Wen-lu is attempting to find out how the structure of these rocks affects these chemical reactions with the hydrothermal fluid. One of the most important structural components of the rocks she is studying is their pore geometry. The rocks contain pores or holes in them which can be large enough to see or can be microscopic. If the pores are interconnected, the hydrothermal fluid can pass right through the rock. Stereo 3-D microstructure of a deformed Darley Dale sandstone sample.
Lighter area represents pores.
This device is similar to the ones hospitals use to find tumors and bone fractures. Another important physical parameter that tells how fast a fluid can flow through a rock is the rock's permeability. They use a gas flow meter to measure the rocks permeability or speed in which material can flow through the rock. Currently they are examining the structure of the rocks at room temperature and at one atmosphere of pressure. In the future, they plan to heat the rock up to 350 C which is the temperature the rocks experience in the hydrothermal vents.