Production of Bauxite Certified Reference Material (BARC-B1201) for Nine Property Values (Al2O3, Fe2O3, SiO2, TiO2, V2O5, MnO,Cr2O3, MgO and LOI) Traceable to SI Units

The National Centre for Compositional Characterisation of Materials (NCCCM) / Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), India have produced an Indian origin bauxite certified reference material (CRM), referred to as BARC-B1201, certified for major (Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, loss on ignition - LOI) and trace contents (V₂O₅, MnO, Cr₂O₃, MgO). Characterisation was undertaken by strict adherence to ISO Guides. A method previously developed and validated in our laboratory, using single step bauxite dissolution and subsequent quantitation (of Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, V₂O_5, MnO, Cr₂O₃ and MgO) by ICP-AES (SSBD ICP-AES) was used for homogeneity studies and an inter-laboratory comparison exercise (ILCE) of the candidate CRM. LOI was determined by thermo-gravimetric analysis. Property values were assigned after an ILCE with participation from seventeen reputed government and private sector laboratories in India. The CRM was certified for nine property values: Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, V₂O_5, MnO, Cr₂O₃, MgO and LOI, which are traceable to SI units.     

黔北务川瓦厂坪铝土矿床元素迁移规律研究

黔北务正道地区铝土矿矿床属古风化壳沉积型,成矿母岩具多源性,但主要来源于下覆的中下志留统韩家店组。本文依据Grant提出的质量平衡方程和图解法,对瓦厂坪矿床在成矿过程中元素迁移的富集、贫化（亏损）规律进行了定量研究。结果表明,主要成矿母岩韩家店组砂、页岩一中间产物铝土质页岩、粘土岩是主要元素A12O3、TiO2显著富集...     

Mineralogy, Chemical Characteristics and Upgrading of Beach Ilmenite of the Top Meter of Black Sand Deposits of the Kafr Al-Sheikh Governorate, Northern Egypt

Egyptian beach ilmenite occurs in a relatively high content in the naturally highly concentrated superficial black sand deposits at specific beach zones in the northern parts of the Nile Delta at Rosetta. Microscopic study shows that the ilmenite occurs as fresh homogeneous black or heterogeneous multicoloured altered grains and exhibits three types (homogeneous, exsolved and altered) of ilmenite varieties. XRD data of ilmenite indicates their association with minor hematite and quartz, whereas leucoxene shows its association with Nb‐rutile, pseudorutile and hematite. Grain size distribution suggests a very fine sand size of >89% and 80% and a fine sand size of 10.5% and 18.3% for fresh and altered ilmenites, respectively. The density of fresh, altered ilmenite and leucoxene concentrates varies from 2.70, 2.50 to 2.40 ton/m³, suggesting a gradual decrease from high grade fresh to leucoxene and consistent with variation in magnetic susceptibility as a consequence of the leaching of iron. Mass magnetic susceptibility reveals 97.6% of ilmenite and 92% of the altered form are obtained at 0.20 and 0.48 ampere. Fresh ilmenite exhibits variable TiO₂ (47.18%) and Fe₂O₃^T (46.10%) with minor MnO, MgO and Cr₂O₃ (1.22, 1.10 and 0.51%). The altered ilmenite is higher in TiO₂ (76.16%) and SiO₂ (4.68%) and lower in Fe₂O₃^T (14.45%), MnO, MgO and Cr₂O₃ (0.39, 0.52 and 0.11%) compared with the fresh form. Three concentrates of ilmenites (G1, G2 and G3) were prepared from crude ore using a Reading cross belt magnetic separator under different conditions, revealing a gradual increase of TiO₂, SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and CaO accompanied by a decrease of Fe₂O₃^T, MgO and Cr₂O₃ with repetition of the separation processes. Several ore dressing techniques were carried out to upgrade the ilmenite concentrate.     

The stability of sapphirine + quartz: calculated phase equilibria in FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–TiO2–O

The presence in rocks of coexisting sapphirine + quartz has been widely used to diagnose conditions of ultra‐high‐temperature (UHT) metamorphism (>900 °C), an inference based on the restriction of this assemblage to temperatures >980 °C in the conventionally considered FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ (FMAS) chemical system. With a new thermodynamic model for sapphirine that includes Fe₂O₃, phase equilibra modelling using thermocalc software has been undertaken in the FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–O (FMASO) and FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂– TiO₂–O (FMASTO) chemical systems. Using a variety of calculated phase diagrams for quartz‐saturated systems, the effects of Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ on FMAS phase relations are shown to be considerable. Importantly, the stability field of sapphirine + quartz assemblages extends down temperature to 850 °C in oxidized systems and thus out of the UHT range.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry, and ore formation of Nuwaifa bauxite deposit,western desert of Iraq

Nuwaifa Formation is a part of sequence stratigraphy that belongs to the Jurassic system exposed in the western desert of Iraq. The Jurassic system consists of Ubaid, Hussainiyat, Amij, Muhaiwir, and Najmah formations. Each formation is composed of basal clastic unit overlain by upper carbonate unit. Nuwaifa karst bauxite was developed in fossil karsts within the Ubaid Formation in areas where maximum intersection of fractures and faults exist. This bauxitization process affected the upper surface of the Ubaid limestone formation, which directly underlies the Nuwaifa bauxite Formation. Nuwaifa Formation represents karst-filling deposit that consists of a mixture of allochthonous (sandstone, claystone, and mudstone) and autochthonous lithofacies (bauxite kaolinite, kaolinitic bauxite, iron-rich bauxite, and flint clay). Most bauxite bodies occur within the autochthonous lithofacies and are lenticular in shape with maximum thickness ranges from few meters to 35 m and in some place up to 100 m. Petrographically, the bauxite deposit exhibits collomorphic-fluidal, pisolitic, oolitic, nodular, brecciated, and skeletal textures indicative of authigenic origin. Mineralogy boehmite and gibbsite are the only bauxite minerals; the former is dominant in the upper parts of the bauxite profiles, whereas the latter is dominant throughout the lower and middle part of the bauxite. Kaolinite, hematite, goethite, calcite, and anatase occur to a lesser extent. The study bauxites are mainly composed of Al₂O₃ (33–69.6 wt.%), SiO₂ (8.4–42 wt.%), Fe₂O₃ (0.5–15.9 wt.%), and TiO₂ (0.7–6.1 wt.%) with LOI ranging from 13.5 to 19.1 wt.%. Geochemical investigations indicate that the immobile elements like Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Cr, Zr, and Ni were obviously enriched, while SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, Zn, Co, Ba, Mn, Cu, and Sr were depleted during bauxitization process. The results of this study strongly suggest that the bauxite deposits of the Nuwaifa Formation are derived from the kaolinite of the Lower Hussainiyat Formation.     

Statistical analysis and source rock of the Minim-Martap plateau bauxite,Cameroon

The Minim-Martap plateau bauxite deposit, located between the Minim and the Martap villages, is one of the 11 plateaus within the Minim-Martap bauxite region. The plateau has an elevation of 1294 m above sea level, with three to more 30 m thickness of bauxite horizon. These plateaus were formed as result of supergene weathering of volcanic rocks occurring as dissected flow basalt landscapes that form relatively flat plateau rising steeply from the surrounding granites. The bauxite deposit of the plateau is lateritic, with the surface of the plateau been completely covered by indurated caps. Seventeen bauxite samples were collected from the plateau and prepared for geochemical analysis. Whole rock analysis was carried out using the X-ray Fluorescence technique and ICP-MS was used for trace elements investigation. Statistical analysis reveals that average values of Al₂O₃ (54.87%), Fe₂O₃ (7.17%), SiO₂ (2.44%), and TiO₂ (4.54%) indicate the plateau bauxite deposit is an of a world class standard with very little impurities compared to the standard major element contents of bauxite (>?40% A1₂O₃, less than <?20% Fe₂O₃, and less than <?8% combined SiO₂). Abundant trace elements include Zr, Ce, Sr, V, Ba, La, Nd, Ga, and Nb. Weathering due to chemical alteration indices using the Ruxton ratio and CIA approaches revealed the plateau have undergone intense weathering process that formed the bauxite deposit. Three different classification systems indicate it as a low iron-rich bauxite deposit. Precursor rock investigation indicates the origin of the bauxite is mafic, basaltic andesite igneous rocks with intermediate pH (basic–acidic characteristic).     

A comparison of automatic and manual wet chemical analysis of rocks

Many modern geochemical studies require large numbers of analyses. An automatic scheme for the analysis of SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, Na₂O, K₂O, P₂O₅, CaO, MgO and MnO is described using a commercially available autoanalyser and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data on the precision is compared to that obtained using conventional rapid methods of analysis. The results show that the automated procedures offer at least a threefold increase in production with little or no loss in precision.     

安徽栏杆含金刚石基性岩中石榴子石矿物学特征

在中国东部皖北地区分布着新元古代镁铁质岩,其中一些碱性基性岩为金刚石的赋矿岩石。为了确定安徽栏杆金刚石矿区的石榴子石种类,对矿区内不同类型的石榴子石进行系统采样,测定了62件石榴子石微区化学成分。结果显示,安徽栏杆石榴子石矿物化学式A_3~(2+)B_2~(3+)(SiO_4)_3中的A组阳离子由Mg~(2+)、Fe~(2+)和Ca~(2+)离子占位,B主要由Al~(3+)、Fe~(3+)、Mn~(3+)和Cr~(3+)离子占位,三价阳离子主要为Al~(3+),二价阳离子主要为Ca~(2+),表明研究区石榴子石主要为钙铝-钙铁-镁铝石榴子石系列。在62个样品中,发现了超硅石榴子石。经过计算其形成的压力范围为12.1～12.8GPa,深度可达300km。     

Geochemical systematics of the Mauranipur-Babina greenstone belt,Bundelkhand Craton,Central India:Insights on Neoarchean mantle plume-arc accretion and crustal evolution

The Neoarchean Bundelkhand greenstone sequences at Mauranipur and Babina areas within the Bundelkhand Gneissic Complex preserve a variety of magmatic rocks such as komatiitic basalts, basalts,felsic volcanic rocks and high-Mg andesites belonging to the Baragaon, Raspahari and Koti Formations.The intrusive and extrusive komatiitic basalts are characterized by low SiO_2(39-53 wt.%), high MgO(18-25 wt.%).moderately high Fe_2O_3(7.1-11.6 wt.%), Al_2O_3(4.5-12.0 wt.%), and TiO_2(0.4-1.23 wt.%)with super to subchondritic(Gd/Yb)N ratios indicating garnet control on the melts. The intrusive komatiitic suite of Ti-enriched and Al-depleted type possesses predominant negative Eu and positive Nb, Ti and Y anomalies. The chemical composition of basalts classifies them into three types with varying SiO_2, TiO_2, MgO, Fe_2O_3, Al_2O_3 and CaO. At similar SiO_2 content of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ basalts, the type II basalts show slightly high Al_2O_3 and Fe_2O_3 contents. Significant negative anomalies of Nb, Zr, Hf and Ti, slightly enriched LREE with relatively flat HREE and low ∑REE contents are observed in type Ⅰ and Ⅱ basalts. TypeⅢ basalts show high Zr/Nb ratios(9.8-10.4), TiO_2(1.97-2.04 wt.%), but possess strikingly flat Zr, Hf, Y and Yb and are uncontaminated. Andesites from Agar and Koti have high SiO_2(55-64 wt.%), moderate TiO_2(0.4-0.7 wt.%), slightly low Al_2O_3(7-11.9 wt.%), medium to high MgO(3-8 wt.%) and CaO contents(10-17 wt.%). Anomalously high Cr, Co and Ni contents are observed in the Koti rhyolites. Tholeiitic to calc alkaline affinity of mafic-felsic volcanic rocks and basalt-andesite dacite-rhyolite differentiation indicate a mature arc and thickened crust during the advanced stage of the evolution of Neoarchean Bundelkhand greenstone belt in a convergent tectonic setting where the melts were derived from partial melting of thick basaltic crust metamorphosed to amphibolite-eclogite facies. The trace element systematics suggest the presence of arc-back arc association with varying magnitudes of crust-mantle interaction. La/Sm, La/Ta,Nb/Th, high MgO contents(20 wt.%), CaO/Al_2O_3 and(Gd/Yb)_N 1 along with the positive Nb anomalies of the komatiite basalts reflect a mantle plume source for their origin contaminated by subductionmetasomatized mantle lithosphere. The overall geochemical signatures of the ultramafic-mafic and felsic volcanic rocks endorse the Neoarchean plume-arc accretion tectonics in the Bundelkhand greenstone belt.     

Biomineral nanostructures of manganese oxides in oceanic ferromanganese nodules

Manganese oxides, which are widespread and of great practical importance, are formed and transformed by the active role of microorganisms. Manganese aggregates occur as both crystallized varieties and disordered fine-grained phases with significant ore grade and up to 50–60 vol % of X-ray amorphous components. X-ray amorphous nanosized Mn oxides in Fe-Mn nodules from the Pacific Ocean floor were examined from the standpoint of their biogenic origin. SEM examination showed abundant mineralized biofilms on the studied samples. The chemical composition of bacterial mass is as follows (wt %): 28.34 MnO, 17.14 Fe₂O₃, 7.11 SiO₂, 2.41 CaO, 17.90 TiO₂, 1.74 Na₂O, 1.73 Al₂O₃, 1.30 MgO, 1.25 P₂O₅, 1.25 SO₃, 0.68 CoO, 0.54 CuO, 0.53 NiO, and 0.50 K₂O. The chemical composition of fossilized cyanobacterial mats within the interlayer space of nodulesis as follows (wt %): 48.35 MnO, 6.23 Fe₂O₃, 8.76 MgO, 5.05 Al₂O₃, 4.45 SiO₂, 3.63 NiO, 2.30 Na₂O, 2.19 CuO, 1.31 CaO, and 0.68 K₂O is direct evidence for participation of bacteria in Mn oxide formation. This phase consists of mineralized glycocalix consisting of nanosized flakes of todorokite. Native metals (Cu, Fe, and Zn) as inclusions 10–20 μm in size were identified in ferromanganese nodules as well. The formation of nativemetals can be explained by their crystallization at highly reducing conditions maintained by organic matter.     

云南会泽大黑山铝土矿地球化学特征及其物源分析

大黑山铝土矿赋存于上二叠统宣威组底部,下伏地层为峨眉山玄武岩。矿石结构主要以泥晶结构为主,具有少量鲕状、粒屑结构。矿石构造以致密块状构造为主,局部呈层状、似层状。铝土矿石中Al2O3与Fe2O3、Si O2呈现较好的负相关关系,Ti O2与Zr、Hf、Nb、Ta相关性较好,Zr-Hf、Nb-Ta的相关性拟合度很高。铝土矿与峨眉山玄武岩样品具有相似的稀土元素配分模式。综合稳定元素相关性、微量元素及稀土元素标准化图解、lg Ni和lg Cr二元图解等分析方法对大黑山铝土矿的成矿物质来源进行探讨,研究结果表明铝土矿的成矿物质来源主要来自峨眉山玄武岩。     

The effect of TiO2 and Fe2O3 on metapelitic assemblages at greenschist and amphibolite facies conditions: mineral equilibria calculations in the system K2O–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–TiO2–Fe2O3

Mineral equilibria calculations in the system K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–TiO₂–Fe₂O₃ (KFMASHTO) using thermocalc and its internally consistent thermodynamic dataset constrain the effect of TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ on greenschist and amphibolite facies mineral equilibria in metapelites. The end‐member data and activity–composition relationships for biotite and chloritoid, calibrated with natural rock data, and activity–composition data for garnet, calibrated using experimental data, provide new constraints on the effects of TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ on the stability of these minerals. Thermodynamic models for ilmenite–hematite and magnetite–ulvospinel solid solutions accounting for order–disorder in these phases allow the distribution of TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ between oxide minerals and silicate minerals to be calculated. The calculations indicate that small to moderate amounts of TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ in typical metapelitic bulk compositions have little effect on silicate mineral equilibria in metapelites at greenschist to amphibolite facies, compared with those calculated in KFMASH. The addition of large amounts of TiO₂ to typical pelitic bulk compositions has little effect on the stability of silicate assemblages; in contrast, rocks rich in Fe₂O₃ develop a markedly different metamorphic succession from that of common Barrovian sequences. In particular, Fe₂O₃‐rich metapelites show a marked reduction in the stability fields of staurolite and garnet to higher pressures, in comparison to those predicted by KFMASH grids.     

Atypical,High-Fe2O3, Alpine-Type Chromite Mineralization at Guneyocak,Sivas Province,East-Central Turkey

The Güneyocak chromite mineralization is hosted by the Upper Cretaceous Divrigi ophiolitic melange, which consists of serpentinite, serpentinized harzburgite and dunite, gabbro, diabase dikes, pyroxenite, blocks of limestone, and radiolarite. Serpentinites were intensely listwaenitized near the mineralization and in other locations in the study area. The Guneyocak chromite mineralization is of interest because of its internal structure and abundant, repeated chromitite bands, as well as for its chemistry. These features are unusual for ophiolite-hosted chromite. Major-element chemistry shows that the chromites have very high Fe₂O₃ and MgO and very low FeO. The Guneyocak chromites are classified as of Alpine type on the basis of host-rock lithology and Cr₂O₃, Al₂O₃, FeO(T), and Cr/Fe values. However, the very high Fe₂O₃ and MgO and very low FeO compositions of the chromites do not correspond to those of an Alpine-type chromite deposit. Repeated chromite banding and high Fe₂O₃ content of the chromite strongly suggest repeated oxygen fugacityf(O₂) fluctuations and that the Guneyocak mineralization formed at relatively shallow depths. The Güneyocak chromite is characterized by a slightly boninitic character, which represents high partial melting under conditions of high oxygen fugacity. We conclude that the Guneyocak chromite mineralization formed in the uppermost part of the ultramafic rock series of the Divrigi ophiolitic melange.     

Minor element abundances in olivines of the Sharps (H-3) chondrite

Olivine crystals in 21 chondrules from the Sharps (H-3) chondrite were analyzed for CaO, Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, MnO, TiO₂, NiO, and Na₂O. The chondrules studied include representatives of all major types found in Sharps, and the mean fayalite contents of their olivine range from 1 to 28 %. Those olivines which contain less than 18 mol.% fayalite typically contain or occur with metallic nickel-iron; the others are metal-free.Na₂O is below detectability (0.01 wt.%) in all cases, and the abundances of Al₂O₃, NiO and TiO₂ are also typically very low. MnO varies simply and directly with FeO.Cr₂O₃ varies widely (0.03–0.21%) and several lines of evidence suggest that Cr is dominantly trivalent. It is concluded that F_{O 2} was rarely less than 10^–11 atm. during the crystallization of the chondrules in Sharps.     

The chemistry of gabbro/amphibolite transitions in South Norway

Sixteen gabbro (hyperite)/amphibolite pairs were collected from geological situations where it seems clear that the amphibolite formed from material similar in composition to that of the adjacent hyperite.Major element analyses show that the hyperite to amphibolite transition was not an isochemical one. K₂O, H₂O, P₂O₅ and Fe₂O₃ were increased strongly. CaO and FeO were diminished; SiO₂ may have been also. TiO₂, total iron, MgO, MnO and Na₂O were static; so probably was Al₁O₃.     

Geochemistry of major and trace elements and Pb–Sr isotopes of a weathering profile developed on the Lower Cambrian black shales in central Hunan,China

This paper reports a geochemical study on the major and trace elements and Pb–Sr isotopes of a weathering profile developed in the Lower Cambrian black shales in central Hunan (China). Six weathering horizons were identified and sampled vertically throughout the profile. The chemical composition of the profile consists of variable concentrations of the major elements Fe₂O₃, FeO, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, and P₂O₅ and of less variable concentrations of SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, and K₂O. The chemical change caused by weathering is estimated by mass-balance calculations, and the results show that the element mobility is characterised by substantial loss of SiO₂, FeO, CaO, K₂O, Na₂O, LOI, Cr, V, Ba, Cs, Rb, Sr, U, and Th, and moderate loss of Al₂O₃, MgO, Fe₂O₃, Ni, Cu, Pb, Tl, Sn, Sc, Ge and REE (Y). The high field strength elements TiO₂, Sn, Sc, U, Ga, Ge, Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta were immobile during weathering. The chemical changes and the Pb–Sr isotopic data suggest that four types of chemical reactions occurred: the oxidation of sulphide minerals (e.g., pyrite) and organic carbon (OS), the dissolution of less resistant clinochlore-Ia, calcite, and P-bearing minerals (DL), the dissolution of detrital albite and microcline (DA), and the transformation of clay (TC) minerals (e.g., muscovite and illite–smectite). These chemical reactions then led to two stages of geochemical processes, an early stage of chemical differentiation and a later stage of chemical homogenisation. The chemical differentiation dominated by the OS, DL, and DA reactions, led to the leaching of mobile elements (e.g., MgO, Na₂O, K₂O, P₂O₅, Sr, and REE) and the redistribution of some less mobile elements (e.g., SiO₂ and Al₂O₃). In contrast, the chemical homogenisation, which was caused by TC reactions, led to the leaching of both mobile and less mobile elements from the system and ultimately transformed the weathered black shales into soil. Soils derived from black shales in South China might result from the above two geochemical processes.     

磁铁矿中磁性物成分的测定及可选性评价

对磁铁矿样品分别用磁选管和手工内磁选法进行磁选,并对原矿样品和样品的磁性物中TFe、P、S、V2O5、TiO2、SiO2、Al2O3、CaO、MgO、Sn、Cu、Pb、Zn的含量进行测定.分析结果表明,采用手工内磁选和磁选管对磁铁矿进行磁选所得的结果一致,为了简便操作,本文均采用手工内磁选法选出磁性物.A矿区磁性铁(mFe)含量(22.42％)比B矿区mFe含量(22.59％)低,但A矿区样品的磁性物中TFe含量(磁铁精矿品位)大于66％,比B矿区样品的磁性物中TFe含量(小于57％)高,A矿区的磁铁矿选矿效果明显好于B矿区,说明对磁性物中TFe含量的测定能够更好地反映矿石的可选性.原矿样品中P、S的含量分别为0.328％、0.271％,而样品的磁性物中P、S的含量为0.021％、＜0.005％,均达到铁矿石冶炼标准;原矿样品中V2O5、TiO2的含量分别为0.156％、1.37％,而样品的磁性物中V2O5、TiO2含量分别为0.823％、13.62％,达到了铁矿石冶炼标准.原矿样品的(CaO+MgO)/(SiO2 +Al2O3)值为0.876,为自熔性矿石,而其磁性物的(CaO+ MgO)/(SiO2+Al2O3)值为0.453,为酸性矿石.由此说明,单纯测定原矿样品中的各成分尚不能对磁铁矿的可选性进行科学性评价,只有进一步测定磁铁矿的磁性物中各成分的含量,才能够对磁铁矿进行可靠的评价.本文通过对磁铁矿中磁性物成分的测定,为磁铁矿的选冶性能提供了新的评价方法.     

The influence of aluminium industry and bedrock lithology on the oxide content in the urban soil of Sibenik, Croatia

The content of major element oxides (Al₂O₃, SiO₂, CaO, MgO, Fe₂O₃, P₂O₅, K₂O, TiO₂, and MnO) in soil surrounding the light metal factory (TLM), which was producing aluminium from 1937 till 1991, was investigated by EDXRF and XRD. The evaluation of a possible aluminium pollution linked to the industrial activity was studied by a comparison of soil around the TLM with control soil samples. Taking into account natural variations caused by bedrock lithology, control samples were taken in the soil developed upon the Upper Cretaceous limestones and Middle Eocene flysch deposits, while the TLM soil was sampled over the Upper Cretaceous and Early to Middle Eocene limestones; that way the samples constituted four groups, each containing five to seven samples. Control soil overlying flysch deposits differed strikingly from the other three groups by its increased CaO values, and decreased content of Al, Fe, Mn, and Ti-oxides, confirming the overall geochemical imprint of bedrock lithology on the analysed soils. However, a specific mineral composition (presence of alumina) of the TLM soil, together with peculiar correlations among Al₂O₃ and other oxides indicates a certain extent of aluminium pollution of the investigated area.     

The Effect of Cr2O3 on the Partial Melting of Spinel Lherzolite in the System CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-Cr2O3 at 1{middle dot}1 GPa

Chromium as Cr³⁺ substitutes for octahedrally coordinated Alin upper-mantle minerals, thereby reducing the activity of Al₂O₃in the system and hence the concentration of Al₂O₃ in partialmelts. The effect of Cr₂O₃ on melt compositions multiply saturatedwith the spinel lherzolite phase assemblage has been quantifiedin the system CaO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–Cr₂O₃at 1·1 GPa as a function of 100 Cr/(Cr + Al) in the spinel(Cr#_sp). The decrease of Al₂O₃ in the melt with increasing Cr#_spis accompanied by increasing MgO and SiO₂, whereas CaO remainsalmost constant. Consequently, the CaO/Al₂O₃ ratio of the meltincreases with Cr#_sp, and the melt becomes richer in normativediopside, hypersthene and quartz. The effect may explain certainmantle melts with unusually high CaO/Al₂O₃ ratios. The concentrationof Cr₂O₃ in the melt remains low even at high Cr#_sp, which meansthat the strong effect of Cr₂O₃ on partial melting equilibriais not readily apparent from its concentration in the melt itself.The existence of a highly refractory major component such asCr₂O₃ nullifies simplified conclusions from the ‘inverseapproach’ in the experimental study of basalt petrogenesis,as there is insufficient information in the composition of thepartial melt to reconstruct the conditions of melting. KEY WORDS: basalt petrogenesis; partial melting; reversal experiment; spinel lherzolite; system CMAS–Cr₂O₃; CaO/Al₂O₃ of melt; effect of Cr₂O₃     

Climate implications of major geochemical elements in the Holocene sediments of the North and East China monsoonal regions

Two Holocene sediment cores were retrieved respectively from the enclosed Lake Daihai in the monsoon/arid transition zone of North China and the Taihu Lake coast in the monsoonal area of the Yangtze delta, Eastern China. Distribution of major geochemical elements and their ratios were employed to reveal the characteristics of Holocene climate and associated environmental implications in the two regions. It is suggested that the temporal distribution of major elements serve as a useful indicator to denote the variations of monsoon effective precipitation for the enclosed lake area. High values of resistant elements such as Al₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, (FeO + Fe₂O₃), MnO in the lake sediments correspond to the depressed chemical weathering and weakened mon-soon effective precipitation, while the highs of mobile and easy soluble elements such as MgO, CaO, Na₂O reflect the enhanced chemical weathering and increased monsoon effective precipitation in the lake basin. In comparison, the behaviors of the major elements in sediments of the Taihu Lake coast were largely controlled by the changes both in sea transgression in the different Holocene time periods and the monsoon precipitation. The relatively highs of Al₂O₃, TiO₂, (FeO + Fe₂O₃), in marine-influenced sediments suggest relatively strong coastal hydrodynamics and chemical weathering, and vice versa. Meanwhile, the lows of SiO₂, Na₂O and CaO in the non-marine-influenced sediments also denote relatively strong hydrodynamics and chemical weathering due to enhanced monsoon precipitation, and vice versa. Sedimentary environment should be taken into account when achieving a full understanding of their climate implications.