Application of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy and Geochemistry as Evidence for Hydrothermal Alteration in Carbonates

Abstract

This study attempts to determine whether the combined EPR responses and geochemical characteristics of carbonate rocks, from the Renison mine area of Tasmania, Australia, can be used as an exploration tool. The EPR intensity of dolomite samples were measured based on the peak height of Mn2+ sextets. The EPR intensity values are very low (average 5cm) in least-altered samples, while the highest EPR peak height (average 17cm), occur in the highly-altered samples close to the mineralized area. The dolomite samples with more than 10cm EPR intensity, high Mn and Fe concentrations and very light oxygen isotope values are considered to be important for mineral exploration.