Theoretical analysis of the role of groundwater flow in the genesis of stratabound ore deposits; 1, Mathematical and numerical model

Carbonate-hosted lead-zinc deposits of the mississippi valley type are thought to have formed through the migration of warm (50 degrees -150 degrees C) subsurface fluids in sedimentary basins. The fundamental role of fluid flow is poorly understood; depending on the stage of evolution of a basin, either a compaction-drive or gravity-drive fluid-flow system may be developed. Quantitative examination of the role of one flow mechanism in ore genesis; gravity-driven groundwater flow. Equations governing fluid flow, heat transport, mass transport, and geochemical mass transfer. Numerical modeling techniques are used to develop a computer code for simulation of regional transport processes along cross sections. The finite-element method is applied to solve the steady-state, fluid-flow, and heat-transport equations, and a moving-particle random-walk algorithm is developed to predict the advection and dispersion of aqueous species.--Modified journal abstract.