
Mineralogical research that pertains to the formation of
Representative Papers:
zeolites, and sulfates is also in progress. Current projects
Brophy, J.G. and Dreher, T.S., 2000, The origin of
composition gaps at South Sister volcano, central Oregon:
Implications for fractional crystallization processes
beneath active calc-alkaline volcanoes. Jour Volcanol
Geotherm Res, 102.
Ripley, E.M. et al., 2002, Copper solubility in a basaltic melt
and sulfide liquid/silicate liquid partition coefficients of Cu
and Fe. Geochimica et Comochimica Acta, 66.
DEPARTMENT OF
GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY - Broadly speaking, Economic
Geology encompasses all areas in the geological sciences that pertain to the extraction or production of geologic
materials for profit. Natural resource utilization throughout the world includes geologic materials such as metals,
non-metals, fuels, and water. Here at IU we have faculty
and research scientists who are involved in both field/
analytical and experimental studies of all of these natural resources. We have an active group investigating the
genesis of metallic ore deposits that occur in magmatic,
hydrothermal, and sedimentary environments. Several
faculty and research staff are also involved in studies
that relate to the genesis and localization of petroleum,
coal, and natural gas.
2. Origin of sector-zoned augites in subduction zone
mafic magmas: Implications for decompression, H2O
exsolution and rapid crystallization.
Brophy, J.G. et al., 1999, Sector zoned megacrysts in
Aleutian high alumina basalts: Implications for the
conditions of basalt crystallization and the generation of
calc-alkaline series magmas. Contrib Mineral Petrol 135.
Indiana University
important non-metallic industrial minerals such as clays,
that relate to water resources involve physical, chemical and numerical methods of investigation. As you can
tell, the field of Economic Geology by its very nature is
multidisciplinary in scope. Our students find employment
with petroleum and coal companies, mining, exploration
and processing companies, environmental and geological engineering firms, as well as in academia. Because
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY
of expanding economies worldwide, the need for welltrained economic geologists is growing. This is an exciting time for earth scientists!
1001 East 10th Street
Bloomington, IN 47405-1405
Phone 812- 855-5582 | Fax 812-855-7899
www.indiana.edu/~geosci
Erika Elswick, Assistant Scientist | Ph.D., University of Cincinnati, 1998 | [email protected]
Research Interests: Stable isotopes
in sedimentary environments (past
and present), and their application to
the development of sedimentary ore
deposits. The fate of metals in the
environment, in conjunction with the
development of tropical soils. Low
temperature hydrothermal rock-water interactions at oceanic
spreading ridges, and the influences and interactions with
microbial activity and microbial byproducts associated with
these rock-water interactions. Environmental changes recorded
in soils associated with archaeological sites.
Recent Projects:
1. Sulfur Isotopic Budget of the Yaxcopoil-1 Core,
Chicxulub Impact Crater and the modeling of the sulfur
isotopic fractionation at the impact.
2. Sulfur cycling in coals as related to depositional cycles.
3. Metal transfer from coal spoil piles to down stream
wetlands. Griffy Lake case study.
Research Interests: Coal geology,
coal chemistry and petrology,
petrology and chemistry of kerogen
and bitumen, coalbed methane
potential and origin, carbon dioxide
adsorption into coal, role of stable
isotopes in maturation, properties of coal combustion
products
Representative Papers:
Recent Projects:
1. Role of hydrogen in maturation process.
2. Coal bed methane of the Illinois Basin.
3. Carbon dioxide sequestration into the coal beds – field
and laboratory studies.
4. Evaluation of coal for Integrated Gasification Combined
Cycle (IGCC).
Mastalerz, M., Drobniak, A., Hower, J.C., O’Keefe, J.M.K., 2010. Spontaneous combustion and coal petrology. In: G.B.
Stracher, A. Prakash, and E.V. Sokol (Eds) Coal and Peat Fires: A Global Perspective, vol. 1, Elsevier. 47-62.
Mastalerz, M., Rupp, J., Drobniak, A., Harpalani, S., Anderson, A., Korose, K., Frailey, S., and Morse, D., 2009. Assessment of CO2 sequestration and enhanced coalbed methane potential in unminable coal seams of the Illinois Basin. In: M.
Grobe, J.C. Pashin, and R.L. Dodge (Eds) Carbon Dioxide Sequestration in Geological Media – State of the Art, AAPG
Studies in Geology 59, 149-171.
Representative Papers:
Algeo, T.J., Hinnov, L., Moser, J., Maynard, J.B., Elswick, E.R., Kuwahara, K., Sano,
H., 2010, Changes in productivity and redox conditions in the Panthalassic Ocean
during the latest Permian: Geology, v.38, no. 2, p. 187-190.
Elswick, E.R. et al., 2007, Sulfur isotope geochemistry of coal and derived coal combustion
products: an example from an Eastern Kentucky mine and power plant. Applied Geochemistry 22, 2065-2077.
Thermal Feature, Yellowstone National Park
Jiang, Y. et al, 2007, Progression in sulfur isotopic composition from coal to fly ash: Two examples from single-source combustion in
Indiana. International Journal of Coal Geology, (doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2007.06.004)
Our students find employment with petroleum and coal companies, mining, exploration and processing companies, environmental and geological engineering firms, as well as in academia. Because of expanding economies
worldwide, the need for well-trained economic geologists is growing. This is an exciting time for earth scientists!
Chusi Li, Senior Scientist Ph.D., Univ. of Toronto, 1993 [email protected]
Recent Projects:
Research Interests: Genesis
of world-class Ni-Cu-PGE
deposits associated with mafic
and ultramafic intrusions.
Maria Mastalerz, Adjunct Research Scientist | Ph.D., Silesian Technical University, Poland | [email protected]
1. Genesis of the newly discovered Eagle Ni-Cu sulfide
deposit associated with the Midcontinent Rift System in
upper Michigan.
2. Dynamic ore forming processes in the Jinchuan Ni-Cu
sulfide deposits in western China.
3. Postmagmatic hydrothermal modification of stratiform
platinum-group element mineralization in the Stillwater
Complex, Montana.
Representative Papers:
Li C, Ripley EM, Naldrett AJ (2009) A new genetic model for the giant Ni-Cu-PGE
sulfide deposits associated with the Siberian flood basalts. Economic Geology 104,
201-301.
Li C, Ripley EM, Naldrett AJ, Schmitt AK, Moore CH (2009) Magmatic anhydrite-sulfide
assemblages in the plumbing system of the Siberian Traps. Geology 37, 259-262.
Ripley EM , Li C (2009) Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization associated with the Proterozoic
Midcontinent Rift System, USA. In Li C and Ripley EM (eds) New Developments in
Magmatic Ni-Cu and PGE Deposits, 180-191.
Mastalerz, M., Drobniak, A., Strapoc, D., Solano Acosta, W., Rupp, J., 2008. Variations in pore characteristics in high volatile
bituminous coals; Implications for coalbed gas content. International Journal of Coal Geology 76, 205-216.
Edward M. Ripley, Professor Ph.D., Penn State, 1976 [email protected]
Recent Projects:
Research Interests:
Genesis of metallic ore
deposits and the application
of stable isotopic geochemistry to petrologic problems.
Techniques include field
mapping, transmitted and
reflected light microscopy,
fluid inclusion microthermometry, major and trace element
analyses, stable isotopic measurements, a variety of
microbeam analytical techniques, and thermodynamic/
kinetic modeling.
Representative Papers:
Li C, Ripley EM, Naldrett AJ (2009) A new genetic model
for the giant Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposits associated
with the Siberian flood basalts. Economic Geology 104,
201-301.
Ripley EM (2009) Magmatic sulfide mineralization in
Alaskan-type complexes. In Li C and Ripley EM
(eds) New Developments in Magmatic Ni-Cu and
PGE Deposits, 219-228.
Ripley EM , Li C (2009) Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization
associated with the Proterozoic Midcontinent
Rift System, USA. In Li C and Ripley EM (eds)
New Developments in Magmatic Ni-Cu and PGE
Deposits, 180-191.
1. Studies of the genesis of copper, nickel, and platinum group
elements in mafic igneous rocks of the Duluth Complex and
Voisey’s Bay deposit, Jinchuan deposit, Stillwater Complex,
Duke Island Complex, and the Bushveld Complex.
2. Hydrothermal flow systems associated with continental rift
zones.
3. Experimental studies of metal solubility in mafic magmas.
4. Hydrothermal beryllium mineralization in rhyolitic volcanic
rocks.
5. Roles of fractional crystallization and assimilation of country
rocks in the formation of immiscible sulfide melt. Origin of
hydrothermal fluids involved in sub-solidus redistribution of
platinum, palladium, and gold.
6. Both magmatic and meteoric waters in hydrothermal beryllium
mineralization.
7. Sulfur isotopic fractionation in ore systems, stable and
radiogenic isotopic systematics of melt-country rock interaction.
image courtesy E.M. Ripley: research
site at Voisey’s Bay, Canada