Andrea Dini

Italian National Research Council | CNR · Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources IGG

Transmission-based muography (TM) is becoming an innovative and nondestructive imaging technique based on the measurement of the cosmic ray muon flux attenuation within matter, allowing the reconstruction of two- or three-dimensional transmission and density polar maps. This paper presents our most recent findings on TM measurements applied to ore...

Small Cu–Fe–Zn VMS deposits are widespread in Tuscan ophiolites (Ligurian Units). Industrial production was small and definitively ceased from the 1960s. Locally, massive ore (chalcopyrite-bornite-chalcocite) having exceptionally high grade was found. The Montecatini Val di Cecina mine exploited the largest “bonanza” and, for few decades in ninetee...

Several Jurassic, ophiolite-hosted Cu-Zn VMS deposits occur in Tuscany. They are hosted by tectonic units of oceanic affinity (Ligurian Units), such as the well-known deposits of nearby Liguria. Industrial production was small and definitively ceased in the 1960s. Locally, massive ore (chalcopyrite-bornite-chalcocite) with an exceptionally high gra...

Transmission-based muography (TM) is an imaging technique based on the measurement and analysis of the cosmic ray muon flux attenuation within the investigated object. Muons are low-interacting particles that, owing to their high energy and mass, may travel through hundreds of meters of rock before stopping, which is why they are used in radiograph...

The San Rafael Sn (-Cu) deposit, located in the Eastern Cordillera of southeast Peru, is one of the world's largest cassiterite-bearing vein systems (>1 Mt Sn produced since 1969). The deposit consists of a quartz-cassiterite-chlorite-sulfide lode system spatially associated with an upper Oligocene (ca. 24 Ma) S-type gra-nitic pluton. Based on a re...

The role of lithium in the ongoing energy transition. However, lithium is much more than that: it opens a window to the space-time depths of the cosmos and also makes us think about an energy future based on nuclear fusion.

Transmission-based muography (TM) is becoming an innovative and non-destructive imaging technique based on the measurement of the cosmic ray muon flux attenuation within the matter, allowing the reconstruction of 2D-3D transmission and density polar maps. The presented abstract introduces our latest results about the TM technique measurements we ha...

Transmission-based muography (TM) is an innovative imaging technique based on the measurement and analysis of the cosmic ray muons flux attenuation within the target under investigation. This technique allows imaging inner-body density differences and has successfully been applied in a wide range of research fields: geology, archaeology, engineerin...

Muon radiography, or muography, is a non-invasive technique allowing imaging of the interior of large structures (target) thanks to the study of the absorption of atmospheric muons in materials. The muons absorption effect depends not only on the thickness, but also on the density of the target. Careful comparisons of the muographic results with si...

Campiglia Marittima (hereafter Campiglia) has a long record of attracting interest on its ore deposits that have been intermittently exploited from the Copper Age to the late XX century. Since the XIX century, Campiglia has been a key locality for the debate on skarn-forming processes due to the presence of mining activities ensuring access to ever...

Muon radiography (muography) is an imaging technique based on atmospheric muon absorption in matter that allows to obtain two and three-dimensional images of internal details of hidden objects or structures. The technique relies on atmospheric muon flux measurements performed around and underneath the object under examination. It is a non-invasive...

In the last century, with the extensive closure of the mining activities in Italy, also the interest for ore-forming processes declined. A similar fate has befallen the Alpi Apuane ore district (Tuscany) until the discovery of Tl-sulfosalt assemblages as well as the high Tl content in pyrite ores (D’Orazio et al., 2017), which led to a new scientif...

Crystalline basements can record a long geological history characterized by multiple metamorphic events related to the geodynamic evolution of one or more orogenic cycles. Generally, the petrographic features of crystalline basement rocks are interpreted as the result of metamorphic recrystallization on primary sedimentary and/or magmatic rocks whi...

The contact aureole of the Adamello pluton (Italy) exhibits a rare combination of pelitic rocks anatexis around a shallow metaluminous pluton and formation of interconnected leucosomes, aplites and small lithium and cesium-enriched pegmatitic bodies. Contact metamorphic mineral assemblages are described in the non-graphitic pelites and psammites ho...

Italy has no record of Li production, even though it is well known for its outstanding Li mineral specimens from the Elba Island pegmatites. Because of the current geopolitical situation, the opportunity for a systematic appraisal of resources is evident. Most European Li production comes from deposits associated with Late Paleozoic magmatic rocks....

Carbonation of ultramafic rocks is a key piece of the global carbon cycle taking place from the seafloor to the surficial environment and becoming particularly efficient in the genesis of ultramafic-hosted magnesite deposits in the shallow crust. Even though these are exceptional occurrences for the study of carbonation reactions and the implementa...

Geothermal systems in terrains affected by polyphase deformation have reservoirs with a 3D geometry that is always difficult to predict. In this paper we describe a fossil exhumed geothermal system exposed in eastern Elba Island that developed in a polyphase folded and faulted setting, which can help us to understand how geothermal fluids circulate...

Petrology and timing of magmatic-hydrothermal systems and the linkage between plutonic and volcanic domains are central topics in geosciences, because of broad implications for natural hazards and exploitation of natural resources. We investigated by the 40Ar–39Ar method the timescale of a well-characterized natural example, the Mio-Pliocene Campig...

In the last twenty years several applications of muography (or muon radiography) technique have been carried out for geological purposes. Among them, particular attention was given to underground ore bodies prospections. For thousands of years humans have been searching new methods to understand where to find underground ore bodies and how to local...

Il maggiore potenziale per minerali di litio della regione europea è probabilmente ospitatonelle rocce antichissime che costituiscono la parte centrale di questa “terra di mezzo”schiacciata tra Europa e Russia che, malgrado i prevedibili rischi geopolitici e ambientali, hadeciso di studiare e indagare il proprio sottosuolo, per partecipare a pieno...

To meet Paris Agreement's goal of limit global warming to +1.5/2°C from pre-industrial level, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies are required to sequester 100 to 1000 Gt of CO2 over the 21st century. Most of the existing large-scale CCS facilities are based on enhanced oil recovery, where CO2 is trapped, mainly physically, below an imper...

The upper Oligocene San Rafael intrusive complex (SRIC), located at the southwest margin of the Eastern Cordillera of southeast Peru, is an exceptional case study to investigate the petrogenesis of a large composite granitic pluton associated with the largest known high-grade Sn deposit (>1 Mt. Sn). The granitic rocks are quasi-continuously exposed...

Distal skarns form by the metasomatic reactions of a host rock induced by far-traveled hydrothermal fluids. Physical and structural characteristics and geochemical patterns of distal PbZn skarn bodies were studied at the Petrovitsa deposit in southern Bulgaria. Skarn bodies formed from the interaction of hydrothermal fluid with reactive host lithol...

The interaction between CO2-rich fluids and ultramafic rocks triggers carbonation reactions that result in the bonding of CO2 into the structure of newly formed carbonate minerals. This process is responsible for the genesis of magnesite deposits in ophiolite sequences and it is generally considered the result of the downward infiltration of meteor...

Magnesio-lucchesiite, ideally CaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O, is a new mineral species of the tourmaline supergroup. The holotype material was discovered within a lamprophyre dike that cross-cuts tourmaline-rich metapelites within the exocontact of the O’Grady Batholith, Northwest Territories (Canada). Two additional samples were found at San Piero i...

We present a high-resolution in situ study of oxygen and boron isotopes measured in tourmaline from the world-class San Rafael Sn (-Cu) deposit (Central Andean tin belt, Peru) aiming to trace major fluid processes at the magmatic-hydrothermal transition leading to the precipitation of cassiterite. Our results show that late-magmatic and pre-ore hyd...

Italy has scarce conventional resources of the strategic metal lithium. Literature data on geothermal wells and thermal springs suggest that "geothermal lithium" may be a viable alternative. The highest values are reported from the Cesano (350 mg/L) and Mofete (480 mg/L) geothermal fields.

The reconstruction of the polymetamorphic history of basement rocks in orogens is crucial for deciphering past geodynamic evolution. However, the current petrographic features are usually interpreted as the results of the metamorphic recrystallization of primary sedimentary and/or magmatic features. In contrast, metamorphic rocks derived by protoli...

The world-class San Rafael tin (-copper) deposit (central Andean tin belt, southeast Peru) is an exceptionally large and rich (>1 million metric tons Sn; grades typically >2% Sn) cassiterite-bearing hydrothermal vein system hosted by a late Oligocene (ca. 24 Ma) peraluminous K-feldspar-megacrystic granitic complex and surrounding Ordovician shales...

Six tourmaline samples were investigated as potential reference materials (RMs) for boron isotope measurement by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The tourmaline samples are chemically homogeneous and cover a compositional range of tourmaline supergroup minerals (primarily Fe, Mg and Li end‐members). Additionally, they have homogeneous boron...

The metamorphic core of the Betic-Rif orogenic chain (Alboran Domain) is made up of lower crustal rocks forming the envelope of the Ronda (Spain) and Beni Bousera (Morocco) peridotites. The deepest sections of the crustal envelopes are made of migmatitic granulites associated with diffuse acidic magmatic products, making these exposure and ideal si...

Understanding low temperature carbon sequestration through serpentinite-H2O-CO2 interaction is becoming increasingly important as it is considered a potential approach for carbon storage required to offset anthropogenic CO2 emissions. In this study, we present new insights into spontaneous CO2 mineral sequestration through the formation of hydromag...

The EU H2020 GECO project is primarily aimed to setup technologies to lower emissions from geothermal power generation by capturing them for either reuse or storage, to turn captured emissions in to commercial products and demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of the injection method. To achieve this goal a site specific characterizati...

A series of tourmaline reference materials are developed for in situ oxygen isotope analysis by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), which allow study of the tourmaline compositions found in most igneous and metamorphic rocks. The new reference material was applied to measure oxygen isotope composition of tourmaline from metagranite, meta-leucog...

The different generations of calc‐silicate assemblages formed during sequential metasomatic events make the Campiglia Marittima magmatic–hydrothermal system a prominent case study to investigate the mobility of rare earth element (REE) and other trace elements. These mineralogical assemblages also provide information about the nature and source of...

The distal skarn bodies of the Madan ore field provide a unique case study on the chemical evolution of a metasomatic mineralizing system at the regional scale. Despite the lack of a known causative intrusive body, skarn formation in the Madan ore field is accompanied by chemical zonation at the district scale, suggesting more proximal metasomatic...

We present a combined study of oxygen and boron isotopes (δ18 O and δ11 B) measured in situ in tourmaline from the giant San Rafael tin deposit (Central Andean Tin Belt, Southeast Peru) to trace fluid processes during the magmatic-hydrothermal transition leading to tin mineralization. The results show that magmatic and pre-ore hydrothermal tourmali...

At the giant tin deposit of San Rafael, Peru, the early hydrothermal stages, preceding the economic tin mineralization, include successively: 1) potassic alteration represented by hydrothermal K-feldspar altering magmatic plagioclase; 2) sericite replacing magmatic plagioclase in the ground mass and hydrothermal K-feldspar, with greisen formation i...

The Campiglia Marittima magmatic-hydrothermal system includes a peraluminous granite, its carbonatic host, and skarn. The system evolved generating a time-transgressive exchange of major and trace elements between granite, metasomatic fluids, and host rock. The process resulted in partial metasomatic replacement of the granite and severe replacemen...

The goal of the GECO (Geothermal emission gas control) project is to advance our ability to provide cleaner, and cost-effective non-carbon emitting geothermal energy. GECO is based on the application of an innovative technology that can limit the emissions from geothermal plants by condensing and re-injecting gases or utilising them to produce comm...

In the framework of Horizon 2020 program, the European Commission funded GECO project that has the overall aim to generate viable, safe and cost-effective technologies for cleaning geothermal power plant exhaust gases to be applied widely at European and global scale. The rationale of GECO project relays on a successful technology recently tested i...

Muon absorption radiography is an imaging technique based on the measurement of the absorption of cosmic ray muons. This technique has recently been used successfully to investigate the presence of unknown cavities in the Bourbon Gallery in Naples and in the Chephren Pyramid at Cairo. The MIMA detector (Muon Imaging for Mining and Archaeology) is a...

A novel algorithm developed within muon radiography to localize objects or cavities hidden inside large material volumes was recently proposed by some of the authors (Bonechi et al. 2015 J. Instrum. 10 , P02003 ( doi:10.1088/1748-0221/10/02/P02003 )). The algorithm, based on muon back projection, helps to estimate the three-dimensional position and...

Muon radiography is an imaging technique based on the measurement of the absorption of cosmic ray muons. This technique has recently been used successfully to investigate the presence of unknown cavities in the Bourbon Gallery in Naples and in the Cheops Pyramid at Cairo. The MIMA detector (Muon Imaging for Mining and Archaeology) is a muon tracker...

The Baccu Locci mine area is located in a sector of the Variscan Nappe zone of Sardinia (the Baccu Locci shear zone) that hosts several type of ore deposits mined until the first half of the last century. The orebodies consist of lenses of Zn–Cu sulphides, once interpreted as stratabound, and Qtz–As–Pb sulphide ± gold veins; the implication of stru...

Tourmaline is commonly an accessory, locally abundant, mineral in granite-related hydrothermal Sn deposits and records information about the nature and evolution of mineralizing fluids and ore-forming processes. The world- class San Rafael lode-type Sn deposit, located in the northern part of the Andean Tin Belt in southern Peru, is characterized b...

The weathering of serpentinized peridotites, typically in ophiolite complexes, results in alkaline groundwater that may react with atmospheric or soil-derived CO2, resulting in rapid precipitation of anhydrous or hydrous carbonate minerals. The origin and composition of mineralizing solutions associated with natural magnesium carbonate precipitatio...

The Etruscan site of Populonia-Baratti (Southern Tuscany, Italy) became in the first millennium BCE one of the most important iron metalworking sites in the Mediterranean region thanks to the exploitation of nearby Elba Island iron ores. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated that, before iron, copper was smelted therein (9th–8th century BCE)....

The DESCRAMBLE project has developed novel drilling technologies for a proof-of-concept test of reaching deep geothermal supercritical resources. In the project, we have drilled and tested the continental-crust condition for demonstrating novel drilling techniques, the control of gas emissions and high temperature/pressure conditions expected from...

The ascent and emplacement of magmas in the upper crust modify the local pre-existing thermal and rheological settings. Such changes have important effects in producing anomalous structures, mass extrusion, rock fracturing, and in some conditions, hydrothermal mineralizations. In the Campiglia Marittima area, detailed field mapping led to the recon...

In the frame of the Integrated Method for Advanced Geothermal Exploration (IMAGE) Project, a reliable exploration and resource assessment workflow was implemented on the basis of an integrated and multidisciplinary approach. Our study addressed to a better understanding of the thermal structure of the deepest part of the Larderello geothermal field...

Understanding the mechanism of serpentinite weathering at low temperature-that involves carbonate formation-has become increasingly important because it represents an analog study for a cost-efficient carbon disposal strategy (i.e. carbon mineralization technology or mineral Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage, CCS). At Montecastelli (Tuscany, Italy...

The southern sector of the Apuan Alps (AA) massif, Tuscany, Italy, is characterized by the occurrence of a series of baryte–pyrite–iron oxide orebodies whose Tl-rich nature was recognized only recently. The geochemistry of the pyrite ore was investigated through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In addition, lead isotope data for select...

Loki's Castle at 73°30′ N along the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge (AMOR) provides a natural laboratory to study the evolution of hydrothermal circulation in an ultraslow-spreading environment. In addition, a sedimentary input into the Loki's Castle hydrothermal circulation cell is indicated by vent fluid and gas chemistry. Here we present B and Sr isotope...

Extensional tectonics generates regional-scale structures that often hinders local variations in the overall extensional regime that, if appropriately described and interpreted, could shed light on second-order processes leading to generation of anomalous structures, mass displacement, rock fracturing, and hydrothermal mineralizations. In the Campi...

Metasomatic processes are associated with fluid flow in a permeable host rock and commonly result in mineralogical net transfer reactions. Skarns are one of the main group of metasomatic rocks, and the fluid composition and infiltration pathways control the resulting skarn/ore morphology/mineralogy. The Campiglia Marittima Fe-Cu-Zn-Pb(-Ag) skarn de...

Metasomatic rocks occur in all continents and are hosted in rocks of all types and ages, however they are most commonly found in carbonate rocks spatially related to magmatic bodies. The magmatic-hydrothermal system of Campiglia Marittima in southern Tuscany, is an ideal site to study fluid-mineral and fluid-rock interactions leading to element mob...

Tuscany (Italy) is characterized by numerous, large outcrops of ophiolites, i.e. serpentinites, gabbros and basalts, representing remnants of the Jurassic Ligurian Tethys. At Montecastelli (Tuscany), spontaneous CO 2 mineral sequestration is an ongoing process locally affecting serpentinites along fractures and at surface. Here, the ophiolite outcr...

This paper reports the first example of fault mirrors developed in an unusual protolith, consisting of tourmaline crystals with interstitial goethite. The deformation mechanisms active in the fault zone have been investigated from the outcrop to the nanoscale, aiming to identify possible traces of frictional heating at seismic slip rate, as observe...

The Campiglia Marittima Fe-Cu-Zn-Pb(-Ag) skarn deposit has long been regarded as a reference example of an exoskarn showing a symmetric outward mineralogical zoning of both skarn and ore minerals with respect to an axial mafic porphyry dike. Detailed field and underground mapping, along with three-dimensional reconstruction of the geometries of ska...

A crystal-chemical study of historical specimens as well as new ones belonging to the jordanite–geocronite series from the Pollone baryte + pyrite ± (Pb-Zn-Ag) ore deposit (Valdicastello Carducci, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy) has been performed. These crystals were collected in quartz extension veins embedded in three different occurrences: (i) bary...

Dykes feed laccoliths and sills; however, the link between feeder and intrusion is rarely observed. The felsic San Martino laccolith displays a clear feeder–intrusion link, allowing reconstruction of the influence of the size and location of feeder dykes on magma flow during formation of subhorizontal intrusions. This work uses anisotropy of magnet...

Distal skarns are calc-silicate rocks formed by the interaction between magmatic fluids and carbonate hosts without direct link with a causative intrusion. In the present study we use trace element patterns in main skarn silicates from a classical type locality in Tuscany to trace the genetic link with the Miocene magmas. The Torre di Rio distal Fe...

This paper focuses on brittle deformation and fluid-rock interaction, for enhancing permeability in carbonate geothermal reservoir. The relationship between fractures and fluid flow at different structural levels within a geothermal circuit are described through examples from exhumed geothermal systems cropping out in southern Tuscany, with emphasi...

In this paper we deal with the kinematic and chronological relationships among low angle normal faults and high angle strike- to oblique-slip faults in an exhumed mineralized area, where shear veins and minor associated structures filled with the same mineral assemblage has been interpreted as indicators of coeval fault activities. The study area i...

Growth of continental crust in accretionary orogenic belts takes place through repeated cycles of subduction–accretion of rock units from continental and oceanic magmatic arcs, supra-subduction zone backarcs and forearcs loaded with continent-derived materials. An ancient example relevant to magmatic arc accretion models is represented by the remna...