A natural laboratory for critical metals investigations in the Mourne Mountains granites

Moore, Kathryn; Moles, Norman; Lusty, Paul. 2016 A natural laboratory for critical metals investigations in the Mourne Mountains granites. In: Young, M.E., (ed.) Unearthed: impacts of the Tellus surveys of the north of Ireland. Dublin, Ireland, Royal Irish Academy, 119-128, 10pp.

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Abstract/Summary

Certain metals that are vital for many modern technologies occur naturally in the Mourne Mountains Complex of County Down, Northern Ireland. These include niobium, tantalum and the rare earth elements. Using the Tellus geochemistry data and the results of more detailed sampling, we have investigated their geological sources in granite bedrock and their dispersion in stream sediments. From this research, an exploration methodology has emerged that can assist in the search for critical metals globally. Planned follow-on studies include investigations of the environmental fate of these metals and the potentially toxic elements with which they are naturally associated.

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.3318/978-1-908996-88-6.ch9
Programmes:	BGS Programmes > Geological Survey of Northern Ireland
ISBN:	9781908996879
NORA Subject Terms:	Earth Sciences
Date made live:	20 Jan 2017 12:24 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/515371

Item Type:

Publication - Book Section

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.3318/978-1-908996-88-6.ch9

Programmes:

BGS Programmes > Geological Survey of Northern Ireland

ISBN:

9781908996879

NORA Subject Terms:

Earth Sciences

Date made live:

20 Jan 2017 12:24 +0 (UTC)