Equilibrium coexistence of three amphiboles

Electron probe and wet chemical analyses of amphibole pairs from the sillimanite zone of central Massachusetts and adjacent New Hampshire indicated that for a particular metamorphic grade there should be a restricted composition range in which three amphiboles can coexist stably. An unequivocal example of such an equilibrium three amphibole rock has been found in the sillimanite-orthoclase zone. It contains a colorless primitive clinoamphibole, space group P2₁/m, optically and chemically like cummingtonite with blue-green hornblende exsolution lamellae on (100) and (¯101) of the host; blue-green hornblende, space group C2/m, with primitive cummingtonite exsolution lamellae on (100) and (¯101) of the host; and pale pinkish tan anthophyllite, space group Pnma, that is free of visible exsolution lamellae but is a submicroscopic intergrowth of two orthorhombic amphiboles. Mutual contacts and coarse, oriented intergrowths of two and three host amphiboles indicate the three grew as an equilibrium assemblage prior to exsolution. Electron probe analyses at mutual three-amphibole contacts showed little variation in the composition of each amphibole. Analyses believed to represent most closely the primary amphibole compositions gave atomic proportions on the basis of 23 oxygens per formula unit as follows: for primitive cummingtonite (Na_0.02Ca_0.21 ^– Mn_0.06Fe²⁺ _2.28Mg_4.12Al_0.28) (Al_0.17Si_7.83), for hornblende (Na_0.35Ca_1.56Mn_0.02Fe_1.71Mg_2.85Al_0.92) (Al_1.37Si_6.63), and for anthophyllite (Na_0.10Ca_0.06Mn_0.06Fe_2.25Mg_4.11Al_0.47) (Al_0.47Si_7.53). The reflections violating C-symmetry, on X-ray single crystal photographs of the primitive cummingtonite, are weak and diffuse, and suggest a partial inversion from a C-centered to a primitive clinoamphibole. Single crystal photographs of the anthophyllite show split reflections indicating it is an intergrowth of about 80% anthophyllite and about 20% gedrite which differ in their b crystallographic dimensions. Split reflections are characteristic of all analyzed orthorhombic amphiboles so far examined from Massachusetts and New Hampshire except the most aluminous gedrites, and the relative intensity of the gedrite reflections is roughly proportional to the degree of Na and Al substitution. Thin sections of a few of these anthophyllite specimens show lamellae parallel to (010) that are just resolved with a high power objective.Publication approved by the Director, U.S. Geological Survey.     

A new pair of coexisting amphiboles : the grünerite and ferropargasite pair

A new coexisting amphibole pair was recently found in the Jianshan iron deposit, Loufan of Shanxi Province, China. Electron microprobe analysis shows that the coexisting pair is composed of grünerite K_0.001 (Na_0.027 Ca_0.073 Mn_0.031 Fe _1.801 ²⁺ )_1.932 (Fe _2.948 ²⁺ Mg_1.964 Ti_0.002 Al_0.087)₅Si_8.069 O_22.10(OH)₂ and ferropargasite (K_0.135 Na_0.461)_0.596 (Na_0.088 Ca_1.853 Mn_0.005 Fe _0.072 ²⁺ )₂(Mn_0.005Fe _2.789 ²⁺ Mg_0.875Ti_0.021Fe _0.499 ³⁺ Al_0.812)₅(Si_6.103Al_1.897)₈O_22.00(OH)₂. The two kinds of amphiboles occur in amphibole schist not only as separate phenocrysts, but also are combined to form “single-crystal” phenocrysts in the form of topotactic intergrowths with the common c- and b-axes. The boundary between topotactic grünerite and ferropargasite is optically and chemically sharp. In comparison with the coexisting ferromagnesian amphibole and calcic amphibole pair discovered by predecessors, the newly discovered pair has lower Mg/Fe ratios and wider miscibility gaps.     

Phlogopite and quartz lamellae in diamond‐bearing diopside from marbles of the Kokchetav massif,Kazakhstan: exsolution or replacement reaction?

Exsolution lamellae of pyroxene in garnet (grt), coesite in titanite and omphacite from UHPM terranes are widely accepted as products of decompression. However, interpretation of oriented lamellae of phyllosilicates, framework silicates and oxides as a product of decompression of pyroxene is very often under debate. Results are presented here of FIB‐TEM, FEG‐EMP and synchrotron‐assisted infrared (IR) spectroscopy studies of phlogopite (Phlog) and phlogopite + quartz (Qtz) lamellae in diamond‐bearing clinopyroxene (Cpx) from ultra‐high pressure (UHP) marble. These techniques allowed collection of three‐dimensional information from the grain boundaries of both the single (phlogopite), two‐phase lamellae (phlogopite + quartz), and fluid inclusions inside of diamond included in K‐rich Cpx and understanding their relationships and mechanisms of formation. The Cpx grains contain in their cores lamellae‐I, which are represented by topotactically oriented extremely thin lamellae of phlogopite (that generally are two units cell wide but locally can be seen to be somewhat broader) and microdiamond. The core composition is: (Ca_0.94K_0.04Na_0.02) (Al_0.06Fe_0.08Mg_0.88) (Si_1.98Al_0.02)O_6.00. Fluid inclusions rich in K and Si are recognized in the core of the Cpx, having no visible connections to the lamellae‐I. Lamellar‐II inclusions consist of micron‐size single laths of phlogopite and lens‐like quartz or slightly elongated phlogopite + quartz intergrowths; all are situated in the rim zone of the Cpx. The composition of the rim is (Ca_0.95Fe_0.03Na_0.02) (Al_0.05Fe_0.05Mg_0.90)Si₂O₆, and the rim contains more Ca, Mg then the core, with no K there. Such chemical tests support our microstructural observations and conclusion that the phlogopite lamellae‐I are exsolved from the K‐rich Cpx‐precursor during decompression. It is assumed that Cpx‐precursor was also enriched in H₂O, because diamond included in the core of this Cpx contains fluid inclusions. The synchrotron IR spectra of such diamond record the presence of OH^? stretching and H₂O bending motion regions. Lamellar‐II inclusions are interpreted as forming partly because of modification of the lamellae‐I in the presence of fluid enriched in K, Fe and Si during deformation of the host diopside; the latter is probably related to the shallower stage of exhumation of the UHP marble. This study emphasizes that in each case to understand the mechanism of lamellar inclusion formation more detailed studies are needed combining both compositional, structural and three‐dimensional textural features of lamellar inclusions and their host.     

Occurrence of wide-chain Ca-pyriboles as primary crystals in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field,California, USA

Amphiboles and pyroxenes occurring in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field were found to contain coherent intergrowths of chain silicates with other than double and single chain widths by using transmission and analytical electron microscopy. Both occur in the biotite zone at the temperature (depth) interval of 310° C (1,060 m) to 330° C (1,547m) which approximately corresponds to temperatures of the greenschist facies. The amphiboles occur as euhedral fibrous crystals occupying void space and are composed primarily of irregularly alternating (010) slabs of double or triple chains, with rare quadruple and quintuple chains. Primary crystallization from solution results in euhedral crystals. Clinopyroxenes formed mainly as a porefilling cement and subordinately as prismatic crystals coexisting with fibrous amphiboles. Fine lamellae of double and triple chains are irregularly intercalated with pyroxene. AEM analyses yield formulae (Ca_1.8Mg_2.9Fe_1.9Mn_0.1) Si₈O_21.8(OH)_1.8 (310° C) and (Ca_2.0Fe_2.5Mg_2.3) Si₈O_21.8 (OH)_2.0 (330° C) for amphiboles and (Ca_1.1Fe_0.6Mg_0.3) Si₂O₆ for clinopyroxene. Thermodynamic calculations at P_fluid=100 bar of equilibrium reactions of (1) 3 chlorite +10 calcite + 21 quartz = 3 actinolite + 2 clinozoisite + 8 H₂O + 10 CO₂ and (2) actinolite+ 3 calcite+ 2 quartz = 5 clinopyroxene + H₂O + 3 CO₂ using Mg-end member phases indicate that formation of amphibole and pyroxene require very water-rich conditions at temperatures below 330° C.Contribution No. 420 from the Mineralogical Laboratory, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan     

Thermodynamic study of calcic amphiboles

The paper reports original thermochemical data on six natural amphibole samples of different composition. The data were obtained by high-temperature melt solution calorimetry in a Tian–Calvet microcalorometer and include the enthalpies of formation from elements for actinolite Ca_1.95(Mg_4.4Fe _0.5 ²⁺ Al₀₁)[Si_8.0O₂₂](OH)₂(–12024 ± 13 kJ/mol) and Ca_2.0(Mg_2.9Fe _1.9 ²⁺ Fe _0.2 ³⁺ )[Si_7.8Al_0.2O₂₂](OH)₂, (–11462 ± 18 kJ/mol), and Na_0.1Ca_2.0(Mg_3.2Fe _1.6 ²⁺ Fe _0.2 ³⁺ )[Si_7.7Al_0.3O₂₂](OH)₂ (–11588 ± 14 kJ/mol); for pargasite Na_0.5K_0.5Ca_2.0-(Mg_3.4Fe _1.8 ²⁺ Al_0.8)[Si_6.2Al_1.8O₂₂](OH)₂ (–12316 ± 10 kJ/mol) and Na_0.8K_0.2Ca_2.0(Mg_2.8Fe _1.3 ³⁺ Al_0.9) [Si_6.1Al_1.9O₂₂](OH)₂ (–12 223 ± 9 kJ/mol); and for hastingsite Na_0.3K_0.2Ca_2.0(Mg_0.4Fe _1.3 ²⁺ Fe _0.9 ³⁺ Al_0.2) [Si_6.4Al_1.6O₂₂](OH)₂ (?10909 ± 11 kJ/mol). The standard entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy of formation are estimated for amphiboles of theoretical composition: end members and intermediate members of the isomorphic series tremolite–ferroactinolite, edenite–ferroedenite, pargasite–ferropargasite, and hastingsite.     

Lamellar pyroxene-spinel symplectites in lunar olivine from the Luna 24 regolith

Cr-Ca lamellae in a magnesian olivine grain (section 1611) from the Luna 24 regolith were investigated in detail by electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the lamellae are parallel to the (100) plane of oxygen closest packing in olivine and consist of regular vermicular intergrowths of two phases, diopside (Di) and chromite (Chr), in the volume proportion Di: Chr ≈ 3: 1. The bulk chemical composition of the lamellae is approximated as Ca₂Mg₂Fe²⁺(Cr³⁺)₂Si₄O₁₆. They are identical in phase composition to type A, F, and E symplectites from Apollo lunar samples [9]. Based on morphology and phase composition, the lamellar aggregates in the olivine grain from the Luna 24 regolith were classified as pyroxene (Px)-spinel (Spl) symplectites of a lamellar type, the formation of which was related to olivine oxidation at IW ≤ logfO₂ ≤ QFM. The obtained data indicate a solid-phase mechanism of lamella formation and the existence of a lamellar precursor phase, which transformed subsequently into the Px-Spl symplectite. It was supposed that uvarovite-knorringite garnet produced by the oxidation of olivine at high pressures and t > 800°C could be the transitional phase during symplectite formation. The subsequent conversion of the garnet into the low-pressure assemblage of Px-Spl symplectites could occur via cellular decomposition in accordance with the reaction Ca₂MgCr₂Si₃O₁₂ + (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄ = 2CaMgSi₂O₆ + FeCr₂O₄. The reported results are the first data of a detailed nanomineralogical investigation of lamellar Px-Spl symplectites in lunar olivine.     

Comparative compressibilities of majorite-type garnets

Relative compressibilities of five silicate garnets were determined by single-crystal x-ray diffraction on crystals grouped in the same high-pressure mount. The specimens include a natural pyrope [(Mg_2.84Fe_0.10Ca_0,06) Al₂Si₃O₁₂], and four synthetic specimens with octahedrally-coordinated silicon: majorite [Mg₃(MgSi)Si₃O₁₂], calcium-bearing majorite [(Ca_0.49Mg_2.51)(MgSi)Si₃0₁₂], sodium majorite [(Na_1.88Mgp_0.12)(Mg_0.06Si_1.94)Si₃O₁₂], and an intermediate composition [(Na_0.37Mg_2.48)(Mg_0.13Al_1.07 Si₀₈₀) Si₃O₁₂]. Small differences in the compressibilities of these crystals are revealed because they are subjected simultaneously to the same pressure. Bulk-moduli of the garnets range from 164.8 ± 2.3 GPa for calcium majorite to 191.5 ± 2.5 GPa for sodium majorite, assuming K′=4. Two factors, molar volume and octahedral cation valence, appear to control garnet compression.     

Thermodynamic properties of Fe-rich smectite-nontronite

The results of thermochemical studies are reported for nontronite samples from the Pinares-de-Majari (Eastern Cuba) (Sample I) and Kempirsai serpentine massif (South Urals, Kazakhstan) (Sample II). The enthalpies of formation of dehydrated hydroxyl-bearing nontronites from elements were determined by melt dissolution calorimetry using high-temperature heat-flux Tiana-Calvet microcalorimeter: Δ _f H _el ^o (298.15 K): ?4958 ± 13 kJ/mol for Mg_0.4(Fe _1.5 ³⁺ Mg_0.4Ni_0.1)[Si_3.7Al_0.3O₁₀](OH)₂ (I) and ?5003.6 ± 8.0 kJ/mol for Mg_0.3Na_0.1Ca_0.1(Fe _1.4 ³⁺ Mg_0.5Ni_0.1)[Si_3.7Al_0.3O₁₀](OH)₂ (II). It was determined experimentally that the enthalpy of dehydration (removal of molecular adsorption and interlayer water) of the studied nontronites is 6 ± 2 kJ per 1 mole H₂O. The enthalpy of formation of nontronite of theoretical composition Mg_0.15Fe ₂ ³⁺ [Si_3.7Al_0.3]O₁₀(OH)₂ was estimated at ?4750 kJ/mol. The Gibbs free energies of formation of the nontronites were calculated.     

An electron microscopic study of amphibole lamellae in augite

Ion-thinned samples of augite from four plutonic igneous rocks have been examined in the electron microscope at 100 kV. Lamellae less than 0.08 m thick were observed parallel to (010) in all four samples. Electron diffraction shows that the lamellae consist of clino-amphibole, space group I2/m, with crystallographic axes parallel to those of the augite. Analytical electron microscopy of the lamellae in one specimen shows that they are a hornblende. The amphibole lamellae have nucleated at the interface between the augite host and exsolution lamellae of orthopyroxene parallel to (100) of the augite. The interface between the amphibole lamellae and the augite is coherent.It is thought that the amphibole lamellae have formed by exsolution from the augite, implying the existence of finite solid solution between members of the pyroxene and amphibole groups of minerals.     

Solidus and subsolidus compositional relationships of some coexisting Skaergaard pyroxenes

Electron-microprobe analyses of coexisting Ca-rich and Ca-poor pyroxenes from rocks of the Skaergaard intrusion indicate that their compositional relationships are controlled by two types of tie-line in the pyroxene quadrilateral. Solidus tie-lines join bulk compositions of pairs of pyroxenes that crystallized contemporaneously from a melt at equilibrium. Subsolidus tie-lines join the compositions of lamellae and host materials in pyroxene exsolution intergrowths. The solidus tie-line for a pair of pyroxenes in a specimen and their subsolidus tie-lines do not coincide and the subsolidus tie-line for inverted pigeonite is further from the hedenbergite-ferrosilite join of the quadrilateral than that for augite.The orientation of solidus tie-lines within the pyroxene quadrilateral indicates that during the simultaneous crystallization of two pyroxenes from the Skaergaard magma there was similar partitioning of Mg and Fe in the two phases relative to the melt. The relationship of the subsolidus tie-lines of a pair of coexisting pyroxenes to their solidus tie-line indicates that during the formation of exsolution intergrowths, changes in the composition of the pyroxene matrix involved primarily a change in its CaMg+Fe ratio while those of the lamellae involved both a change in their CaMg+Fe ratio and in their MgFe ratio. The MgFe ratio of the augite lamellae in inverted pigeonite progressively increased with cooling while that of the Ca-poor lamellae in augite progressively decreased with cooling.     

Pyroxene mineral chemistry of the Jinchuan intrusion,China

Summary Chemical compositions of orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene from the Jinchuan ultramafic intrusion have been obtained by electron microprobe analysis. The Mg number (MgO/(MgO + FeO)) for both pyroxenes falls within narrow ranges, 82–87 for clinopyroxene and 81–85.5 for orthopyroxene, suggesting limited magma differentiation in regard to the present igneous body. The Al₂O₃ content ranges from 2.44 wt.% to 4.43 wt.% and increases with decreasing Mg of the pyroxenes, i.e., with the more evolved magma. This is attributed to the relatively greater effects of Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Cr₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ than that of SiO₂ on pyroxene crystallization.Negative linear relationships between Ti⁴⁺ and Si⁴⁺, and Al³⁺ and Si⁴⁺ characterize the pyroxenes. In clinopyroxene, regression of Si⁴⁺ versus Al³⁺ results in a straight line with a slope of –1.012, indicating that the decrease of Si⁴⁺ in the crystal structure is matched by an increase only in tetrahedral Al³⁺; octahedral Al³⁺ has remained relatively constant. The negative linear relationship between Ti⁴⁺ and Si⁴⁺ in clinopyroxene reflects either a greater tendency of Ti⁴⁺ to occupy octahedral sites than Al³⁺, or that replacement of Al³⁺ for Si⁴⁺ demands a more efficient charge balance. The scatter in plots of Ti⁴⁺ versus Si⁴⁺ for orthopyroxene indicates that charge balance is not as critical as structure symmetry.The crystallization temperature of pyroxene is calculated to be 1108–1229°C usingWood andBanno's (1973) two pyroxene thermometer, and is within 40°C of that calculated fromWells's (1977) thermometer. The distribution coefficient (Kd) for Mg²⁺ and Fe²⁺ between clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene is estimated to be 0.86, which is higher than that of the other intrusions and lower than that of mantle nodules, but still falls within their Kd-1/T trend. This suggests that the Kd value of pyroxene is controlled mainly by temperature.

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Mineralchemie der Pyroxene der Jinchuan-Intrusion, China

Zusammenfassung Die chemische Zusammensetzung von Orthopyroxenen und Klinopyroxenen aus der ultramafischen Jinchuan Intrusion wurden mit der Mikrosonde bestimmt. Die Mg-Zahl (MgO/(MgO + FeO)) beider Pyroxene liegt innerhalb enger Grenzen, 82–87 für Klinopyroxen und 81–85.5 für Orthopyroxen. Dies weist auf beschränkte magmatische Differentiation der Intrusion hin. Der Al₂O₃-Gehalt liegt zwischen 2.44 Gew.%. und 4.43 Gew.%. und nimmt mit der abnehmenden Mg-Zahl der Pyroxene ab, d.h. mit dem mehr entwickelten Magma. Dies wird damit erklärt, daß Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Cr₂O₃ und Fe₂O₃ einen größeren Einfluß auf die Kristallisation der Pyroxene ausüben als SiO₂.Die Pyroxene werden durch negative lineare Beziehungen zwischen Ti⁴⁺ und Si⁴⁺, sowie Al³⁺ und Si⁴⁺ charakterisiert. In Klinopyroxenen resultiert die Regression von Si⁴⁺ gegen Al³⁺ in einer geraden Linie mit einer Neigung von –1.012. Dies weist darauf hin, daß die Abnahme der Si⁴⁺ Gehalte in die Kristallstruktur durch Zunahme von ausschliesslich tetraedrischem Al³⁺ kompensiert wird; oktaedrisches Al³⁺ ist relativ konstant geblieben. Die negative lineare Beziehung zwischen Ti⁴⁺ und Si⁴⁺ in Klinopyroxenen geht entweder auf eine stärkere Tendenz des Ti₄O₂, oktaedrische Plätze zu besetzen zurück, oder darauf daß ein Ersatz von Al³⁺ für Si⁴⁺ einen effizienteren Ladungsausgleich verlangt. Die unregelmäßige Verteilung der Plots von Ti⁴⁺ gegen Si⁴⁺ in Orthopyroxenen läßt erkennen, daß Ladungsausgleich hier nicht so kritisch ist wie die Symmetrie der Struktur.Die Kristallisationstemperatur der Pyroxene wurde mit dem Zwei Pyroxenthermometer nachWood undBanno (1973) mit 1108–1229°C bestimmt. Diese Werte liegen innerhalb von 40°C des vonWells (1977) berechneten. Der Verteilungskoeffizient (Kd) für Mg²⁺ und Fe²⁺ zwischen Klinopyroxen und Orthopyroxen wird auf 0.86 berechnet; das ist höher als der aus anderen Intrusionen und niedriger als der von Mantelxenolithen, fällt aber immer noch innerhalb des Kd-1/T Trends derselben. Dies legt den Gedanken nahe, daß der Kd Wert der Pyroxene hauptsächlich durch Temperatur bestimmt wird.

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With 6 Figures     

Thermochemical study of natural montmorillonite

The paper reports results of an experimental thermochemical study (in a heat-flux Tian-Calvet microcalorimeter) of montmorillonite from (I) the Taganskoe and (II) Askanskoe deposits and (III) from the caldera of Uzon volcano, Kamchatka. The enthalpy of formation Δ _f H _el ⁰ (298.15 K) of dehydrated hydroxyl-bearing montmorillonite was determined by melt solution calorimetry: ?5677.6 ± 7.6 kJ/mol for Na_0.3Ca_0.1(Mg_0.4Al_1.6)[Si_3.9Al_0.1O₁₀](OH)₂ (I), ?5614.3 ± 7.0 kJ/mol for Na_0.4K_0.1(Ca_0.1Mg_0.3Al_1.5Fe _0.1 ³⁺ )[Si_3.9Al_0.1O₁₀](OH)₂ (II), ?5719 ± 11 kJ/mol for K_0.1Ca_0.2Mg_0.2(Mg_0.6Al_1.3Fe _0.1 ³⁺ ) [Si_3.7Al_0.3O10](OH)₂ (III), and ?6454 ± 11 kJ/mol for water-bearing montmorillonite (I) Na_0.3Ca_0.1(Mg_0.4Al_1.6)[Si_3.9Al_0.1O₁₀](OH)₂ · 2.6H₂O. The paper reports estimated enthalpy of formation for the smectite end members of the theoretical composition of K-, Na-, Mg-, and Ca-montmorillonite and experimental data on the enthalpy of dehydration (14 ± 2 kJ per mole of H₂O) and dehydroxylation (166 ± 10 kJ per mole of H₂O) for Na-montmorillonite.     

Jinshanjiangite and bafertisite from the Gremyakha-Vyrmes Alkaline Complex,Kola Peninsula

Jinshanjiangite (acicular crystals up to 2 mm in length) and bafertisite (lamellar crystals up to 3 × 4 mm in size) have been found in alkali granite pegmatite of the Gremyakha-Vyrmes Complex, Kola Peninsula. Albite, microcline, quartz, arfvedsonite, zircon, and apatite are associated minerals. The dimensions of a monoclinic unit cell of jinshanjiangite and bafertisite are: a = 10.72(2), b=13.80(2), c = 20.94(6) Å, β = 97.0(5)° and a = 10.654(6), b = 13.724(6), c = 10.863(8) Å, β = 94.47(8)°, respectively. The typical compositions (electron microprobe data) of jinshanjiangite and bafertisite are: (Na_0.57Ca_0.44)_Σ1.01(Ba_0.57K_0.44)_Σ1.01 (Fe_3.53Mn_0.30Mg_0.04Zn_0.01)_Σ3.88(Ti_1.97Nb_0.06Zr_0.01)_Σ2.04(Si_3.97Al_0.03O₁₄)O_2.00(OH_2.25F_0.73O_0.02)_Σ3.00 and (Ba_1.98Na_0.04K_0.03)_Σ2.05(Fe_3.43Mn_0.37Mg_0.03)_Σ3.83(Ti_2.02Nb_0.03)_Σ2.05 (Si_3.92Al_0.08O₁₄)(O_1.84OH_0.16)_Σ2.00(OH_2.39F_1.61)_Σ3.00, respectively. The minerals studied are the Fe-richest members of the bafertisite structural family.     

Comprehensive physicochemical study of dioctahedral palygorskite-rich clay from Marrakech High Atlas (Morocco)

This study is devoted to the physicochemical and mineralogical characterizations of palygorskite from Marrakech High Atlas, Morocco. The raw clay and its Na⁺-saturated <2 μm fraction were characterized using chemical, structural, and thermal analytical techniques. Measurements of specific surface area and porous volume are reported. The clay fraction was found to be made up of 95 % of palygorskite and 5 % of sepiolite. An original feature of this palygorskite is its deficiency in zeolitic H₂O. The half-cell structural formula of its dehydrated form was determined on the basis of 21 oxygens to be (Si_7.92Al_0.08)(Mg_2.15Al_1.4Fe_0.4Ti_0.05 $ \square_{1} $ )(Ca_0.03Na_0.08K_0.04)O₂₁, while the hydrated form could be formulated as (Si_7.97Al_0.03)(Mg_2.17Al_1.46Fe_0.40Ti_0.05)(Ca_0.03Na_0.07K_0,03)O_20.18(OH)_1.94(OH₂)_3.88·2.43 H₂O. These formulas show that the (Al³⁺+Fe³⁺)/Mg²⁺ ratio is around 0.84, revealing a pronounced dioctahedral character. Further, inside its octahedral sheet, it was determined that the inner M₁ sites are occupied by vacancies, whereas the M₂ sites are shared between 90 % of trivalent cations (78 % for Al³⁺ and 22 % for Fe³⁺), 7.5 % of Mg²⁺, and 2.5 % of Ti⁴⁺, all of them linked to 1.94 of structural hydroxyls. The two remaining Mg²⁺ by half-cell occupy edge M₃ sites and are coordinated to 3.88 molecules of OH₂. Channels of this palygorskite are deficient in zeolitic H₂O since they contain only 2.43 H₂O molecules. A correlation was found between these results and the observation of very intense and well-resolved FTIR bands arising from dioctahedral domains (mainly Al₂OH, Fe₂OH, and AlFeOH) along with very small responses from a trioctahedral domain (Mg₃OH). Accordingly, a schematic representation of the composition of the octahedral sheet was proposed. The cation exchange capacity, specific surface area, and total pore volume were also assessed to be ca. 21.2 meq/100 g, 116 m²/g, and 0.458 cm³/g, respectively.     

Oriented transformation of grunerite to clinoferrosilite at 775° C and 500 bars Argon pressure

A member of the grunerite series (Fe_6.685Mn_0.142Ca_0.110Mg_0.096) (Si_7.968Al_0.016)O₂₂(OH)₂, has been transformed to clinoferrosilite, amorphous silica and water at 775° C and 500 bars Argon pressure. Single crystal photographs of an oriented intergrowth of the amphibole and pyroxene show that the clinoferrosilite retains the cristallographic a, b and c axes of the original grunerite in the I2/m orientation and has the cell dimensions: a=9.77, b=9.08, c=5.30 Å, =109.5°; space group P2₁/c. Mössbauer resonance spectroscopy confirmed the identity of the olinoferrosilite.A transformation mechanism requires a minimum of ionic movements in an acceptor region (7/8 of the total crystal), where pyroxene is formed by expulsion of protons and acceptance of Fe²⁺ ions; simultaneous destruction of donor regions provide the Fe²⁺ ions, the residue being silica and water. The formation of metastable clinoferrosilite rather than fayalite and quartz indicates the strong structural control imposed by the host grunerite structure on the nature of the transformation products.     

Manganocummingtonite from the mesoproterozoic,Sausar fold belt,central India

Manganocummingtonite occurs with spessartine, quartz and pyrolusite in the Chikmara area, Sausar fold belt, central India. Its composition is [Ca_0.3–0.35(Mg_3.3–3.5Mn_1.6–1.8Fe²⁺ _1.4–1.5)(Si_{7.931–7.997}Al^iv _{0.003–0.069})O₂₂(OH_1.5–2.0F_0.0–0.5)] being fairly rich in Ca, which is indicative of metamorphic temperature in the amphibolite facies. The garnet contains 77.5% spessartine, 13% almandine and minor andradite, grossular and pyrope components. Unusually, there is no carbonate, pyroxene, pyroxmangite, rhodonite, magnetite or hematite. The available Al in the rock stabilized garnet and this mineral incorporated minor Fe³⁺ present in the rock as andradite component. The manganocummingtonite-garnet pairs developed at ～600°C during amphibolite facies metamorphism in low $X_{CO_2 } $ system, stabilized with $X_{Mn/(Mn + Fe^{2 + } + Mg)} $ = 0.25 to 0.28 in the amphibole and 0.85 in the garnet and formed under unusually low fO ₂ conditions for the Sausar region, near channelized fluids which deposited quartz may have controlled the fO ₂ .     

Crystal chemistry of volcanic allanites indicative of naturally induced oxidation-dehydrogenation

The crystal chemistry of volcanic allanites from both the Youngest Toba Tuff (YTT), Sumatra, Indonesia and SK100 volcanic ash beds (SK100-VAB), Niigata, Japan has been examined by electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis (FTIR), and single-crystal structure analysis. In the FTIR study, based on the Diamond ATR accessory, YTT and SK100- VAB allanites were observed to have different OH contents, respectively: the former has 0.64 wt% H₂O (OH: 0.40 apfu.), while the latter has 1.65 wt% H₂O (OH: 1.00 apfu.). The crystal structures of these two allanites have been refined to individual R indices (3.64 and 4.25) based on 1350 observed reflections (|Fo| > 4sig|Fo|) measured using a single-crystal diffractometer with MoKα X-radiation. The OH-poor YTT allanite has a shorter b axis, a longer c axis, and larger β value than the relatively OH-rich SK100-VAB one. The bond valence sums of O4 (accepter oxygen for H atom) and O10 (donor oxygen for H atom) are 1.962 and 1.709 v.u. for YTT allanite (valence sum: 3.671 v.u.) and 1.754 and 1.271 v.u. for SK100-VAB one (valence sum: 3.025 v.u.). The difference from the ideal total bond valence value (4.00 v.u.) of O4 and O10 in YTT allanite (0.33 v.u.) is smaller than that in SK100-VAB (0.98 v.u.). These difference values are also broadly consistent with the corresponding differences in OH content between the YTT (OH: 0.40 apfu.) and SK100-VAB allanites (OH: 1.00 apfu.) determined by FTIR- ATR. Chemical analyses, FTIR-ATR and crystal structure refinement of YTT and SK100-VAB allanites yielded the following crystal chemical formula: YTT: (Ca_0.83Mn²⁺ _0.06Fe²⁺ _0.11)(La_0.24Ce_0.32Pr_0.04Nd_0.11Sm_0.02Th_0.04Ca_0.21)(Al_0.73Fe³⁺ _0.19Ti_0.08)(Al_0.89Fe³⁺ _0.11)(Fe²⁺ _0.22Fe³⁺ _0.62Mg_0.16)(SiO₄)Si₂O₇O_1.6(OH)_0.4, SK100-VAB: (Ca_0.81Fe²⁺ _0.13Mn²⁺ _0.06)(La_0.22Ce_0.34Pr_0.05Nd_0.13Sm_0.02Th_0.02Ca_0.22)(Al_0.76Fe³⁺ _0.19Ti_0.05)Al_1.00(Fe²⁺ _0.73Fe³⁺ _0.17Mg_0.10)(Si_0.96Al_0.04O₄)Si₂O₇O(OH). Therefore, it is concluded that welding of the Youngest Toba Tuff caused the following post-crystallization changes to occur in YTT allanite: oxidation of Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺, release of H₂, and the concomitant replacement of OH^? by O^2?. These oxidation and dehydrogenation processes advanced during the welding to thereby produce oxyallanite. Oxyallanite had been reported only in laboratory studies where it was produced by heating natural allanite. Our report on natural oxyallanite suggests that it may be present in other welded silicic volcanic rocks as well.     

Thermochemical study Mg–Fe amphiboles

The paper presents data on the thermochemical study (high-temperature melt calorimetry in a Tian–Calvet microcalorometer) of two natural Mg–Fe amphiboles: anthophyllite Mg_2.0(Mg_4.8Fe_0.2 ²⁺)[Si_8.0O₂₂](OH)₂ from Kukh-i-Lal, southwestern Pamirs, Tajikistan, and gedrite Na_0.4Mg_2.0(Mg_1.7Fe_0.2 ²⁺Al_1.3)[Si_6.3Al_1.7O₂₂](OH)₂ from the Kola Peninsula, Russia. The enthalpy of formation from elements is obtained as–12021 ± 20 kJ/mol for anthophyllite and as–11545 ± 12 kJ/mol for gedrite. The standard entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs energy of formation are evaluated for Mg–Fe amphiboles of theoretical composition.     

Compositional limits and analogs of monoclinic triple-chain silicates

Growing recognition of triple-chain silicates in nature has prompted experimental research into the conditions under which they can form and the extent of solid solution that is feasible for some key chemical substitutions. Experiments were done primarily in the range of 0.1–0.5 GPa and 200–850 °C for durations of 18–1,034 h. A wide range of bulk compositions were explored in this study that can be classified broadly into two groups: those that are Na free and involve various possible chemical substitutions into jimthompsonite (Mg₁₀Si₁₂O₃₂(OH)₄), and those that are Na bearing and involve chemical substitutions into the ideal end-member Na₄Mg₈Si₁₂O₃₂(OH)₄. Numerous attempts to synthesize jimthompsonite or clinojimthompsonite were unsuccessful despite the type of starting material used (reagent oxides, magnesite + SiO₂, talc + enstatite, or anthophyllite). Similarly, the chemical substitutions of F⁻ for OH⁻, Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺, or Fe²⁺ for Mg²⁺, and 2Li⁺ for Mg²⁺ and a vacancy were unsuccessful at nucleating triple-chain silicates. Conversely, nearly pure yields of monoclinic triple-chain silicate could be made at temperatures of 440–630 °C and 0.2 GPa from the composition Na₄Mg₈Si₁₂O₃₂(OH)₄, as found in previous studies, though its composition is most likely depleted in Na as evidenced by electron microprobe and FTIR analysis. Pure yields of triple-chain silicate were also obtained for the F-analog composition Na₄Mg₈Si₁₂O₃₂F₄ at 550–750 °C and 0.2–0.5 GPa if a flux consisting of Na-halide salt and water in a 2:1 ratio by weight was used. In addition, limited chemical substitution could be documented for the substitutions of 2 Na⁺ for Na⁺ + H⁺ and of Mg²⁺ + vacancy for 2Na⁺. For the former, the Na content appears to be limited to 2.5 cations giving the ideal composition of Na_2.5Mg₈Si₁₂O_30.5(OH)_5.5, while for the latter substitution the Na content may go as low as 1.1 cations giving the composition Na_1.1Mg_9.4Si₁₂O_31.9(OH)_4.1 based on a fixed number of Si cations. Further investigation involving Mg for Na cation exchange may provide a pathway for the synthesis of Na-free clinojimthompsonite. Fairly extensive solid solution was also observed for triple-chain silicates made along the compositional join Na₄Mg₈Si₁₂O₃₂(OH)₄–Ca₂Mg₈Si₁₂O₃₂(OH)₄ where the limit of Ca substitution at 450 °C and 0.2 GPa corresponds to Na_0.7Ca_1.8Mg_7.8Si₁₂O_31.9(OH)_4.1 (with the OH content adjusted to achieve charge balance). Aside from the Na content, this composition is similar to that observed as wide-chain lamellae in host actinolite. The relative ease with which Na-rich triple chains can be made experimentally suggests that these phases might exist in nature; this study provides additional insights into the range of compositions and formation conditions at which they might occur.