Seeing minerals in a different light
Monica leGras brings a unique creative perspective to the CSIRO Mineral Resources and AuScope NVCL team. Image: AuScope
Many of us admire minerals for their array of curious habits and colours, and maybe even their acclaimed ‘healing’ properties. But geologist Monica leGras from CSIRO Mineral Resources sees them in a slightly different light — plain and infrared light to be precise — as she helps geologists to interpret results from spectroscopic analysis in the quest for locating new critical mineral deposits across Australia.
Here we discuss Monica’s work as part of our National Virtual Core Library (NVCL) program; as well as her love of mineralogy and fostering creativity in science.
So Monica, tell us what you do at CSIRO.
I work as a geologist and research technician at CSIRO Mineral Resources in Perth. I do a little bit of everything: collect geological samples, prepare and analyse them, work with engineers to transform the resulting data into products and procedures and then, communicate results at conferences and workshops, or as papers.
At the moment, I am working on spectral reference libraries for NVCL to help geologists at state and territory geological surveys to interpret vast quantities of mineralogy data drawn from drill holes around Australia.
Ultimately, these libraries give geologists greater confidence in the data they are interpreting, and help them to better locate new deposits of critical minerals in Australia and expedite the nation’s transition to clean energy.
I have also been experimenting with training thermal infrared spectral data to quantify elements like lithium that cannot be detected by common analytical techniques like x-ray fluorescence. I’m having success with predicting how much lithium is contained within a rock, as well as recognising the specific minerals that lithium is hosted in. This can be done with handheld instruments at the mine site or in the field.
How did you get into geology?
I studied at The University of New South Wales and initially, I went along to their open day already signed up for a fine arts degree. Then I stumbled upon a geology presentation where they were talking about soil sampling in the field. Something about that activity really appealed to my sense of adventure.
...and your favourite area in geology?
Mineralogy!
Of course! And your favourite mineral?
Definitely kosmochlor. It is a chrome version of jadeite that is generally known to form in meteorites, though it does occur at one locality on earth — and I managed through NVCL to get a reference spectrum for a sample there! The analytical results show really nice chrome features in the visible part of the spectrum, resulting in a big reflectance peak at the exact wavelength of the colour green: the mineral is indeed green, and extremely beautiful! *laughs*
The greenest thing Monica has ever seen, kosmochlor! Superman might also fancy it. Image: Monica leGras
Have you found a way to weave your interests in the arts into science?
Yes! I’m so pleased to find that science involves creativity, too!
And if you are not feeling pressured to be creative, as you might be in a traditionally creative role, creativity then of course flows. It is a mostly subconscious process that works best when you don’t solicit it.
I think CSIRO is pretty good at supporting creativity, and AuScope, too. We are all encouraged to creatively communicate our work in an engaging format.
I think there is great value in merging the arts with science, you can create a whole new perspective between the two. I think science tries to approximate reality and the arts shape your perception of it.
What is the best part of your job?
The people I work with, and the ideas that they share with me.
And the biggest challenge in it?
Communicating with the right balance of complexity and simplicity. You can very easily assume that people have preexisting knowledge where they do not, and so you present your work and no one knows what it means which is pointless for all concerned.
What is your favourite hobby outside of work?
I like video editing. And running because it is meditative. I’m interested in psychology, but that is not really a hobby... *laughs*
Thank you so much, Monica, it has been a pleasure.
Thanks very much, Jo!
AUTHOR
Jo Condon, AuScope
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