Dr. Sourabh Bhattacharya

@iisermohali.ac.in

Assistant Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali

Dr. Sourabh Bhattacharya


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https://researchid.co/sbgeologist
My research focuses on the intricate world of granite-affiliated metallogenic processes, which pave the path to the economic crustal enrichment of metals such as Cu, Au, W, Sn, U, and others. In particular, I explore the physico-chemical signals for metal (Au, Cu, W, Sn etc.) fertility through various stages of granite evolution and tie up these records with crustal evolution. The main thrust is addressing the factors that promote metal endowment through the course of melt extraction, its evolution and subsequent hydrothermal degassing of magma. I employ a spectrum of methodologies, including, but not limited to, petrological phase equilibria modelling, mineral-chemical analysis, fluid inclusion heating-freezing experiments, and stable isotope measurements.

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Economic Geology, Geochemistry and Petrology, Geology
18

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • Fe sourcing and CO2-driven fluid evolution in tungsteniferous granite-greisen systems: Insights from Balda prospect, NW India
    Jitendra Kumar Roy, Aditya Naik, Prakash Kumar Sahoo, Rohit Pandey, Jiří Sláma, Ewa Słaby, Sourabh Bhattacharya
    Lithos, 2026
  • Control of anatectic source rock and melt segregation on metal fertility of W–Sn granites in Sirohi region, NW India
    Jitendra Kumar Roy, Aditya Naik, Sourabh Bhattacharya
    International Journal of Earth Sciences, 2025
  • Multistage magmatic and post-magmatic evolution of the Neoarchaean Closepet Batholith of Dharwar Craton in southern India - insights from the texture and chemical composition of titanite
    Wiktoria Gmochowska, Ewa Słaby, Anna Gumsley, Gabriela A. Kozub-Budzyń, Sourabh Bhattacharya
    Lithos, 2024
    Titanite is often used to describe the path of igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal processes. Therefore, titanite can unravel the multistage magmatic and post-magmatic evolution of granitoids. In this study, we present a comprehensive study of the ca. 2.57–2.51 Ga Closepet Batholith in the Dharwar Craton of southern India using titanite. This granitoid body provides a unique opportunity as various structural levels of the batholith are continuously outcropping. The textural and geochemical studies of titanite, supported by U Pb isotopic dating, allowed us to distinguish five generations of magmatic and hydrothermal titanite. Three types of magmatic titanite demonstrate stage-growth crystallization (type I) and a change from reduced, high-temperature (type II) to oxidised, low-temperature conditions (type III). Hydrothermal titanite is recorded as altered titanite with zoned to patchy textures and secondary fractures and veinlets (type IV) and titanite inclusions within biotite (type V). Hydrothermal titanite (type IV) shows depletion in rare earth elements and high-field strength elements, indicating mobilization of those elements by a fluid. U Pb dating by LA-ICP-MS of magmatic titanite type I yielded ages of ca. 2.5 Ga, consistent with the timing of formation of the Closepet Batholith. The relationship between titanite textures and chemistry indicates that titanite serves as a recorder of the multistage magmatic and post-magmatic evolution of the Closepet Batholith. In addition, our study shows that hydrothermal activity affected a large area, with fluids circulating over long distances within the upper structural levels of the Closepet Batholith. • The Closepet Batholith formed during multistage processes. • Titanite is a recorder of the multistage magmatic and post-magmatic evolution. • Textural and chemical signatures of titanite allow provide insight into its origin.
  • Hydrothermal alteration of accessory minerals (allanite and titanite) in the late Archean Closepet granitoid (Dharwar Craton, India): A TEM study
    Wiktoria Gmochowska, Richard Wirth, Ewa Słaby, Robert Anczkiewicz, Arkadiusz Krzątała, Vladimir Roddatis, Jiří Sláma, Gabriela A. Kozub-Budzyń, Sourabh Bhattacharya, Anja Schreiber
    Geochemistry, 2024
    Allanite, a member of the epidote supergroup, is a widespread rare earth element (REE)-rich accessory mineral in the late Archean Closepet batholith (Dharwar craton, India). It is commonly associated with titanite. Previously recognized shear zones served as preferential paths for magma and later fluids. As a response to hydrothermal activity, allanite exhibits complex alteration textures, geochemical features, and breakdown products that vary across the batholith. In the central zone, allanite displays the largest variations. It has decomposed into secondary allanite, bastnäsite, chlorite, thorite, calcite, pyrite, and galena. In the southern zone, magmatic allanite core is preserved. The alteration products in the marginal regions are limited to secondary allanite, bastnäsite, chlorite, thorite, and synchysite. The breakdown products and textural features of allanite in the northern intrusions differ strongly from those in the other zones of the Closepet batholith and are limited to secondary allanite and chamosite. However, nanoscale element remobilization at the interface between allanite and titanite is evident. The observed texture in allanite indicates a complete dissolution–reprecipitation process. The chemical variations and differences in alteration products after allanite indicate that the fluid composition changed along the Closepet granitoid. The fluids that altered the allanite were most likely F-, Cl-, and CO2-rich and alkaline but eventually became acidic. When the chlorine-bearing fluids reached the northern zone, the concentrations or active contributions of CO2, F and H2S were very low. The alteration products (bastnäsite, chlorite, and thorite) indicate a rather low-temperature fluid.
  • Insights into the anatectic origin of granites parental to tungsten mineralization: A case study from the trans-Aravalli terrane, NW India
    Jitendra Kumar Roy, Aditya Naik, Sourabh Bhattacharya
    Resource Geology, 2024
    Potential progenitors for W (±Sn) deposits include peraluminous granites of S‐type affinity. The anatectic origin of such granites parental to W mineralization has received little attention. This study focuses on Balda Granite (BG), a peraluminous intrusion parental to W‐rich ore bodies in the Sirohi region (NW India). We reflect upon the potential source for BG and investigate its anatectic origin through open‐system phase equilibria modeling. On the prograde path, muscovite‐ and biotite‐dehydration reactions at 675–745°C and 755–870°C yield ~10 and 13 wt.% melt, respectively. Si, K, Al, and Fe contents of the cumulative melt increased with progressive anatexis. Modeling results suggest high‐T (>800°C) stability of the peritectic garnet, which is abundantly observed in the leucosome‐dominated migmatitic patches. Cumulative melt extracted till 868°C was chosen to model the crystal fractionation along three polybaric gradients of 30, 45, and 60°C/kbar. As the modeled anatectic melt cooled, its peraluminosity and maficity decreased progressively. With the intermediate cooling gradient of 45°C/kbar, the melt achieved complete crystallization at ~7 km, the depth at which the BG had been emplaced and evolved into a W‐rich residual (fractionated) model melt. In terms of peraluminosity, and major and trace element (Lu, Sc, Dy, Y, Yb) chemistry, the fractionated (residual) model melt compares well with BG. This study also models the W concentration in the anatectic melt during its generation and fractional crystallization. We argue for the origin of BG through high‐T anatexis of Sirohi Group metapelites and cooling (and fractional crystallization) of the parent anatectic melt at the maximum gradient of 45°C/kbar. Thus, a high‐T anatectic origin of granites parental to W deposits may be more prevalent than so far inferred.
  • Records of fluid-rock interactions in the Degana tungsten deposit, India: Inferences from mineral paragenesis, whole-rock and mineral chemistry, and fluid inclusions
    Jitendra Kumar Roy, Sourabh Bhattacharya
    Ore Geology Reviews, 2022
    The Degana Granite, a F-rich, peraluminous, Neoproterozoic intrusion in NW India hosts the richest tungsten deposit in the country. This study on the Degana W deposit outlines its alteration history, and nature (and evolution) of pre-ore and ore-stage fluids. Moderate salinity (5.4 to 9.6 wt% NaCl equiv.), H2O-CO2 fluids with nearly consistent CO2/(H2O + CO2) ratios of 0.05–0.07 represent the magmatic stage. A pervasive, post-magmatic K (±Na) alteration occurred in a fluid regime dominated by moderate salinity H2O-CO2 fluids. In subsequent alteration stages, the activity of greisen fluids led to the development of steeply-dipping quartz veins (poorly-mineralized), sub-parallel wolframite-bearing greisenized granitic wall-rock (main ore body), and and a late phase of stockwork-type greisen veins. The greisenization is attributed to the incursion of moderate to high salinity (12–22 wt%) H2O-CO2 ore fluids. Such fluids led to K-feldspar and muscovite hydrolysis, and the growth of lithian ferroan muscovite, secondary topaz, and wolframite (±cassiterite, fluorite). Greisenization introduced additional Fe and Li (+W, Sn) in the wall-rock zone and concomitantly leached out Na, K, Cu, Ba, Sr, U, Zr, and Th. Greisen fluids caused Fe leaching along with incorporation of Li in the micas. The compositions of tri- and di-octahedral micas are controlled by distinct substitution mechanisms --VILi1+1 IVSi4+2 VIAl3+1 VIξ1 VIFe2+-3 IVAl3+-2, and VILi1+4 IVSi4+1 VIFe2+ -1 IVAl3+-1 VIAl3+-1 VIξ-2 (where ξ = vacancy), respectively. We constrain the P-T conditions of W enrichment (380–450 °C and 1.2–1.8 kbar) by means of isochore intersections for coexisting aqueous and carbonic fluid inclusions hosted in greisenized wall rock. The fall in pH of the ore fluid due to fluid-silicate hydrolysis in concomitance with H2O-CO2 immiscibility promoted the decrease in W solubility and subsequent wolframite precipitation. It is surmised that the pervasive, post-magmatic potassic alteration that preceded the ore mineralization acted as a critical pre-conditioning process for ore formation. Both tri- and di-octahedral micas were critical for W enrichment, the former being the likely source for Fe (+W, Sn), and the latter as a reactant for pH-neutralization of greisen fluid, thereby limiting its W solubility.
  • Clue on ocean redox condition from trace element and rare earth element (REE) composition of iron formation and carbonate rocks from the late paleoproterozoic morar formation, Gwalior group, central India
    Pritam P. PAUL, Partha Pratim CHAKRABORTY, Fumito SHIRAISHI, Kaushik DAS, Atsushi KAMEI, Sourabh BHATTACHARYA
    Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences, 2020
    Trace element and rare earth element (REE) composition of iron formation and carbonate rocks from the Morar Formation, Gwalior Group, central India provides valuable information on the redox condition of late Paleoproterozoic Ocean. Facies types of iron formation suggest deposition in various oceanic environments ranging from shoreface – beach to subtidal shelf settings, whereas carbonates belong to shallow and deep subtidal settings. La/Nd values between 0.57 and 25, MREE enrichment and small negative (0.69) to positive (1.46) Ce anomaly in iron formation suggest a strati fi ed character for the Gwalior Sea with development of shallow transitional redoxcline. Whereas deep sea is interpreted as near anoxic and ferruginous, the shallow sea was not very high in dissolved oxygen (DO 2 ) either. A suboxic to mild oxic shallow sea condition (DO 2 ≥ 0.2 µM) is interpreted allowing Mn (II) oxidation and Ce sequestration. Carbonates, however, do not register any geochemical signature of redoxcline possibly because of the depositional setting either close to or below the redoxcline.
  • Dissecting through the metallogenic potentials of precambrian granitoids: Case studies from the bastar and eastern dharwar cratons, india
    Dinesh Pandit, Sourabh Bhattacharya, Mruganka K. Panigrahi
    Geological Society Special Publication, 2020
    The Malanjkhand granodiorite in the Bastar Craton hosts a major copper (+ molybdenum) deposit. It represents a Precambrian granite–ore system lacking in key morphological features of porphyry-type deposits but is comparable as a chemical package with a distinct mode of evolution of the magmatic-hydrothermal system. Mineral chemistry of biotite and apatite along with bulk geochemical data constrain critical parameters such as initial water and halogen contents of the magma. Evolution of the magmatic-hydrothermal fluid has been envisaged with available thermobarometric data. A quantitative ore genetic model in terms of efficiency of removal of metals and resultant mineralization in terms of quantity of metals has been attempted for the Malanjkhand deposit. The Eastern Dharwar Craton witnessed prolific granitic activities in multiple phases during the Late Archean and are spatially close to auriferous schist belts. Against a widely held view of a single metamorphogenic origin of metal and ore fluid, a granite–gold connection can be visualized for the auriferous schist belts of the Eastern Dharwar Craton through comparison of fluid characteristics in the granitoid and ore regimes and mineral chemical constraints. Although a quantitative genetic link between the granitoid and gold would need more data, a magmatic component of the ore fluid could be established based on the available information.
  • Origin of granodiorite hosted Neoarchaean orogenic gold ore deposits: Stable isotopic and geochemical constraints with example from the Dharwar craton, southern India
    M. Kesarwani, S. Sarangi, R. Srinivasan, B.G. George, S.K Singh, S. Bhattacharya, V.N. Vasudev
    Ore Geology Reviews, 2019
  • Volatiles associated with granitoid intrusives around orogenic gold deposits in Ramagiri and Penakacherla regions of Eastern Dharwar Craton, South India
    Sourabh Bhattacharya, Mruganka K. Panigrahi
    Journal of the Geological Society of India, 2017
    ABSTRACT The nature of magmatic fluid has been tested well in varied type of auriferous deposits. However, in context of orogenic gold deposits, there are not many studies that clearly point out the nature of fluids exsolved out of crystallizing granitoids. This study compares the fluid of late-stage magmatic origin with that causative for mineralization in gold camps of Ramagiri and Penakacherla in Eastern Dharwar Craton. Various types of fluid inclusion assemblages (FIAs) were identified in granitoid matrix quartz, pegmatites, quartz segregations and greenstone-hosted gold-quartz veins. The aqueous-carbonic (CH4-poor) and carbonic (CH4- and H2O-poor) inclusions are most common in pegmatites and quartz segregations, while the matrix quartz grains are generally devoid of CO2-bearing inclusions. On the other hand, auriferous veins in greenstone rocks show predominance of low to moderate salinity, aqueous-carbonic (variably CH4-bearing) inclusions. Inconsistencies in H2O/CO2 ratio and final homogenization properties of aqueous-carbonic inclusions within individual FIAs, apart from common occurrence of the FIA comprising aqueous-carbonic, carbonic and aqueous biphase inclusions, point to immiscibility in the ore fluid regime. Based on estimated microthermometric results, we attempt to deduce the evolution path of magmatic fluid with respect to that of fluid in ore zone. On this basis, a case for magmatic derivation of the ore fluid has been put forward. The difference in magmatic and auriferous fluid in terms of CO2/CH4 ratio are justifiable and allows us to visualize that aqueous-carbonic composition of orogenic gold fluid does not signify its exclusive origin through any particular process (or source), for example metamorphism.
  • Isotope (C and O) composition of auriferous quartz carbonate veins, central lode system, Gadag Gold Field, Dharwar Craton, India: Implications to source of ore fluids
    S.K. Swain, S. Sarangi, R. Srinivasan, A. Sarkar, S. Bhattacharya, S.C. Patel, R.M. Pasayat, R.H. Sawkar
    Ore Geology Reviews, 2015
  • Geochronological study of metasediments and carbon isotopes in associated graphites from the Sargur area, Dharwar craton: Constraints on the age and nature of the protoliths
    B. Maibam, P. Sanyal, S. Bhattacharya
    Journal of the Geological Society of India, 2015
  • Source of ore fluid in lode gold deposits of Eastern Dharwar craton: An intricate issue
    Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, 2015
  • Mineral thermobarometry and fluid inclusion studies on the Closepet granite, Eastern Dharwar Craton, south India: Implications to emplacement and evolution of late-stage fluid
    Sourabh Bhattacharya, Mruganka K. Panigrahi, M. Jayananda
    Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 2014
  • Oxygen isotope ratio of quartz veins from the auriferous Ramagiri-Penakacherla schist belt and surrounding granitoids in the Eastern Dharwar craton: A case for a possible link between gold mineralization and granite magmatism
    Sourabh Bhattacharya, M.K. Panigrahi, H.K. Sachan, Aditya Kharya
    Ore Geology Reviews, 2014
  • Heterogeneity in fluid characteristics in the Ramagiri-Penakacherla sector of the Eastern Dharwar Craton: Implications to gold metallogeny
    S. Bhattacharya, M.K. Panigrahi
    Russian Geology and Geophysics, 2011
  • Linkage of paraglacial processes from last glacial to recent inferred from Spituk sequence, Leh valley, Ladakh Himalaya
    Dhananjay A. Sant, Sudesh K. Wadhawan, Rajinder K. Ganjoo, Nathani Basavaiah, Prabhin Sukumaran, Sourabh Bhattacharya
    Journal of the Geological Society of India, 2011
  • Morphostratigraphy and palaeoclimate appraisal of the Leh valley, Ladakh Himalayas, India
    Dhananjay A. Sant, Sudesh K. Wadhawan, Rajinder K. Ganjoo, Nathani Basavaiah, Prabhin Sukumaran, Sourabh Bhattacharya
    Journal of the Geological Society of India, 2011