Phosphates of the Chalotskoe Pegmatite Deposit,Transbaikal Region

A number of rare phosphates have been found in specimens from the Chalotskoe pegmatite deposit, Transbaikal region, Russia: väyrynenite, MnBe[PO₄](OH,F); parascholzite, CaZn₂[PO₄]₂ · 2H₂O; messelite, Ca₂(Fe²⁺,Mn)[PO₄]₂ · 2H₂O; eosphorite, MnAl[PO₄](OH)₂ · H₂O; moraesite, Be₂[PO₄](OH)4H₂O; and fluorapatite. Väyrynenite forms pink grains 2–3 mm in size, less frequent prismatic crystals up to 0.8 × 3.0 cm, and spheres up to 3 mm in diameter. Parascholzite occurs as pockets up to 0.6 × 1.0 cm composed from snow-white small grains. Messelite forms pale yellow honeycomb grains and poorly shaped crystals up to 1 mm. Eosphorite has been seen in the Chalotskoe pegmatites before, but it has not been studied in detail. It occurs as red-brown prismatic crystals up to 8 cm in length, occasionally forming openbook- like aggregates and pink to pale pink grains up to 5 mm in size. Moraesite forms snow-white fibrous aggregates up to 5 × 6 mm, together with white spheres and short prismatic crystals of fluorapatite up to 1 mm. Microcline, albite, quartz, muscovite, beryl, schorl, almandine-spessartine, columbite-(Fe), and bertrandite are associated minerals. Väyrynenite and parascholzite are found for the first time in Russia.

     

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.     

Tinnunculite,C<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>4</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> · 2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O: Occurrences on the Kola Peninsula and Redefinition and Validation as a Mineral Species

Based on a study of samples found in the Khibiny (Mt. Rasvumchorr: the holotype) and Lovozero (Mts Alluaiv and Vavnbed) alkaline complexes on the Kola Peninsula, Russia, tinnunculite was approved by the IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature, and Classification as a valid mineral species (IMA no. 2015-02la) and, taking into account a revisory examination of the original material from burnt dumps of coal mines in the southern Urals, it was redefined as crystalline uric acid dihydrate (UAD), C₅H₄N₄O₃ · 2H₂O. Tinnunculite is poultry manure mineralized in biogeochemical systems, which could be defined as “guano microdeposits.” The mineral occurs as prismatic or tabular crystals up to 0.01 × 0.1 × 0.2 mm in size and clusters of them, as well as crystalline or microglobular crusts. Tinnunculite is transparent or translucent, colorless, white, yellowish, reddish or pale lilac. Crystals show vitreous luster. The mineral is soft and brittle, with a distinct (010) cleavage. D_calc = 1.68 g/cm³ (holotype). Tinnunculite is optically biaxial (–), α = 1.503(3), β = 1.712(3), γ = 1.74(1), 2V_obs = 40(10)°. The IR spectrum is given. The chemical composition of the holotype sample (electron microprobe data, content of H is calculated by UAD stoichiometry) is as follows, wt %: 37.5 О, 28.4 С, 27.0 N, 3.8 H_calc, total 96.7. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of (C + N+ O) = 14 apfu is: C_4.99H₈N_4.07O_4.94. Tinnunculite is monoclinic, space group (by analogy with synthetic UAD) P2₁/c. The unit cell parameters of the holotype sample (single crystal XRD data) are a = 7.37(4), b = 6.326(16), c = 17.59(4) Å, β = 90(1)°, V = 820(5) ų, Z = 4. The strongest reflections in the XRD pattern (d, Å–I[hkl]) are 8.82–84[002], 5.97–15[011], 5.63–24[102?, 102], 4.22–22[112], 3.24–27[114?,114], 3.18–100[210], 3.12–44[211?, 211], 2.576–14[024].     

Uniquely high-grade iodide mineralization in the oxidation zone of the Rubtsovskoe base-metal deposit,Northwest Altai,Russia

Unusual, high-grade iodide mineralization comprising marshite, miersite, and iodargyrite has been discovered in the oxidation zone of the Rubtsovskoe VHMS base-metal deposit, Northwest Altai, Russia. The distribution of iodides reveals distinct zoning. Iodargyrite is widespread in the upper part of the oxidized orebody at the hypsometric level of +156 to 163 masl. The iodargyrite zone extends for more than 150 m. The content of iodargyrite in gossan occasionally reaches 1–5 vol %. Marshite is localized at the lower level (+146 to +151 masl); the zone enriched in marshite is about 50 m in extent. The marshite content in the high-grade oxidized ore with native copper and in the zone of wall-rock argillic alteration is typically close to 1 vol %, occasionally reaching 7–10 vol %. Miersite occurs sporadically in association with both iodargyrite and low-Ag marshite, which are antagonistic mineral species. Iodargyrite is stoichiometric AgI (2H polytype with a = 4.574 and c = 7.519 Å). Isostructural cubic marshite CuI and miersite (Ag,Cu)I make up an isomorphic series within compositional limits Mar₁₀₀Mie₀-Mar₉Mie₉₁ and a break between Mar_82.5Mie_17.5 and Mar₅₇-Mie₄₃; the a parameter of their unit cells varies from 6.050 to 6.424 Å. The crystal morphology, properties, and mode of iodide occurrence are described in the paper. According to the suggested genetic model, the source of iodine was related to exhalations of seafloor fumaroles accompanying volcanic-hydrothermal-sedimentary ore formation. Iodine is absorbed by clay in the wide zone of wall-rock argillic alteration. During the early stages of sulfide ore oxidation, sulfuric acid oxidized iodine to (I⁵⁺O₃)^?, and it was subsequently reduced and fixed in poorly soluble Ag⁺ and Cu⁺ iodides.     

Murmanite and lomonosovite as Ag-selective ionites: kinetics and products of ion exchange in aqueous AgNO3 solutions

Products and kinetics of ion exchange of heterophyllosilicate minerals lomonosovite and murmanite with aqueous AgNO₃ solutions under low-temperature conditions have been studied using scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, ²³Na nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and dynamic calorimetry. Both minerals show strong affinity for silver in cation exchange. Simplified formulae of Ag-exchanged forms of murmanite and lomonosovite are (Ag_3.0Ca_0.5Na_0.5) (Ti,Nb,Mn,Fe)_3.7?4 (Si₂O₇)₂O₄·4(H₂O,OH) and (Ag_8.2Na_1.2Ca_0.3) (Ti,Nb,Mn,Fe)_3.9?4 (Si₂O₇)₂ (PO₄)_1.9O₄·xH₂O, respectively. The reaction of ion exchange for murmanite follows the first-order kinetic model up to ca. 70–80 % conversion. The rate of the process is described by the equation k(h^?1) = 10^7.64±0.60 exp[?(12.2 ± 0.9)·10³/RT]. The average heat release value in the temperature range 39.4–72 °C is 230 J g^?1. The cation exchange is limited by processes in solid state, most probably binding of silver.     

Romanorlovite,a New Copper and Potassium Hydroxychloride from the Tolbachik Volcano,Kamchatka, Russia

A new mineral romanorlovite has been found in the upper, moderately hot zones of two fumaroles, Glavnaya Tenoritovaya (Major Tenorite) and Arsenatnaya (Arsenate), located at the second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. It is associated with avdoninite in both fumaroles, and in Glavnaya Tenoritovaya, it is also associated with belloite, sylvite, carnallite, mitscherlichite, sanguite, chlorothionite, eriochalcite, chrysothallite, and mellizinkalite. Romanorlovite occurs as prismatic, equant, or tabular tetragonal crystals up to 0.1 mm in size, crystal clusters up to 0.5 mm, and crusts up to 2 × 2 mm in area. The mineral is transparent with vitreous luster. Its color varies from yellow-brown to dark brown, and tiny crystals are honey- or golden-yellow. Cleavage is not observed. Romanorlovite is brittle. The Mohs hardness is ca ~3. The calculated density varies from 2.72 to 2.79 g/cm³ depending on the content of admixed Pb. The mineral is optically uniaxial (–), ω = 1.727(3), ε = 1.694(2). The Raman spectrum has been reported. The chemical composition of the holotype sample (wt %; electron microprobe data, contents of О and H calculated by stoichiometry) is as follows: 21.52 K, 0.89 Pb, 28.79 Cu, 0.02 Zn, 44.74 Cl, 4.85 O_calc, 0.41 H_calc, total 101.22. Its empirical formula calculated based on Cl₂₅ with (ОН)₄(Н2О)₂ is K_10.90Pb_0.09Cu_8.97Zn_0.01Cl₂₅(OH)₄ · 2H₂O. The simplified formula is K₁₁Cu₉Cl₂₅(OH)₄ · 2H₂O (Z = 4). Romanorlovite is tetragonal, space group[ I4/mmm. The unit cell parameters are (1) holotype: a = 17.5804(7), c = 15.9075(6) Å, V = 4916.5(3) ų; (2) the sample enriched in Pb on which the crystal structure was refined: a = 17.5538(19), c = 15.8620(17) Å, V= 4887.7(9) ų. The strongest reflections of the powder XRD pattern (d, Å–I[hkl]) are 12.48–56[110], 11.74–36[101], 8.80–100[200], 7.97–34[002], 6.71–40[112], 3.165–32[512], 2.933–80[215, 433], 2.607–38[514]. The mineral is named in honor of Roman Yu. Orlov (1929-2005), Russian mineralogist and physicist, who worked in the Department of Mineralogy, Moscow State University.     

Vigrishinite, Zn2Ti4 − x Si4O14(OH,H2O,□)8, a new mineral from the Lovozero alkaline complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia

A new mineral vigrishinite, epistolite-group member and first layer titanosilicate with species-defining Zn, was found at Mt. Malyi Punkaruaiv, in the Lovozero alkaline complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia. It occurs in a hydrothermally altered peralkaline pegmatite and is associated with microcline, ussingite, aegirine, analcime, gmelinite-Na, and chabazite-Ca. Vigrishinite forms rectangular or irregularly shaped lamellae up to 0.05 × 2 × 3 cm flattened on [001]. They are typically slightly split and show blocky character. The mineral is translucent to transparent and pale pink, yellowish-pinkish or colorless. The luster is vitreous. The Mohs’ hardness is 2.5–3. Vigrishinite is brittle. Cleavage is {001} perfect. D _meas = 3.03(2), D _calc = 2.97 g/cm³. The mineral is optically biaxial (?), α = 1.755(5), β = 1.82(1), γ = 1.835(8), 2V _meas = 45(10)°, 2V _calc = 50°. IR spectrum is given. The chemical composition (wt %; average of 9 point analyses, H₂O is determined by modified Penfield method) is as follows: 0.98 Na₂O, 0.30 K₂O, 0.56 CaO, 0.05 SrO, 0.44 BaO, 0.36 MgO, 2.09 MnO, 14.39 ZnO, 2.00 Fe₂O₃, 0.36 Al₂O₃, 32.29 SiO₂, 29.14 TiO₂, 2.08 ZrO₂, 7.34 Nb₂O₅, 0.46 F, 9.1 H₂O, ?0.19 O=F₂, total is 101.75. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of Si + Al = 4 is: H_7.42(Zn_1.30Na_0.23Mn_0.22Ca_0.07Mg_0.07K_0.05Ba_0.02)_Σ1.96(Ti_2.68Nb_0.41Fe _0.18 ³⁺ Zr_0.12)_Σ3.39(Si_3.95Al_0.05)_{Σ4 20.31}F_0.18. The simplified formula is: Zn₂Ti_4?x Si₄O₁₄(OH,H₂O,□)₈ (x < 1). Vigrishinite is triclinic, space group P $\bar 1$ , a = 8.743(9), b = 8.698(9), c = 11.581(11)Å, α = 91.54(8)°, β = 98.29(8)°, γ = 105.65(8)°, V = 837.2(1.5) ų, Z = 2. The strongest reflections in the X-ray powder pattern (d, Å, ?I[hkl]) are: 11.7-67[001], 8.27-50[100], 6.94-43[0 $\bar 1$ 1, $\bar 1$ 10], 5.73–54[1 $\bar 1$ 1, 002], 4.17-65[020, $\bar 1$ $\bar 1$ 2, 200], and 2.861-100[3 $\bar 1$ 0, 2 $\bar 2$ 2, 004, 1 $\bar 3$ 1]. The crystal structure model was obtained on a single crystal, R = 0.171. Vigrishinite and murmanite are close in the structure of the TiSiO motif, but strongly differ from each other in part of large cations and H-bearing groups. Vigrishinite is named in honor of Viktor G. Grishin (b. 1953), a Russian amateur mineralogist and mineral collector, to pay tribute to his contribution to the mineralogy of the Lovozero Complex. The type specimen is deposited in the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.     

The Upper Ordovician of northeastern Gorny Altai: Stratigraphy and deposition environments

Comprehensive lithofacies and biofacies analysis provided constraints on the origin of Upper Ordovician clastic and carbonate deposits in northeastern Gorny Altai, which form large low-elevated flat carbonate banks located relatively close to the shore. The sediments were deposited during the Sandbian and early-middle Katian stages, according to new conodont data. Upper Ordovician sections in northeastern Gorny Altai store record of two global regressions: the early Sandbian (Vollen Lowstand) and early Katian (Frognerkilen Lowstand) events.