Fission track annealing characteristics and dating of vermiculite

Fission track annealing experiments for vermiculite mineral have been performed under optimised etching conditions and a correction curve translating track length reduction to track density reduction has been constructed. The blocking/closing temperature of the fission track system in the mineral has been calculated to be 125°±30° C. The corrected fission track age of vermiculite from Kasipatnam (Visakhapatnam), South India, has been calculated as 544±14 Ma. The activation energy and average uranium concentration of the mineral are 1.7 eV and 9.9×10^?8 gg^?1 respectively.     

云南乐红铅锌矿床氧化带中异极矿的矿物学特征及其意义

云南乐红铅锌矿床氧化带十分发育,呈细脉或葡萄状产于氧化矿石中的白色矿物曾被认为是菱锌矿,笔者对该矿物作了物理、光学性质,化学发,Ｘ射线衍射,红外光谱及失重和差热分析研究,确定其为异极矿。其晶体化学式为Ｚｎ３．９８（Ｓｉ２．０１Ａｌ０．０１）２．０２Ｏ７（ＯＨ）２．０３．０．８８Ｈ２Ｏ晶胞参数ａ＝０．８３８０（４）ｎｍ,ｂ＝１．０７１８（７）ｎｍ,ｃ＝０．５１２５（６）ｎｍ。对异极矿矿物学特征的全面     

Redetermination of the Crystal Structure of Vesignieite

Vesignieite, Cu_3Ba(VO_4)_2(OH)_2, crystallizes in space group C_2 / m with a°=1.0270(2), b°=0.5911(1),c°=0.7711(2)nm and β=116.42(3)°. The intensity data were collected with the RIGAKU RASA-IISsingle-crystal four-circle diffractometer. The structure was determined by Patterson and Fourier methods andrefined by the least-square technique to a final R index of 0.051 for 614 independent diffraction points with|F? |>3σ|F?|. The crystal structure analysis shows that vesignieite has a layer structure parallel to (001). The powder diffraction lines were reindexed.     

Domain twinning of Laihunite and refinement of its crystal structure

Domain twinning of laihunite has been investigated based on diffracton phenomena, and its crystal structure has then been refined. Space group with respect to the domain isP2₁/c, and cell parametersa=5.813,b=4,812,c=10.211(A), β=90.87°. Atomic coordinate and bond length have been recalculated. Discussions are made of the Fe²⁺ distribution, lattice distortion, degree of order of laihunite and the relationship of this mineral with fayalite and ferrifayalite. The authors still hold that laih unite should be considered as a new silicate mineral with dominant Fe³⁺ and less amount of Fe²⁺.     

Refinement of the mangan-neptunite crystal structure

The crystal structure of mangan-neptunite, a manganese analogue of neptunite, has been refined in two space groups (Cc and C2/c). The mineral is monoclinic, with the correct space group Cc; the unit-cell dimensions are: a = 16.4821(6), b = 12.5195(4), c = 10.0292(3) Å, β = 115.474(1)°, and V = 1868.31 ų. The crystal structure has been refined to R ₁ = 0.0307 (wR ₂ = 0.0901) on the basis of 4892 observed reflections with |F _hkl | ≥ 4σ|F _hkl |. The most plausible acentric model is caused by the Ti- and (Fe, Mn, Mg)-ordering in the structure. Ti-octahedrons are strongly distorted and consist of short bond Ti-O (1.7 Å), one long bond (2.2 Å), and four equal bonds (2.0 Å). Fe-octahedrons are regularly shaped, with all Fe-O bonds being approximately identical.     

天然Ⅱ型CaCO3矿物的发现

本文报道了天然Ⅱ型CaCO₃ 矿物。该矿物发现于海洋表层沉积物,成分与方解石、文石及六方球方解石相同,但结构完全不同,它们共同组成了天然CaCO₃ 的同质多象变体。天然Ⅱ型CaCO₃ 矿物的空间群为P21/c,单位轴长为a₀= 0.6290±0.0002 nm,b₀= 0.4934±0.0002 nm,c₀= 0.7979±0.0003nm,β= 107.571°±0.002°,Z= 4,单胞体积为0.23605±0.1749nm³;理论密度为2.82 g/cm³,实测值为2.76 g/cm³;实测硬度H= 4.天然Ⅱ型CaCO₃ 矿物是在深水环境中较高静水压力下形成的珊瑚体生物矿物。     

The superstructure of plagioclase feldspars

A modulation function representing the position and density of (Na, Ca) atoms in the superstructure of the e-plagioclase has been derived from the average structures of different plagioclase and a general modulation theory. Based on this function the superstructure of bytownite (An₇₃) has been studied with the single crystal X-ray method. The cell dimensions by Megaw's axes are a=7.946(3)A, b=67.09(2)A, c=12.236(4)A, α=39.03(1)°, β=45.63(1)° and γ=59.63(1)°. Z=18(Na, Ca) Al(Al, Si)Si₂O₈. The initial phase factor of the modulation function for bytownite has been obtained from the intensity data of the satellite reflections. This modulation function indicates a coherent small-scale alternation of the Na-rich and Ca-rich bands in the superstructure. This superstructure has been refined by applying the albite and anorthite structures to the Na-rich and Ca-rich bands, respectively. The change of the superstructure of the e-plagioclase due to the compositional change has been described based on the movements of the satellites in reciprocal space. The direction of the coherent small-scale intergrowth of the anorthite-like and albite-like bands is perpendicular to the t vector. The thickness of the intergrowth is 1/|t|. Both direction and thickness change regularly from An₇₅ to An₂₅.     

Abramovite, Pb2SnInBiS7, a new mineral species from fumaroles of the Kudryavy volcano, Kurile Islands, Russia

Abramovite, a new mineral species, has been found as fumarole crust on the Kudryavy volcano, Iturup Island, Kuriles, Russia. The mineral is associated with pyrrhotite, pyrite, würtzite, galena, halite, sylvite, and anhydrite. Abramovite occurs as tiny elongated lamellar crystals up to 1 mm long and 0.2 mm wide (average 300 × 50 μ m), which make up chaotic intergrowths in the narrow zone of fumarole crust formed at ～600°C. Most crystals are slightly striated along the elongation. The new mineral is silver gray, with a metallic luster and black streak. Under reflected light, abramovite is white with a yellowish gray hue. It has weak bireflectance; anisotropy is distinct without color effects. The chemical composition (electron microprobe) is as follows, wt %: 20.66 S, 0.98 Se, 0.01 Cu, 0.03 Cd, 11.40 In, 12.11 Sn, 37.11 Pb, 17.30 Bi; the total is 99.60. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 12 atoms is Pb_1.92Sn_1.09In_1.06Bi_0.89(S_6.90Se_0.13)_7.03. The simplified formula is Pb₂SnInBiS₇. The strongest eight lines in the X-ray powder pattern [d, Å (I)(hkl)] are 5.90(36)(100), 3.90(100)(111), 3.84(71)(112), 3.166(26)(114), 2.921(33)(115), 2.902(16)(200), 2.329(15)(214), 2.186(18)(125). The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns of abramovite are quite similar to those of the homologous cylindrite series minerals. The new mineral is characterized by noncommensurate structure composed of regularly alternated pseudotetragonal and pseudohexagonal sheets. The structure parameters determined from the SAED patterns and X-ray powder diffraction data for pseudotetragonal subcell are: a = 23.4(3), b = 5.77(2), c = 5.83(1) Å, α = 89.1(5) °, β = 89.9(7)°, γ = 91.5(7)°, V = 790(8) ų; for pseudohexagonal subcell: a = 23.6(3), b = 3.6(1), c = 6.2(1) Å, α = 91(2)°, β = 92(1)°, γ = 90(2)°, V = 532(10) ų. Abramovite is triclinic, space group P(1). The new mineral is named in honor of Russian mineralogist Dmitry Abramov. The type material of abramovite has been deposited in the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.     

Crystal structure of xinganite

Xinganite is a new REE-Be-rich silicate discovered in China. Its ideal formula is: (Y, Ce)Be SiO₄ OH. The mineral is of monoclinic system. The intensity data were collected with a single-crystal four-circle diffractometer. The lattice parameters are: a=4.7681 (± 0.00263) Å,b=7.7657 (± 0.00686) Å, c=9.9301 (± 0.00639) Å; α =90°, β=90.171° (±0.0053°), γ=90° space group p2¹/c;,Z=4. The crystal structure has been determined by direct methods and electron density synthesis methods. The least squares refinement gave a final discrepancy indexR=0.086. The crystal structural analysis shows that xinganite is of datolite-type structure.     

Mangazeite,Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)(OH)<Subscript>4</Subscript> · 3H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O,a new mineral species

Mangazeite, a new mineral species, has been found at the Mangazeya silver deposit (300 km east of the Lena River, 65°43′40″ N and 130°20′ E) in eastern Yakutia (Sakha Republic, Siberia, Russia). The new mineral was described from fractured, sericitized, and pyritized granodiorite adjacent to a quartz-arsenopyrite vein. Associated minerals are gypsum and chlorite. The new mineral occurs as radial fibrous segregations of thin lamellar crystals. The size of the fibers does not exceed 40 μm in length and 1 μm across. The mineral is white, with a white streak and a vitreous luster. Mangazeite is transparent in isolated grains. No fluorescence is observed. The Mohs hardness is 1–2. The calculated density is 2.15 g/cm³. The new mineral is biaxial; its optical character was not determined; α = 1.525(9), β was not measured, and γ = 1.545(9). The average chemical composition is as follows (wt %): Al₂O₃ 36.28, SO₃ 28.81, H₂O⁺ 34.35, total 99.44, H₂O^? 9.27. The H₂O^? content was neither included in the total nor used in formula calculation. The empirical formula is Al_1.99(SO₄)_1.01(OH)_3.94 · 3.37H₂O. The simplified formula is Al₂(SO₄)(OH)₄ · 3H₂O. The theoretical chemical composition calculated from this formula is (wt %) Al₂O₃ 37.47, SO₃ 29.42, H₂O 33.11, total 100.00. The new mineral is triclinic; the unit cell parameters refined from X-ray powder diffraction data are a = 8.286(5), b = 9.385(5), c = 11.35(1) Å, α = 96.1(1), β = 98.9(1), γ = 96.6(1)°, and Z = 4. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern (d(I, %)) are 8.14(19), 7.59(49), 7.16(46), 4.258(100), 4.060(48), and 3.912(43). Mangazeite is supergene in origin and crystallized in a favorable aluminosilicate environment in the presence of sulfate ion due to pyrite oxidation.     

An XRD study of the crystal structure of gearksutite and its stability during heating to 300°C

The crystal structure of gearksutite, Ca and Al hydrofluoride CaAlF₄(OH) · H₂O, was refined using the Rietveld method with power diffraction data. The thermal stability of its crystal structure was studied for the first time using high-temperature XRD. Thermal XRD study of the mineral in the temperature range from 25 to 300°C revealed its stability to temperatures of 300-310°C. The mineral began to decay at temperatures greater than 300°C. The increase in the unit-cell parameters was established and the coefficients of thermal expansion were calculated.     

四方铜金矿CuAu在我国发现

四方铜金矿产于新疆玛纳斯县清水河上游萨尔达拉含铂基性-超基性岩体中。岩体主要为暗绿色蛇纹石化斜辉辉橄岩,岩石化学成分多数为正常系列,少数为铝过饱和系列。岩体长9公里,宽140米,是一个向南倾斜的单斜岩墙。岩体侵入到泥盆系头苏泉组的黑灰色粉砂质板岩中。外接触带仅几十厘米到1米左右宽,以绿泥石化、绿帘石化、蛇纹石化为主,其次是碳酸岩化。内接触带有1米多宽,以蛇纹石化、透辉石化、透闪石化为主,个别地段有阳起石、透闪石软玉。     

Cymrite as an indicator of high barium activity in the formation of hydrothermal rocks related to carbonatites of the Kola Peninsula

Cymrite, BaAl₂Si₂O₈ · nH₂O, is a rare mineral formed during low-grade dynamothermal metamorphism (T = 250–300°C, P = 1–3 kbar). Cymrite has been described from many metasedimentary ores and hydrothermal rocks. In carbonatites, it has been found for the first time. Cymrite has been identified in the Kovdor and Seblyavr massifs, Kola Peninsula. In Kovdor, this mineral has been described from one of the hydrothermal veins cutting the pyroxenite-melilitite-ijolite complex at the Phlogopite deposit; cymrite is associated with thomsonite, calcite, and stivensite. In the Seblyavr pluton, cymrite occurs in thin veins of calcite carbonatite that cut pyroxenite contacting with ijolite. Cymrite from the Seblyavr pluton is associated with calcite, natrolite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. The mineral is optically negative and uniaxial, with extinction parallel to elongation; ω ～ 1.607(1). According to X-ray diffraction data, cymrite from Seblyavr is monoclinic, space group P1m1; unit-cell dimensions are: a = 5.33, b = 36.96, c = 7.66 Å, β = 90°, V = 1510.55 ų. According to the results of IR spectroscopy, in the series of samples from different massifs (in the running order Kovdor-Voishor-Seblyavr), the double-layer deformation is enhanced and accompanied by a decrease in the Si-O-Si angle and weakening of hydrogen bonds of interlayer water. The empirical formulas of cymrite calculated from electron microprobe analyses are Ba_0.93–0.95Ca_0.01–0.02K_0.00–0.05Na_0.02–0.04Al_1.97–2.01Si_1.99–2.03O₈(H₂O) and Ba_1.00–1.02Ca_0.00–0.01Sr_0.00–0.01Fe_0.00–0.01Al_1.94–2.00Si_1.98–2.03O₈(H₂O) at Seblyavr and Kovdor, respectively. Cymrite from the carbonatite massifs of the Kola Peninsula was formed under hydrothermal conditions at low temperature (200–300°C), high activity of Ba and Si, and high water pressure. At Kovdor, the mineral crystallized directly from the residual solution enriched in Ba. The sequence of mineral deposition is as follows: thomsonite-cymrite-calcite-stevensite. Cymrite from the Seblyavr pluton is a product of hydrothermal alteration of primary Na-K-Ba silicates of ijolite: nepheline, feldspar, and probably celsian. Natrolite replaces cymrite indicating high alkalinity of late hydrothermal fluids.     

Surinamite analogs in the MgO-Ga2O3-GeO2 and MgO-Al2O3-GeO2 systems

New germanate analogs of the mineral surinamite, Mg₃Al₄BeSi₃O₁₆, have been synthesized with composition Mg₄A₄Ge₃O₁₆ (A=Al, Ga) and have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The Al surinamite phase crystallizes with a primitive unit-cell (P2/n, a=10.153(1), b=11.708(2), c=9.920(1) Å, β=110.18 (2)° and Z=4) similar to that of the silicate mineral. The Ga surinamite-like phase crystallizes with a larger unit-cell (C2/c, a=10.308(2), b=23.690(5), c=10.057(l) Å, β=110.23 (2)° and Z=8). High-resolution electron microscopy has shown the common formation of intergrowths between the surinamite and sapphirine structures, illustrating the polysomatic structural relationship between them. Observations of disordered microstructures in the Al surinamite suggest the occurrence of a P2/n?C2/c transformation.     

印支地块思茅地区始新统磁倾角偏低现象及其构造意义

对印支地块思茅地区始新世陆相红层进行古地磁研究,获得勐伴剖面特征剩磁方向为Ds=118.2°,Is=22.1°,k=31.6,α95=10.9°;勐腊剖面特征剩磁方向为Ds=47.6°,Is=22.8°,k=20.2,α95=5.9°。其特征剩磁方向与前人研究结果基本一致。利用Hodych等的磁倾角校正方法得到校正磁倾角为28.4°±4.3°,对前人的数据重新进行E/I统计得到的校正磁倾角值为30.7°,置信区间为[25.4°,35.9°],两种不同方法得到了较一致的结果,思茅地区的古近纪磁倾角显示了一定程度的偏低。E/I磁倾角偏低检验方法在应用时存在一定的局限性,变形微弱地层的古地磁学数据适合进行E/I磁倾角偏低校正,以避免倾伏褶皱或差异性旋转变形作用对E/I磁倾角偏低校正的影响。Hodych等提出的磁倾角校正方法是现今比较可靠的磁倾角校正方法。结合前人印支地块的古地磁研究成果,本次研究结果表明印支地块思茅地区自始新世以来相对于华南板块向南滑移量约500km。     

Thermoluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance and optical absorption in natural and synthetic rhodonite crystals

Thermoluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance and optical absorption properties of rhodonite, a natural silicate mineral, have been investigated and compared to those of synthetic crystal, pure and doped. The TL peaks grow linearly for radiation dose up to 4 kGy, and then saturate. In all the synthetic samples, 140 and 340°C TL peaks are observed; the difference occurs in their relative intensities, but only 340°C peak grows strongly for high doses. Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ + CaO-doped synthetic samples presented several decades intenser TL compared to that of synthetic samples doped with other impurities. A heating rate of 4°C/s has been used in all the TL readings. The EPR spectrum of natural rhodonite mineral has only one huge signal around g = 2.0 with width extending from 1,000 to 6,000 G. This is due to Mn dipolar interaction, a fact proved by numerical calculation based on Van Vleck dipolar broadening expression. The optical absorption spectrum is rich in absorption bands in near-UV, visible and near-IR intervals. Several bands in the region from 540 to 340 nm are interpreted as being due to Mn³⁺ in distorted octahedral environment. A broad and intense band around 1,040 nm is due to Fe²⁺. It decays under heating up to 900°C. At this temperature it is reduced by 80% of its original intensity. The pink, natural rhodonite, heated in air starts becoming black at approximately 600°C.     

Crystal chemical characteristics of α-CaSi2O5, a new high pressure calcium silicate with five-coordinated silicon synthesized at 1500°C and 10 GPa

The crystal structure of α-CaSi₂O₅ synthesized at conditions of 1500°C and 10 GPa, has been solved and refined in centrosymmetric space group P , using single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The composition (Z=4) and unit cell are Ca_1.02Si_1.99O₅ by EPMA analysis and a=7.243(2) Å, b=7.546(4) Å, c=6.501(4) Å, α=81.43(5)°, β=84.82(4)°, γ=69.60(3)°, V=329.5(3) ų, yielding the density value, 3.55 g/cm³. The structure is closely related to that of titanite, CaTiSiO₅ and features the square-pyramid five-fold coordination of silicon by oxygen. The ionic radius for five-coordinated Si calculated from the bond distances is 0.33 Å. The substantial deviation of valence sum for Ca indicates the existence of local strain and the instability of α-CaSi₂O₅ at room pressure.     

The stability of osumilite in high grade metamorphic rocks

Osumilite, approximate composition K(Mg,Fe)₂ Al₅Si₁₀O₃₀, has been reported recently from two granulite localities. The mineral has been synthesised in a model pelitic composition at 1000 and 1100 ° C and 3.6–6.3 kb under conditions of low water and oxygen fugacity. Osumilite coexists, apparently stably, with hypersthene, cordierite and quartz (?) thus duplicating the mineral assemblage of one of the natural occurrences. Osumilite is in a divariant reaction relationship with cordierite and hypersthene i.e. osumilite ? cordierite + hypersthene + orthoclase+quartz. This reaction runs to the right with increasing pressure. Experimental data and field observations suggest that the joins osumilite-garnet and osumilite-sillimanite are not stable. It is suggested osumilite is involved in an invariant point in the system K₂O-MgO-FeO-A1₂O₃-SiO₂ with the phases cordierite, hypersthene, sapphirine, spinel, orthoclase and quartz. The invariant point should occur at 1000 ± 100 °C and 7± 2kb.     

Structure and crystal chemistry of hydrous wadsleyite, Mg1.75SiH0.5O4: possible hydrous magnesium silicate in the mantle transition zone

The crystal structure of hydrous wadsleyite, Mg_1.75SiH_0.5O₄ synthesized in an MA 8-type apparatus at conditions of 1300°C and 15.5 GPa, has been analyzed and refined in space group Imma, using the X-ray intensities measured on a 60X60X10 μm single crystal. The composition (Z=8) and unit cell are Mg_1.74Si_0.97H_0.65O₄ by E.P.M.A. analysis and a=5.663(1) Å, b= 11.546(2) Å, c=8.247(4) Å, V=539.2(5) ų. The partial M-site occupancies were determined; vacancies associated with the incorporation of water are strongly concentrated on the Mg 3 site. The OH in the structure was confirmed by Raman and FTIR spectroscopies. The result of valence sum calculation based on the refined bond lengths indicates that O1 is a hydroxyl. The formula of hydrous wadsleyite can be expressed as Mg_2-xSiH_2xO₄, where 0≤x≤0.25. When x=0.25, all of the O1 site is hydroxyl and the maximum solubility of 3.3 wt% H₂O is realized. Structural relations to other dense hydrous phases are discussed.     

Bortnikovite,Pd<Subscript>4</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>Zn,a new mineral species from the unique Konder placer deposit,Khabarovsk krai,Russia

Bortnikovite, a new mineral species that is an intermetallic compound of Pd, Cu, and Zn with the simplified formula Pd₄Cu₃Zn has been detected at the unique Konder placer deposit in the Ayan-Maya district, Khabarovsk krai. The primary source of this placer is a concentrically zoned alkaline ultramafic massif. The X-ray diffraction pattern is indexed on the assumption of a tetragonal unit cell: a = 6.00 ± 0.02 Å and c = 8.50 ± 0.03 Å, V = 306 ± 0.01 ų, Z = 3, probable space group P4/mmm. The calculated density is 11.16 g/cm³; the mean microhardness VHN is 368 kg/mm². In reflected light, the new mineral is white with a slight grayish beige tint; bireflectance, anisotropy, and internal reflections are not observed. The reflectance spectrum belongs to the concave group of the anomalous type. The measured values of reflectance are as follows: 56.9 (470 nm), 61.7 (546 nm), 63.4 (589 nm), and 65.4% (650 nm). The new mineral is intergrown with isoferroplatinum, titanite, perovskite, V-bearing magnetite, bornite, and chlorite. The origin of bortnikovite is related to the effect of alkaline fluid on ultramafic rocks. The new mineral is named in honor of Professor Nikolai Stefanovich Bortnikov, a prominent mineralogist and researcher of ore deposits and a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Bortnikovite is the first platinum group mineral that contains Zn as a major mineralforming element.