CSIR-NGRI

Geochemistry

The Geochemistry Division is involved in various research programs related to the Earth's crust and interior. The R & D activities of our group are focused to better understand the geodynamic evolution of the Earth's crust, potentiality, and the genesis of ore deposits across the country. Our approach towards addressing these complex scientific problems involves multi-disciplinary studies that include field geology, structural analysis, petrography, bulk rock geochemistry, mineral geochronology (U-Pb zircon, and Pb-Pb baddeleyite), and radiogenic isotopes. The group contributed immensely in the past four decades towards understanding the evolution of Archean continental crust from different cratonic blocks of India, the origin of early life, gold and iron mineralization, and Archean depositional environments. The group also actively participated in assessing the environmental impact and health hazards of contaminants in various parts of India. The Geochemistry Division has state-of-the-art analytical facilities and has long-standing effective collaborations with reputed national and international research groups.

Four sophisticated major instruments are available in the group, along with other lab facilities: (i) High-Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (HR-ICP-MS) with Laser Ablation System, (ii) Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS), (iii) Wavelength Dispersive - X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (WD-XRF), and (iv) Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS). In collaboration with industry, the group had conducted successful mineral exploration programs for Pb-Zn (in Rajasthan, in collaboration with HZL) and for gold (in Karnataka, with Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited and Mineral Sales Pvt. Limited), gold in Madagascar (with National Mineral Development Corporation Limited). We serve the geoscience community of the country by providing high-quality analytical data. We also offer periodic training on analytical instrumentation to young researchers nationwide and contribute to the skill development initiative. Over the years, our group has significantly contributed to the field through prolific publication in leading national and international journals.

Ongoing projects:

Metallogenic Processes in Selective Precambrian Terranes of the Indian Shield: Magmatic, sedimentary, metamorphic, and structural controls (FBR-050-406)
Proterozoic mantle evolution: Dharwar and Bastar connection (GAP-893-28-DSS)
Are Konkan Lavas Deccan Traps? (CSIR-FIRST TCK)
Revisiting the Himachal Himalaya to test different tectonic models and their implications to Himalayan geodynamics (GAP-864-28-AKO)
Evaluation of mineral potential, geochemistry and paleo-depositional regime of clastic sediments from the Dharwar Craton, India (GAP-882-28-CSS)
Chronostratigraphic and Provenance analysis from the sub-surface samples of Exploratory borewells of Oil India Limited (SSP-886-28-MRM)