b'AEGC 2021Short abstracts195: Halloysite NanoTubesThe new economy mineral4 International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, University to ensure every organisation achieves Net Zero Carbonof Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth 6009 WA, AustraliaEmissions 5 4 Anglo American Group Discovery and Geosciences, 201 Dr Antonio Belperio 1 Charlotte Street, Brisbane 4000 QLD, Australia1 Minotaur Exploration Ltd Magnetotellurics (MT) and passive seismic are geophysical methods commonly used to characterise the cover-basement Natural Nanotech Pty Ltd (NNT) is a research andinterface. This study investigated a new approach to bring commercialisation joint venture, jointly owned by Minotaurpassive-seismic horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) Exploration (ASX: MEP) and Andromeda Metals (ASX: ADN),model constraints into MT resistivity models to reduce formed to investigate nanotechnology applications foruncertainties in estimating cover-basement interface.halloysite. Halloysite is the nanotubular version of the common, platy clay mineral kaolinite. Halloysite is globally-rare, butInverting MT apparent resistivity and phase data using Occams present in great abundance in several world-class kaolin- inversion algorithm yields the smoothest model that describes halloysite resources recently defined on western Eyre Peninsula.the observations with an acceptable misfit. However, the NNT is working with the University of Newcastles Globalresulting smoothest model is not sensitive for sharp resistivity Innovation Center for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN) on newcontrasts, which is critical to identify the cover-basement high-tech applications for this halloysite nanotube material. interface. HVSR interface-depth model, which detects possible cover-basement interface depth ranges, is used to control the The research with GICAN has confirmed the natural nanotubes, andMT inversion regularisation to support the depth interface engineered nanoporous materials produced therefrom, includingprediction in MT inversion. It is assumed that the prior interface-Fullerenes, have remarkable selective adsorptive properties thatdepth model generated from passive seismic HVSR models can can be used in a range of potential industrial applications. detect possible interfaces up to 1500m depths.These include Carbon capture and conversion; HydrogenWe created a two-layer synthetic model with 20m cover storage; Remediation of wastewater; Detoxification ofresistivity, 1000m basement resistivity and cover-basement pollutants; Energy storage technologies; Antibacterialinterface at 1000m depth. The 1-D MT forward response (with applications; and Herbicide and pesticide applications. frequencies ranging from 104 to 103 Hz) was calculated using the impedance recursive approach, and 5% random noise The unique properties of NNTs nanomaterials that make themwas added to the synthetic responses. We assumed a cover-so amenable to these applications are their enormous surfacebasement interface predicted by the HVSR modelling to be in area per unit weight, their porous nature and differentialthe range between 750 m and 1250 m depth.charge capabilities between inner and outer surfaces. Indeed the natural nanotubes have proven to be superior to highlyThe new constraining method was tested with the unconstrained expensive synthetic carbon nanotubes in this wide varietymethods minimum gradient support regularisation and depth of environmental applications. The deposits of western Eyreweighted regularisations. The new approach was able to Peninsula, hosting the greatest known global concentration ofrecover steep resistivity contrasts at predicted depths. Minimum halloysite nanotubes, provide an invaluable new technologyresistivity model oscillations were detected close to the correct base for Australian industry. (cover-basement interface) depth prediction, and interface detection uncertainty was reduced significantly.Having demonstrated potential applications at the laboratory scale the research partners are building a pilot plant for197: Probabilistic modelling of groundwater salinity commercial scale sample preparation and industrial testwork, with particular reference to CO 2capture and conversion into cleanusing borehole and AEM datafuels. The aim is to provide any organisation with the technologyMr Neil Symington, Dr Anandaroop Ray , Mr Chris Harris-1to capture CO 2at their industrial output scale thereby providing aPascal, Dr Kok Piang Tan, Dr Ley-Cooper Yusen, Dr Brodie Ross pathway for them to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions withoutColin and Dr Taylor Richardunduly impacting their industrial process route.1 Geoscience Australia196: How to enhance magnetotellurics (MT) resistivityGroundwater is a critical resource across Australia for model resolution using passive seismic HVSR depthsupporting human consumption, stock water, agricultural models to identify the cover-basement interface use, and mineral or energy extraction. However, the quality of Australian groundwater varies enormously from Mr Nuwan Suriyaarachchi 1,2, Dr Jeremie Graud1,2, Dr Hoelpotable to hyper-saline. To evaluate the suitability of a Seille3, Dr Mark Lindsay1,2, Dr Vitaliy Ogarko4, Dr Lachlangroundwater resource, the spatial distribution of salinity Hennessy5 and Prof Mark Jessell1,2 within an aquifer is typically estimated by measuring the electrical conductivity (EC) of groundwater samples 1 Centre of Exploration Targeting, School of Earth Sciences,from within boreholes or extracted from aquifer material. University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth 6009However, drilling is a logistically and economically WA, Australia challenging task, and we are usually left with a sparse set 2 Mineral Exploration Cooperative Research Centre (MinEx CRC),of measurements from which to infer groundwater salinity School of Earth Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35over large spatial extents.Stirling Highway, Perth 6009 WA, Australia3 CSIRO, Deep Earth Imaging FSP, Australian Resources ResearchAirborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveying is a geophysical Centre, 26 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington WA 6151, Australia. technique for estimating the bulk electrical conductivity of the AUGUST 2021 PREVIEW 96'