Overview
Background
I am a geochronologist and isotope geochemist developing and applying novel in situ dating techniques: Lu-Hf in apatite to date mafic rocks, and Rb-Sr in mica to date lithium-bearing pegmatites and exploring other isotopic system.Using laser ablation triple quadrupole ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS/MS), I measure isotopes directly in minerals.This preserves textural context, links ages to specific mineral growth zones.
My research focuses on:
- Lu-Hf apatite geochronology of layered mafic intrusions and detrial zircon and apatite provenance study
- In situ Rb-Sr dating of lepidolite and muscovite to determine timing of later hydrothermal alteration from primary crystallisation in LCT pegmatites
- Providing reliable timing to improve mineral exploration and critical minerals targeting using different isotopic system in different mineral deposits
- Sr isoptopes in apatite particular focus on isotope fingerprinting of critical mineral deposits
Expertise: geochronology, isotope geochemistry, LA-ICP-MS/MS, Lu-Hf, Rb-Sr, U-Pb, apatite, mica, mafic rocks, pegmatites, lithium, critical minerals, mineral exploration
Availability
- Dr Melissa Kharkongor is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Masters (Research) of Geology and Mineralogy, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research
- Masters (Research) of Geology, University of Paris
- Doctor of Philosophy of Geochronology, University of Adelaide
Research impacts
New capability: the first direct dating of apatite from mafic rocks These types of rocks provide at least 70% of global critical metals Pt and Rh and up to 80% of global Ni. All these critical metals are irreplaceable in electric cars, hydrogen technologies, and the semiconductor industry. My work has provided a step-change in our ability to age-date the origin of deposits in mafic and ultramafic rocks, directly improving targetingn strategies and reducing exploration risk in critical mineral discovery
Industry and government links: collaborating with critical minerals industry and government agencies to apply these tools to exploration
Building skills in Queensland: training PhD students and visiting researchers in the new methods
Recognition: published in leading journals in geology, invited to present at other universities and specialist workshops, and a finalist in the STEM Sisters Women of Colour in STEM awards
Works
Search Professor Melissa Kharkongor’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Geochronological and geochemical insights into episyenite metasomatic overprint in the Proterozoic Suomenniemi rapakivi granite complex (Finland)
Abersteiner, Adam, Ramo, O. Tapani, Kontonikas-Charos, Alkis, Kharkongor, Melissa, Karampelas, Nikolaos, Gilbert, Sarah E., Wade, Ben, Ambroziak-Murzyn, Karolina, Lloyd, Jarred C., Beier, Christoph and Glorie, Stijn (2025). Geochronological and geochemical insights into episyenite metasomatic overprint in the Proterozoic Suomenniemi rapakivi granite complex (Finland). Lithos, 516 108269. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2025.108269
2025
Journal Article
Apatite in situ Lu-Hf and U-Pb geochronology in layered mafic intrusions
Kharkongor, Melissa, Glorie, Stijn, Abersteiner, Adam, Dare, Sarah, Kirkland, Christopher, Chew, David, Mulder, Jacob and Gilbert, Sarah (2025). Apatite in situ Lu-Hf and U-Pb geochronology in layered mafic intrusions. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 404, 234-256. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2025.07.027
2025
Journal Article
Eoarchean apatite uncovers felsic foundations of the Pilbara Craton
Kharkongor, Melissa, Mulder, Jacob A., Glorie, Stijn, Kirkland, Christopher L., Zoleikhaei, Yousef, Gilbert, Sarah, Cawood, Peter, Hawkesworth, Chris and Chew, David (2025). Eoarchean apatite uncovers felsic foundations of the Pilbara Craton. Geology, 53 (9), 790-794. doi: 10.1130/g53198.1
2023
Journal Article
Apatite laser ablation Lu-Hf geochronology: a new tool to date mafic rocks
Kharkongor, Melissa B. K., Glorie, Stijn, Mulder, Jacob, Kirkland, Christopher L., Chew, David, Kohnd, Barry and Simpson, Alexander (2023). Apatite laser ablation Lu-Hf geochronology: a new tool to date mafic rocks. Chemical Geology, 636 121630. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2023.121630
2023
Conference Publication
Laser ablation Lu-Hf geochronology of mafic igneous apatite and detrital apatite
Kharkongor, Melissa, Glorie, Stijn, Mulder, Jacob, Kirkland, Chris, Chew, David and Kohn, Barry (2023). Laser ablation Lu-Hf geochronology of mafic igneous apatite and detrital apatite. Goldschmidt2023, Lyon, France, 9-14 July 2026. Aubière, France: European Association of Geochemistry. doi: 10.7185/gold2023.15711
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Melissa Kharkongor is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
Enquiries
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