Professor Paulo Vasconcelos
Professor

Paulo Vasconcelos

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52297

Background

Associate Professor Paulo Vasconcelos' research is in the fields of: Low-T Geochemistry, Economic Geology and 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology. He received his PhD from The University of California (Berkeley).

Paolo Vasconcelos research interests cover

  • Supergene enrichment in ore deposits
  • Isotopic dating of weathering processes
  • Exploration geochemistry
  • Palaeoclimatology and landscape evolution
  • Application of K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar and noble gas systematics to ore deposit genesis
  • Origin and geochemistry of gem deposits

His chief research projects are in the areas of:

  • Weathering Geochronology, Weathering Geochronology and Landscape Evolution
  • Mechanisms and timing of silicification in Australia and the genesis of opal deposits
  • Cenozoic Magmatism in North East Brazil and in South East Queensland
  • U-He, 40Ar/39Ar, and Re-Os as fingerprints of metal sources in orogenic gold deposits
  • U-Th/He dating of iron and manganese oxides
  • Cosmogenic 3He generation and retention in goethite and hematite
  • Hydrothermal vs. supergene origin of orebodies in banded iron formations in the Hamersley iron province, the Quadrilátero Ferrífero iron province, and the Carajás iron province
  • Supergene Enrichment in the Kalahari Manganese Fields, South Africa
  • Timing of topaz, emerald and gold mineralization
  • 40Ar/39Ar geocronological constraints on postulated hominid fossil sites in Cueva Victoria, Spain

Availability

Professor Paulo Vasconcelos is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Geochemistry Geology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Kansas
  • Masters (Coursework), The University of Texas
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of California-Berkeley

Search Professor Paulo Vasconcelos’s works on UQ eSpace

269 works between 1991 and 2025
All (269) Journal Article (168) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (90) Other Outputs (4) Edited Outputs (4)

41 - 60 of 269 works

2021

Journal Article

Petrogenesis of the early Cretaceous intra-plate basalts from the Western North China Craton: implications for the origin of the metasomatized cratonic lithospheric mantle

Zhang, Junjie, Guo, Pengyuan, Sun, Pu, Niu, Yaoling, Xiao, Yuanyuan and Vasconcelos, Paulo M. (2021). Petrogenesis of the early Cretaceous intra-plate basalts from the Western North China Craton: implications for the origin of the metasomatized cratonic lithospheric mantle. Lithos, 380-381 105887. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2020.105887

Petrogenesis of the early Cretaceous intra-plate basalts from the Western North China Craton: implications for the origin of the metasomatized cratonic lithospheric mantle

2020

Journal Article

The grenvillian assembly of rodinia: timing of accretion on the western margin of the kalahari (kaapvaal) craton

Van Niekerk, H. S., Armstrong, R. and Vasconcelos, P. (2020). The grenvillian assembly of rodinia: timing of accretion on the western margin of the kalahari (kaapvaal) craton. South African Journal of Geology, 123 (4), 441-464. doi: 10.25131/sajg.123.0042

The grenvillian assembly of rodinia: timing of accretion on the western margin of the kalahari (kaapvaal) craton

2020

Journal Article

Mechanisms and kinetics of argon diffusion in hypogene and supergene jarosites: implications for geochronology and surficial geochemistry on Earth and Mars

Ren, Z. and Vasconcelos, P. M. (2020). Mechanisms and kinetics of argon diffusion in hypogene and supergene jarosites: implications for geochronology and surficial geochemistry on Earth and Mars. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 289, 207-224. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2020.08.019

Mechanisms and kinetics of argon diffusion in hypogene and supergene jarosites: implications for geochronology and surficial geochemistry on Earth and Mars

2020

Journal Article

Accelerating microbial iron cycling promotes re‐cementation of surface crusts in iron ore regions

Gagen, Emma J., Levett, Alan, Paz, Anat, Bostelmann, Heike, Valadares, Rafael Borges da Silva, Bitencourt, José Augusto Pires, Gastauer, Markus, Nunes, Gisele Lopes, Oliveira, Guilherme, Vasconcelos, Paulo M., Tyson, Gene W. and Southam, Gordon (2020). Accelerating microbial iron cycling promotes re‐cementation of surface crusts in iron ore regions. Microbial Biotechnology, 13 (6) 1751-7915.13646, 1960-1971. doi: 10.1111/1751-7915.13646

Accelerating microbial iron cycling promotes re‐cementation of surface crusts in iron ore regions

2020

Journal Article

Structural controls and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological data of basic dike swarms in the eastern domain of the Parnaíba Basin, northeast Brazil

Bárbara de Medeiros Fernandes, Luanny, Ferraz Jardim de Sá, Emanuel, Marcos de Paula Vasconcelos, Paulo and Centurion Córdoba, Valéria (2020). Structural controls and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological data of basic dike swarms in the eastern domain of the Parnaíba Basin, northeast Brazil. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 101 102601, 102601. doi: 10.1016/j.jsames.2020.102601

Structural controls and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological data of basic dike swarms in the eastern domain of the Parnaíba Basin, northeast Brazil

2020

Journal Article

Biocement stabilization of an experimental-scale artificial slope and the reformation of iron-rich crusts

Levett, Alan, Gagen, Emma J., Zhao, Yitian, Vasconcelos, Paulo M. and Southam, Gordon (2020). Biocement stabilization of an experimental-scale artificial slope and the reformation of iron-rich crusts. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117 (31), 18347-18354. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2001740117

Biocement stabilization of an experimental-scale artificial slope and the reformation of iron-rich crusts

2020

Journal Article

Characterisation of iron oxide encrusted microbial fossils

Levett, Alan, Gagen, Emma J., Rintoul, Llew, Guagliardo, Paul, Diao, Hui, Vasconcelos, Paulo M. and Southam, Gordon (2020). Characterisation of iron oxide encrusted microbial fossils. Scientific Reports, 10 (1) 9889, 9889. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-66830-z

Characterisation of iron oxide encrusted microbial fossils

2020

Journal Article

Intracrystalline site preference of oxygen isotopes in goethite: a single-mineral paleothermometer

Miller, Hayden B.D., Farley, Kenneth A., Vasconcelos, Paulo M., Mostert, Albert and Eiler, John M. (2020). Intracrystalline site preference of oxygen isotopes in goethite: a single-mineral paleothermometer. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 539 116237, 116237. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116237

Intracrystalline site preference of oxygen isotopes in goethite: a single-mineral paleothermometer

2020

Journal Article

Microbial weathering signatures in lateritic ferruginous duricrusts

Levett, Alan, Vasconcelos, Paulo M., Gagen, Emma J., Rintoul, Llew, Spier, Carlos, Guagliardo, Paul and Southam, Gordon (2020). Microbial weathering signatures in lateritic ferruginous duricrusts. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 538 116209, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116209

Microbial weathering signatures in lateritic ferruginous duricrusts

2020

Journal Article

Biogeochemical cycling of iron: implications for biocementation and slope stabilisation

Levett, Alan, Gagen, Emma J., Vasconcelos, Paulo M., Zhao, Yitian, Paz, Anat and Southam, Gordon (2020). Biogeochemical cycling of iron: implications for biocementation and slope stabilisation. Science of The Total Environment, 707 136128, 136128. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136128

Biogeochemical cycling of iron: implications for biocementation and slope stabilisation

2020

Journal Article

Protocols for in situ measurement of oxygen isotopes in goethite by ion microprobe

Monteiro, H. S., Vasconcelos, P. M., Farley, K. A., Ávila, J. N., Miller, H. B.D., Holden, P. and Ireland, T. R. (2020). Protocols for in situ measurement of oxygen isotopes in goethite by ion microprobe. Chemical Geology, 533 119436, 119436. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2019.119436

Protocols for in situ measurement of oxygen isotopes in goethite by ion microprobe

2020

Journal Article

40Ar/39Ar geochronological evidence for multiple magmatic events during the emplacement of Tapira alkaline-carbonatite complex, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Conceição, Fabiano T., Vasconcelos, Paulo M., Godoy, Letícia H. and Navarro, Guillermo R.B. (2020). 40Ar/39Ar geochronological evidence for multiple magmatic events during the emplacement of Tapira alkaline-carbonatite complex, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 97 102416, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jsames.2019.102416

40Ar/39Ar geochronological evidence for multiple magmatic events during the emplacement of Tapira alkaline-carbonatite complex, Minas Gerais, Brazil

2019

Journal Article

Argon diffusion in hypogene and supergene alunites: implications to geochronology and thermochronometry on Earth and Mars

Ren, Z. and Vasconcelos, P. M. (2019). Argon diffusion in hypogene and supergene alunites: implications to geochronology and thermochronometry on Earth and Mars. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 262, 166-187. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2019.07.014

Argon diffusion in hypogene and supergene alunites: implications to geochronology and thermochronometry on Earth and Mars

2019

Journal Article

Quantifying 39Ar recoil in natural hypogene and supergene alunites and jarosites

Ren, Z. and Vasconcelos, P.M. (2019). Quantifying 39Ar recoil in natural hypogene and supergene alunites and jarosites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 260, 84-98. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2019.06.019

Quantifying 39Ar recoil in natural hypogene and supergene alunites and jarosites

2019

Journal Article

Stranded landscapes in the humid tropics: Earth's oldest land surfaces

Vasconcelos, Paulo M., Farley, Kenneth A., Stone, John, Piacentini, Thiago and Fifield, L. Keith (2019). Stranded landscapes in the humid tropics: Earth's oldest land surfaces. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 519, 152-164. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2019.04.014

Stranded landscapes in the humid tropics: Earth's oldest land surfaces

2019

Journal Article

Biogeochemical processes in canga ecosystems: armoring of iron ore against erosion and importance in iron duricrust restoration in Brazil

Gagen, Emma J., Levett, Alan, Paz, Anat, Gastauer, Markus, Caldeira, Cecílio Frois, Valadares, Rafael Borges da Silva, Bitencourt, José Augusto Pires, Alves, Ronnie, Oliveira, Guilherme, Siqueira, Jose Oswaldo, Vasconcelos, Paulo M. and Southam, Gordon (2019). Biogeochemical processes in canga ecosystems: armoring of iron ore against erosion and importance in iron duricrust restoration in Brazil. Ore Geology Reviews, 107, 573-586. doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2019.03.013

Biogeochemical processes in canga ecosystems: armoring of iron ore against erosion and importance in iron duricrust restoration in Brazil

2019

Journal Article

Numerical Modeling of Weathering, Erosion, Sedimentation, and Uplift in a Triple Junction Divergent Margin

Sacek, Victor, de Morais Neto, João Marinho, Vasconcelos, Paulo Marcos and de Oliveira Carmo, Isabela (2019). Numerical Modeling of Weathering, Erosion, Sedimentation, and Uplift in a Triple Junction Divergent Margin. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 20 (5) 2018GC008124, 2334-2354. doi: 10.1029/2018GC008124

Numerical Modeling of Weathering, Erosion, Sedimentation, and Uplift in a Triple Junction Divergent Margin

2019

Conference Publication

Single and multiple weathering-erosion cycles in supergene ore genesis

Vasconcelos, Paulo M. (2019). Single and multiple weathering-erosion cycles in supergene ore genesis. 15th SGA Biennial Meeting on Life with Ore Deposits on Earth, Glasgow, Scotland, 27-30 August 2019. Geneva, Switzerland: Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA).

Single and multiple weathering-erosion cycles in supergene ore genesis

2018

Journal Article

Bioleaching of waste material from the Salobo mine, Brazil: recovery of refractory copper from Cu hosted in silicate minerals

Henne, A., Craw, D., Vasconcelos, P. and Southam, G. (2018). Bioleaching of waste material from the Salobo mine, Brazil: recovery of refractory copper from Cu hosted in silicate minerals. Chemical Geology, 498, 72-82. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2018.08.029

Bioleaching of waste material from the Salobo mine, Brazil: recovery of refractory copper from Cu hosted in silicate minerals

2018

Journal Article

40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb constraints on the age of the Zaozigou gold deposit, Xiahe-Hezuo district, West Qinling orogen, China: Relation to early Triassic reduced intrusions emplaced during slab rollback

Sui, Ji-Xiang, Li, Jian-Wei, Jin, Xiao-Ye, Vasconcelos, Paulo and Zhu, Rui (2018). 40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb constraints on the age of the Zaozigou gold deposit, Xiahe-Hezuo district, West Qinling orogen, China: Relation to early Triassic reduced intrusions emplaced during slab rollback. Ore Geology Reviews, 101, 885-899. doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2018.08.014

40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb constraints on the age of the Zaozigou gold deposit, Xiahe-Hezuo district, West Qinling orogen, China: Relation to early Triassic reduced intrusions emplaced during slab rollback

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Determining fossilisation processes of a rare iron-rich Lagerstätte (ARC Linkage Project administered by The University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2022
    Ultra-precise dating in Earth, planetary and archaeological science (ARC LIEF project administered by University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    The Paraná-Etendeka Magmatic Province in Brazil: temporal and petrologic relationships between the tholeiitic and alkaline magmatism and geodynamic implications
    Shell Global Solutions International BV
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Timing, chemical characteristics and links between magmatism and hydrothermal alteration in Brazilian sedimentary basins
    Petrobras SA
    Open grant
  • 2019
    The Parana-Etendeka Manmatic Province in Brazil: temporal and petrologic relationships between the tholeiitic and alkaline magmatism and geodynamic implications
    Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Tectonic and provenances studies in the Sumatra Seismic Zone
    Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos)
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Geodynamics and Tectonic Evolution of the Atlantic Equatorial Margin (segment between Potiguar and Ceara Basins - Northeast Brazil)
    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Origins of the ore-forming materials and geochronology of typical deposits in the Xiaoqinling gold district in the southern margin of the North China Craton
    Guizhou Tongwei Analytical Technology Co Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    40Ar/39Ar and (U-Th) He geochronology of supergene minerals and the geomorphological evolution of southeastern Goias State
    Sao Paulo State University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry (CGMS) - Achieving excellence in isotope geochemistry and geochronology
    UQ Research Facilities Infrastructure Grants
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Australian Membership of the International Ocean Discovery Program (ARC LIEF project administered by The Australian National University)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Next-generation multi-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) with laser-ablation capability for in situ high-throughput and high resolution isotope dating and characterizat
    UQ Major Research Facility Fund
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    The paleoenvironmental evolution of Earth and Mars
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    Biogeochemistry of ferruginous duricrusts
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    Bioleaching of copper in tropical systems
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Detection of organic compounds within iron-cemented duricrusts (canga)
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Australian Membership of the International Ocean Discovery Program (ARC LIEF Grant administered by the Australian National University)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Precise cross-calibration of 40Ar/39Ar, Rb-Sr and U-Pb chronometers: towards an integrated geochronology toolbox
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program - AS133/XFM/7225: Implications for biosphere in major and trace element distributions in terrestrial Fe-oxide deposits and oceanic Fe-Mn-oxide accumulations
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    ITV Mining VTC Project - Process Integration and Optimisation
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2019
    Geochronological and thermochronological investigation of rock samples recovered from the Brazilian sedimentary basins
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    A world-class rock magnetic facility to support Australian palaeomagnetic and environmental research (ARC LIEF Grant administered by ANU)
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Events through time: eruptions, extinctions, impacts, orebodies and orogenies - upgrading the national argon geochronology network (ARC LIEF Grant administered by ANU)
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Instrumentation for elemental analysis of geological and environmental samples
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Innovatiove approach to teaching and learning in field-based capstone geology courses
    UQ Teaching & Learning Strategic Grants
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Fully automated and OH&S compliant geological, biological, and environmental preparation facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009
    The future of palaeoclimate and archaeological research in Australia: next generation instrumentation for chronology and environmental reconstruction
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2009
    UQ Virtual Facility for Thermochronology, Noble Gas Geochemistry and Geochronology
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    Geochemistry, mineral geochemistry and geochronology of rock masses in Queensland based on outputs from University of Queensland Department of Earth Sciences Queensland
    Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Investigating the structure and evolution of the Continental Crust: A Virtual Facility for thermochronology, noble gas geochemistry and geochronology
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    Australian membership of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) (ARC LIEF Administered by Australian National University)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Aseismic ridge subduction and the formation of ore deposits: tracking porphyry mineralisation in space and time
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Weathering on Mars and Australian Analogues: Developing Suitable Chronological Tools and Theoretical Approaches
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Mineral Physics and Crystal Chemistry of Ni-Co-Laterite Deposits
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Structural controls on sulphide-gold mineralisation in the Quadrilatero Ferrifero, Brazil
    AngloGold Peru
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Weathering history and cenozoic landscape evolution in Northern Queensland and New Caledonia
    ARC Australian Research Council International F/S
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Structure of non-linear optic LB films (ISIS); Hydrogen location and water mobility in jarosites (ILL)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Developing new geochronological techniques to constrain time scales for the operation of weathering processes: U-Pb and Rb-Sr dating of manganese oxides and coexisting autunite
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1998
    The enrichment of banded iron formations: a microanalytical study
    Hammersley Iron Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1999
    Weathering history, landscape evolution, and paleoenvironmental conditions deduced from K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar dating of weathering profiles in Queensland
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Electrical resistivity techniques in regolith characterisation, the study of regolith evolution, and exploration of lateritic deposits
    Queensland Nickel Industries Limited
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Ages and paletemperatures of continental weathering reaction from Isotopic analysis of supergene silica minerals
    University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1996
    Construction of a laser-heating and resistance furnace extraction line for the regional 40Ar/39Ar Istope facility at the University of Queensland; K-Ar and 40 Ar dating of laterites and deep weatherin
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Travel only to Berkeley Geochronology Centre, California, USA
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Paulo Vasconcelos is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

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