Physical and thermal treatment of phosphate ores — An overview

The annual consumption of phosphate rock approached 150 million tons. The marketable phosphate is usually 30% P₂O₅ or higher. The run-of-mine material is mostly of lower grade which needs processing or upgrading. The processing techniques of phosphate ores depend mostly on the type of associated gangue minerals present in the mined rock. In some cases, simple, inexpensive techniques are enough to produce the required grade. For example, crushing and screening is used to get rid of the coarse hard siliceous material, and attrition scrubbing and desliming is used to remove the clayey fine fraction. If silica is the main gangue material, single-stage or double-stage flotation is the conventional mineral processing technique used in this case. If the ore is igneous carbonatitic alkaline or ultra basic phosphate deposit, crushing, grinding, scrubbing, and flotation associated with other steps such as magnetic and/or gravity separation is proved to be successful in upgrading this type of ore. The sedimentary phosphate ores having carbonate-apatite as the main phosphate minerals and containing carbonates (calcite and/or dolomite) represent a challenge in the field of phosphate concentration due to similarity in the physico-chemical properties of surfaces of the ore constituents. Also, if considerable amount of organic matter constitutes the main gangue material, upgrading of the ore becomes difficult. New flotation systems (techniques and reagents) are being developed to treat these challenging phosphate ores. Furthermore, calcination is another solution for upgrading these difficult-to-treat types of ores. However, calcination is indicted with some controversial drawbacks. This overview discusses and summarizes the State-of-the-Art and the existing efforts to overcome these problems and to produce a high-grade phosphate product suitable for fertilizers and other phosphate compounds.     

Selective flotation of scheelite from calcium minerals with sodium oleate as a collector and phosphates as modifiers. I. Selective flotation of scheelite

The effects of Na₂SiO₃, Na₃PO₄, Na₄P₂O₇, (NaPO₃)₆, quebracho, tannic acid and S 808 (sulphonated product of rough phenantrene) on the floatability of the following five pure minerals: scheelite, calcite, fluorite, garnet and quartz, with sodium oleate as collector were investigated in detail as well as the role of pH on these effects. The results obtained indicate that Na₄P₂O₇ and (NaPO₃)₆ were effective modifiers for the selective flotation of scheelite. The results of the batch flotation tests on mixtures of these minerals showed that the recovery of scheelite from scheelite-silicate mixtures (31% WO₃) with (NaPO₃)₆ or Na₄P₂O₇ increased by 20% as compared with sodium silicate and the WO₃ grade of the concentrate by 5%. At room temperature, the scheelite-calcium mineral mixtures could not be separated with sodium silicate. In the separation of these mixtures with the phosphate modifiers, a concentrate grade of 47–60% WO₃ was obtained at 70–90% recovery. This showed that the flowsheet of the selective flotation of scheelite with phosphate modifiers may replace the conventional Petrov's process.     

Two-stage reverse flotation process for removal of carbonates and silicates from phosphate ore using anionic and cationic collectors

Phosphate rock contains various gangue minerals including silicates and carbonates which need to be reduced in content in order to meet the requirements of the phosphate industry. Froth flotation has become an integral part of phosphate concentration process. In this study, double reverse flotation was applied to recover apatite from phosphate ore. H₃PO₄ and CaO were used as phosphate depressants, in acidic and alkaline conditions. Fatty acids and amines were added as carbonate and silicate collectors respectively. An experimental protocol devised to optimize the grade and recovery of phosphate using anionic–cationic method was found effective. Consequently, a required high quality of phosphate concentrate containing 30.1% P₂O₅ was obtained, with a recovery of 94%. X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy studies were performed to define the main minerals.     

Flotation of calcareous Mussorie phosphate ore

Separation of Mussorie rock phosphate (P₂O₅ = 20%) from Uttar Pradesh, India, containing pyrite, calcite and other carbonaceous impurities by flotation has been successfully attempted to upgrade the phosphate values. Based on Hallimond cell flotation results of single and synthetic mineral mixtures of calcite and apatite using oleic acid and potassium phosphate, conditions were obtained for the separation of calcite from apatite which is considered to be the most difficult step in the beneficiation of calcareous phosphates. Further studies using 250 g of the mineral (?60 +150 and ?150 mesh fractions, deslimed) in laboratory size Fagergren subaeration machine employed a stagewise flotation viz. carbonaceous materials using terpineol, pyrite using potassium-ethyl xanthate and calcite using oleic acid respectively. Separation was, however, found to be unsatisfactory in the absence of a depressant.Among starch, hydrofluosilicic acid and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, which were tried as depressants for apatite in the final flotation stage, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate proved to be superior to others. However, the tests with the above fractions did not yield the required grade. This was possibly due to insufficient liberation of the phosphate mineral from the ore body and different experimental conditions due to scale up operations. Experiments conducted using ?200 mesh deslimed fractions has yielded an acceptable grade of 27.6% P₂O₅ with a recovery of about 60%. The results have been explained in terms of the specific adsorption characteristics of phosphate ions on apatite and the liberation size of the mineral.     

Mineral processing and extraction of rare earth elements from the Wadi Khamal Nelsonite Ore, Northwestern Saudi Arabia

A technological sample (50 kg) from Wadi Khamal Nelsonite ore was subjected to magnetic and flotation concentration techniques. Excellent recovery percentages of 72.95% and 71.22% were achieved by the dry/wet magnetic and flotation concentration techniques, respectively. The weight of the apatite concentrate reached a reasonable percentage of approximately 23.5% with an overall 40.23% P₂O₅ total content. Analytical data of the apatite concentrate after digestion in concentrated sulfuric acid revealed that the total content of the rare earth elements (REE) constitutes about 0.2% of the total apatite content. The REE content (0.2%) was partitioned between phosphoric acid liquor (65%) and gypsum precipitate (36%). The extraction of the REEs from the phosphoric acid liquor using oxalic acid and sodium carbonate–bicarbonate mixture (1:10?w/w) yielded the RE oxide cake which constitute about 1.2% (w/w). The produced rare earth oxide cake contains traces of various metal oxides, e.g., SrO, Na₂O, etc. in addition to rare earth oxides. Attempts to determine quantitatively the constituents of the cake will be considered in future work.     

The use of soil geochemistry in outlining phosphate deposits, northern and southern Venezuela

Phosphate deposits have been outlined in Falcón State (Northern Venezuela) and Táchira State (Southwestern Venezuela) using geochemical soil methods.The phosphate deposits located in Falcón State constitute lenses and masses interbedded with Tertiary limestone and shales. The area is covered by a thick soil with few outerops and the region is characterized by typical tropical rain forest. Soil samples taken every 1000 m across complete stratigraphic sequences were analyzed for P₂O₅ content. An anomalous area with a P₂O₅ content ranging from 3.19% to 9.04% was outlined accompanied by areas with less than 0.83% of P₂O₅. More than 11 million metric tons of commercial phosphatic rock were associated with this anomaly.In Táchira State several stratigraphic sequences of potentially phosphatic rocks with a thick cover of black soil were geochemically investigated. Soil samples taken each 10 m were analyzed for P₂O₅. A sequence of phosphatic rock was outlined showing a P₂O₅ content varying between 7.3% and 9.2%. Apparently the sequence is interbedded with phosphate-poor siliceous rocks showing a P₂O₅ content below 2%.As result of this preliminary investigation, expensive trenching, pitting and drilling works can be carefully planned.     

Microlaboratory study on magnetic,gravity and high-tension separation of hercynite and pleonaste from low-grade ilmenite concentrates

Some ilmenite concentrates obtained from oleate flotation of ilmenite ores from NE Poland contain less than the required 45% TiO₂ due to the presence of green spinels (hercynite and pleonaste). Such concentrates were further upgraded by different separation techniques. It was established at microlaboratory scale that magnetic, gravity and high-tension separations can provide qualified ilmenite concentrates with TiO₂ recovery in the order of 50 to 80%.     

The oxygen isotopic composition of phosphate as an effective tracer for phosphate sources in Hongfeng Lake

In order to characterize the oxygen isotopic composition of internal phosphate and explore the possibility of using these data to identify phosphate sources, we measured oxygen isotopic compositions of phosphate (δ¹⁸O_p) in sediment pore water in Hongfeng Lake, a typical deep-water lake in a mountainous area. These data, in combination with δ¹⁸O_p in surface water samples and water column samples, were successfully used to identify phosphate sources. The δ¹⁸O_p value of sediment pore water ranged from 15.2‰ to 15.8‰, with an average value of 15.5‰—the δ¹⁸O_p value of internal phosphate. The δ¹⁸O_p values decreased gradually through the water column from 19.4‰ in surface water to 16.4‰ in deeper water, implying that internal phosphate had more negative δ¹⁸O_p values than external phosphate. This finding was substantiated by horizontal variations in δ¹⁸O_P values, which decreased with increasing distance from inflowing rivers. All collected evidence suggests that external and internal phosphate have distinctly different isotopic signatures and that these signatures have not been considerably altered by biological mediation in Hongfeng Lake. Therefore, δ¹⁸O_P can be used to distinguish phosphate sources. A two-endmember mixing model showed that internal phosphate had an average contribution of 40%, highlighting the influence of internal phosphorus loading on aqueous phosphate and eutrophication. This study illustrates the need to reduce the internal phosphorus load from sediment and provides guidance for nutrient management and in-lake restoration treatment in Hongfeng Lake. The data presented here are limited, but serve to highlight the great potential of δ¹⁸O_p as an effective tracer for identifying phosphate sources. Systematic investigations of the oxygen isotopic compositions of external phosphate, internal phosphate, and phosphate through the water column, in combination with in-lake P biogeochemical cycle study, would be desirable in further research.     

Uranium (U) concentration and its genetic significance in the phosphorites of the Paleoproterozoic Bijawar Group of the Lalitpur district,Uttar Pradesh,India

The paper presents the uranium (U) concentration and distribution pattern in the Paleoproterozoic phosphorites of Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The study of thin sections, SEM and XRD reveal that apatite is the essential phosphate mineral while quartz and feldspars are the dominant gangue in the phosphorites of the investigated area. The collophane is observed to be mostly oolitic in form and microspherulitic in texture. The major element geochemistry indicated that the phosphorite samples are rich in P₂O₅, CaO, SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ whereas depletion of MgO, MnO, K₂O and Al₂O₃ was observed. The CaO/P₂O₅ ratio ranges from 1.13 to 1.46 which is slightly lower than that of cations and anions substituted francolite (1.621) and close to that of carbonate-fluorapatite (1.318). The trace element geochemistry indicates that the phosphorites of Lalitpur have the significant range of U concentration (1.67 to 129.67 μg/g) which is more than that of Th (0.69 to 0.09 μg/g) among the analysed trace elements in the phosphorite samples of the area. The positive correlation of U with P₂O₅, CaO and U/P₂O₅ indicates a close association of U with phosphate minerals like collophane (apatite), whereas negative correlation of U with SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ may be due to mutual replacement. The antipathetic relationship of U with Ni may be an indication of high oxidizing conditions, whereas sympathetic relationship of U with K₂O points towards higher alkaline conditions of the basin of deposition during phosphatization. The variable concentration of U and its relationship with significant major and trace elements in most of the phosphorite samples lead one to believe that the deposition of these phosphorites might have taken place in highly alkaline medium during fairly oxidizing to weakly reducing environmental conditions of geosynclinal basin.     

新型捕收剂RA-92在低品位碳酸锰矿选矿中的应用

微细粒低品位锰矿由于颗粒间的非选择性聚集、浮选药剂用量大、浮选效率低等技术难题而致使其利用困难,造成大量浪费。在品位低于13%的锰矿浮选技术研究中,捕收剂最受关注,前人已研究了多种类型的捕收剂,所得精矿品位在16.9%~18.3%之间,回收率为56%~97%,回收率比较理想,但精矿品位总体不高。本文将新型捕收剂RA-92应用于湖南凤凰-花垣地区低品位碳酸锰矿(锰品位为10.7%)的选矿工艺中,实验研究了磨矿细度、pH值、抑制剂和捕收剂用量对浮选效果的影响,在最佳工艺条件下,精矿品位由原矿的10.7%提升至17.4%,回收率达到80.2%。研究表明RA-92对碳酸锰矿具有良好的捕收性能,浮选工艺相对简单且捕收剂用量少,浮选成本较低,可为此种捕获剂在微细粒低品位碳酸盐锰矿选矿中的应用得到推广。     

Geochemical diagenetic trends during phosphorite formation – economic implications: The case of the Negev Campanian phosphorites,Southern Israel

Research on the Upper Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) Negev phosphorites (Mishash Formation), based on microprobe analyses, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, wet chemistry, microtextural (Scanning Electron Microscopy) studies and mineralogical analyses, together with quantified rates of sedimentation and P accumulation, enables the chemistry of these rocks to be better constrained across the Negev area and allows their suitability for the manufacture of P fertilizers to be better determined. Two phosphorite facies are differentiated: (i) a pristine phosphorite facies of low P content, more typical of basinal sections and (ii) a reworked, granular phosphorite facies commonly enriched in P, found predominantly near palaeo‐highs and forming most of the economic phosphates. The distribution of F/P₂O₅, CO₂/F, U(IV), Cd, Zn and other trace metals (Mo, Ni, Cr, Cu, V and Y), rare‐earth elements concentration, Ce and Eu anomalies and heavy rare earth elements enrichment, are controlled by these two facies. F/P₂O₅ in carbonate‐fluorapatite is much lower (0·090 to 0·107) in the pristine than in the reworked facies (0·107 to 0·120); in addition, the lower F/P₂O₅ in the pristine facies is coupled with: (i) higher Cd, Zn, Mo, Ni, Cr, Cu and V concentrations; (ii) a considerably reduced (< 10%) U(IV) fraction of total U; (iii) lower rare earth elements/P₂O₅ and Y/P₂O₅ ratios; (iv) less negative Ce and Eu anomalies and lower heavy rare earth elements (Lu/La) enrichment; (v) an increase in Fe‐rich smectites in the clay fraction; and (vi) presence of OH in the carbonate‐fluorapatite structure. Sedimentary reworking of previously formed pristine phosphate, together with its redeposition near structural highs in more oxic bottom conditions, results in considerable diagenetic changes in the chemistry of the phosphorites, making them more suitable for economic exploitation. The results presented here provide geochemical criteria for identifying pristine phosphate in other phosphorite sequences and may help to better locate phosphate strata chemically suitable for the phosphate industry elsewhere.     

Selective flotation of scheelite from calcium minerals with sodium oleate as a collector and phosphates as modifiers. II. The mechanism of the interaction between phosphate modifiers and minerals

The respective effects of phosphate modifiers on the solubility of calcium minerals in water, on the surface charge of the minerals and on the adsorption of the phosphates and of sodium oleate on the mineral surface were examined. The Auger spectra and the infrared spectra of the minerals treated with these reagents were also investigated. The ability of the phosphates to complex metal ions was determined by nephelometric titration. The structures of the minerals and their effects on their floatability, as well as structures of the phosphates and their effects on the complexation power were discussed. A mechanism of depression of the calcium minerals through the selective complexing dissolution of calcium ions from the mineral surface was derived and explains the higher selectivity obtained in scheelite flotation when (NaPO₃)₆ or Na₄P₂O₇ are used as modifiers.     

The role of P2O5 in silicate melts

Phase equilibria data in the systems SiO₂-P₂O₅, P₂O₅-M_xO_y, and P₂O₅-M_xO_y-SiO₂ are employed in conjunction with Chromatographic and spectral data to investigate the role of P₂O₅ in silicate melts. Such data indicate that the behavior of P₂O₅ is complex. P₂O₅ depolymerizes pure SiO₂ melts by entering the network as a four-fold coordinated cation, but polymerizes melts in which an additional metal cation other than silicon is present. The effect of this polymerization is apparent in the widening of the granite-ferrobasalt two-liquid solvus. In this complex system P₂O₅ acts to increase phase separation by further enrichment of the high charge density cations Ti, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca, in the ferrobasaltic liquid. P₂O₅ also produces an increase in the ferrobasalt-granite REE liquid distribution coefficients. These distribution coefficients are close to 4 in P₂O₅-free melts, but close to 15 in P₂O₅-bearing melts.The dual behavior of P₂O₅ is explained in a model which requires complexing of phosphate anions (analogous to silicate anions) and metal cations in the melt. This interaction destroys Si-O-M-O-Si bonds polymerizing the melt. The higher concentration of Si-O-M-O-Si bond complexes in immiscible ferrobasaltic liquids relative to their conjugate immiscible granite liquids explains the partitioning of P₂O₅ into the ferrobasaltic liquid.     

Tracing sources and cycling of phosphorus in Peru Margin sediments using oxygen isotopes in authigenic and detrital phosphates

Many (bio)geochemical processes that bring about changes in sediment chemistry normally begin at the sediment-water interface, continue at depth within the sediment column and may persist throughout the lifetime of sediments. Because of the differential reactivity of sedimentary phosphate phases in response to diagenesis, dissolution/precipitation and biological cycling, the oxygen isotope ratios of phosphate (δ¹⁸O_P) can carry a distinct signature of these processes, as well as inform on the origin of specific P phases. Here, we present results of sequential sediment extraction (SEDEX) analyses combined with δ¹⁸O_P measurements, aimed at characterizing authigenic and detrital phosphate phases in continental margin sediments from three sites (Sites 1227, 1228 and 1229) along the Peru Margin collected during ODP Leg 201. Our results show that the amount of P in different reservoirs varies significantly in the upper 50 m of the sediment column, but with a consistent pattern, for example, detrital P is highest in siliciclastic-rich layers. The δ¹⁸O_P values of authigenic phosphate vary between 20.2‰ and 24.8‰ and can be classified into at least two major groups: authigenic phosphate precipitated at/near the sediment-water interface in equilibrium with paleo-water oxygen isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O_w) and temperature, and phosphate derived from hydrolysis of organic matter (P_org) with subsequent incomplete to complete re-equlibration and precipitated deeper in the sediments column. The δ¹⁸O_P values of detrital phosphate, which vary from 7.7-15.4‰, suggest two possible terrigenous sources and their mixtures in different proportions: phosphate from igneous/metamorphic rocks and phosphate precipitated in source regions in equilibrium with δ¹⁸O_w of meteoric water. More importantly, original isotopic compositions of at least one phase of authigenic phosphates and all detrital phosphates are not altered by diagenesis and other biogeochemical changes within the sediment column. These findings help to understand the origin and provenance of P phases and paleoenvironmental conditions at/near the sediment-water interface, and to infer post-depositional activities within the sediment column.     

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.     

New occurrence of potential phosphate resource in northeast Jordan

An exploration program aided by field investigation, exploration drilling, detailed sampling, lithological and petrological studies, geochemical investigation, and resource calculation leads to the discovery of a potential phosphate resource in northeast Jordan close to the international border with Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The studied phosphate is of the Middle Eocene age that belongs to the Wadi Shallala Formation. It is equivalent to the phosphate deposits recorded in the lower part of the Umm Wual Formation in the Turayf region of Saudi Arabia and the Eocene Ratga Formation in the Ethna phosphate deposit west of Iraq. The phosphorites in the region are broadly similar in mineralogical composition and geochemical affinities. X-ray diffraction indicates the presence of francolite with variable amounts of calcite and quartz. Most samples consist of phosphate clasts embedded in carbonate and silica matrix and cement. P₂O₅ content is up to 32.3 % with an average equal to 18.6 %. The impurity is caused by the presence of variable amounts of SiO₂ and CaO. The F% and F/P₂O₅ ratio in studied phosphates is lower compared with that in phosphates from Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The geological and geochemical results were integrated for resource estimation. Three high-grade phosphate layers with ≥23 % P₂O₅ were considered in the calculations. The phosphate resource is classified as an inferred resource. The total volume of the resource is about 649 million tons. The average P₂O₅ content is 24.57, and the stripping ratio is 1:5.8.     

L'association glauconites—Phosphates—Carbonates (Albien de la Sierra de Espuña,Espagne méridionale)

The authors have studied an Albian glauconite—phosphate—carbonate ore in the Sierra de Espuña (Murcia), situated in the betic Cordilleras, nappe of Malaga. The geochemical data concern 76 samples from which the following elements were titrated by spectro-photometric methods: P, Fe, Ti, Al, Mg, Mn, Ca, Na, K, Zn, Li, Ni, Cr and Sr.The percentages of SiO₂, P₂O₅, Al₂O₃, K₂O and total Fe with respect to the insoluble fraction and the CaCO₃, Mn, P₂O₅ amounts permit of partly explaining the phosphate—glauconite bond. The pH and Eh conditions, deduced from vertical variations in the chemistry, are associated with the mineralogic evolution of the glauconites.The authors define the paleoenvironment of this glauconite—phosphate ore deposit. They clearly separate the environment of the genesis from that of sedimentation of the grains. The sedimentation of carbonate—phosphate—glauconitic particles occurred in a confined environment without continental debris. These grains were formed in proximity of the shelf edge.The phosphate and carbonate supplies are attributed to upwelling of deep waters.     

甘肃龙首山绿草泉沟磷矿矿床地质特征和成因分析

文章介绍了甘肃龙首山地区绿草泉沟磷矿的地质特征、矿床成因、找矿标志等,对该地区的含磷岩系进行了详细的剖析.绿草泉沟磷矿赋存于震旦系草大板组底部碎屑岩中,呈层状展布于复式背斜两翼;通过普查工作共圈定磷矿体17条,矿体呈层状、似层状,长度40～1840 m,厚度1.08～7.01 m,控制矿体斜深为40～240 m,品位w...     

Geochemical and statistical characterization of the phosphate facies of the Farim‐Saliquinhé phosphate mineralization (Guinea‐Bissau)

The Eocene Farim‐Saliquinhé phosphate mineralization (FSPM) is a buried sedimentary deposit located in the northern part of Guinea‐Bissau, discovered and spatially constrained during the 1980s by the French Geological Survey (BRGM). In the present work some of the data collected at that time are reworked in the framework of the development of a 3D geological and geochemical model of this mineralization. We show the usefulness of two classical multivariate statistical methods – principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) – applied to eight geochemical variables (P₂O₅, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, F and CO₂) measured in 247 samples from phosphate facies, for differentiation of samples taken from the different phosphate facies recognized in the FSPM, namely the main ore FPA (30 to 35% high grade phosphate), the calcareous low grade phosphate FPB (10 to 20% P₂O₅) (both Lutetian), and a mineralized Upper Eocene to Lower Oligocene cover (mainly including the FPO level and a silico‐aluminous phosphate bed), overlying the FPA, which can also be considered a third set of phosphate facies associated with the FSPM.     

大别山高级变质岩云母Rb—Sr等时线年龄测定及其地质意义

应用云母Rb Sr等时线法对大别山高级变质岩的后期改造历史进行了初步的探讨。采用重液变温技术将云母按比重的区别 ,分成若干组分 ,然后用常规的Rb Sr方法测定。应用这种技术对大别山黄土岭太古代麻粒岩相岩石中的黑云母和产于超高压变质带内的石马含石榴石片麻岩的白云母进行了Rb Sr等时线年龄测定。黄土岭太古代麻粒岩相片麻岩中的黑云母 全岩Rb Sr等时线年龄为 12 7± 9Ma ,与该区片麻岩中的角闪石的K Ar和Ar Ar年龄 ,及燕山期花岗岩的Rb Sr年龄一致 ,说明这一太古代下地壳岩石受到了燕山期深熔 岩浆事件的影响 ;大别山东南部石马含石榴石片麻岩 (榴辉岩相 )中的白云母Rb Sr等时线年龄为 191± 10Ma ,反映了印支 早燕山期区域性低级变质事件的时代。研究表明 ,大别山区的不同构造单元中产出的不同类型的高级变质岩自中生代以来有不同的后期演化历史。