instrumental techniques applied to mineralogy and geochemistry

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Salvador Morales
sciences. Solely by way of an example, we can say that these studies have been
implemented in:
* ore deposits
* hydrothermal environments
* sedimentary environment and diagenetic processes
* metamorphic terranes with different metamorphic grades
* volcanic areas
* mantle environments
* petroleum exploration
* tectonic history of deformed areas
* gemology
* paleoclimatology
* paleohydrogeology
* extraterrestrial environments
* weathering of historical monuments
* analysis of air-inclusions in ice cores
* ambar
* etc.!
The reasons why studies of fluid inclusions are becoming increasingly common must
be sought at the confluence of a number of factors:
* Microthermometry is a cheap technique: for the price of a small quantity of
nitrogen, a high number of results can be obtained (though it is a very subjective
estimation, we calculate that with 5-10 euro of liquid nitrogen, determinations
corresponding to 10-20 fluid inclusions can be carried out).
* The equipment is relatively cheap in comparison with other analytical techniques: a
heating and freezing stage should not cost more than about €30,000 (aprox.). This means
that the majority of geology departments at research centres (and many companies) have
a fluid inclusion laboratory.
* Sample preparation laboratories do not require special equipment: any laboratory in
a university geology department or company that deals with the preparation of common