新疆望峰金矿区成矿流体的Si同位素示踪研究及其成矿意义

新疆望峰金矿区金的成矿作用与硅化作用密切相关,文章通过对矿区典型矿体的赋矿围岩、蚀变岩石及矿石进行Si同位素组成研究,探讨了成矿流体中硅质来源、演化过程及其成矿意义。结果表明:1望峰金矿体围岩具有较均一的Si同位素组成,δ30Si=-0.2‰(n=3),显示了花岗质原岩Si同位素组成特征,动力变质作用对原岩硅同位素组成无明显影响;2蚀变岩石Si同位素组成均一性较高,δ30Si=-0.1‰(n=3),显示了花岗质原岩Si与成矿期热液Si的混合特征;3矿石Si同位素组成变化范围较大,不同类型矿石的Si同位素组成差异较明显:硅化蚀变糜棱岩型δ30Si=-0.5‰~-0.2‰(n=9),集中于-0.3‰~-0.2‰,平均-0.3‰;硅化蚀变岩型δ30Si=-0.3‰~-0.1‰(n=9),平均-0.2‰;热液石英脉型δ30Si=-0.3‰~0.1‰(n=6),平均-0.1‰。望峰金矿区金成矿流体中的硅质,主要来源于花岗质赋矿围岩。矿石中Si同位素组成变化较大,是富硅成矿流体演化过程中发生Si同位素动力学分馏的结果,矿体下部及矿区深部应有一定的找矿前景。     

A Raman spectroscopic study of shock-wave densification of anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) glass

Structural modifications induced by shock-wave compression up to 40 GPa in anorthite glass are investigated by Raman spectroscopy. In the first investigation, densification increases with increasing shock pressure. A maximum densification of 2.2% is obtained for a shock pressure of 24 GPa. This densification is attributed to a decrease of the average ring size, favoring three-membered rings. The densification is much lower than in silica glass subject to shock at similar pressures (11%), because the T-O-T bond angle decrease is impeded in anorthite glass. For higher shock pressures, the decrease of the recovered densification is attributed to partial annealing of the samples due to high after-shock residual temperatures. The study of the annealing process of the most densified glass by in-situ high temperature Raman spectroscopy confirms that relaxation of the three-membered rings occurs above about 900 K. Received: 21 July 1998 / Revised and accepted: 27 January 1999     

Elemental and isotopic geochemistry in the hydrothermal area of Chaves,Vila Pouca de Aguiar (northern Portugal)

Chaves thermal waters (76°C) are the most important external manifestations of low-temperature geothermal systems occurring in Portuguese mainland. They are related to crystalline granitic rocks. This paper describes the use of the environmental isotopic composition (oxygen-18, deuterium, and tritium) of hot and cold waters of the Chaves area as an important hydrogeological tool to solve specific problems arising in the appraisal of the geothermal resources of the area (e.g., origin and age of waters, recharge area, and underground flow paths).¹⁸O and D analyses seem to confirm the meteoric origin of Chaves thermal waters. The local altitude dependence of meteoric waters was determined by¹⁸O and D analyses of superficial and shallow groundwaters of the Chaves plain and its bordering mountains. Chaves thermal waters seem to be related to meteoric waters, infiltrated on the highest topography areas (Bolideira granitic outcrop NE Chaves), that percolate at great depth and emerge in a discharge area at lower altitude (Chaves plain). Chaves thermal waters showing little oxygen-18 shift and low tritium concentrations could be considered external manifestations of an old geothermal system in which the isotopic water-rock interaction is adjusted to equilibrium.     

松潘—甘孜碎屑沉积岩的地球化学与Sm-Nd同位素地球化学

通过对松潘—甘孜地块与龙门山区的前寒武纪—三叠纪碎屑沉积岩的主量与微量元素地球化学及Sm-Nd同位素地球化学的系统研究,确定这些碎屑岩应属于杂砂岩与长石砂岩,其物质来源上应是镁铁质与长英质及石英 碳酸盐的混合物。从前寒武纪到三叠纪稀土总量增高、铕负异常更为明显,反映了壳内深熔作用的不断加强。晚古生代处于相对稳定的构造环境,而出现铈负异常。Nd模式年龄在1.6～2.4Ga之间,分布特征类似于扬子克拉通、南秦岭、北秦岭,而完全不同于华北克拉通,从而证明物质来源主要是扬子克拉通,是在扬子克拉通的基础上发展而成的构造单元。源区对比分析表明新元古代构造层应是沉积盆地的主要物源,其次是太古宙与古元古代,三叠纪的碎屑沉积岩中应含有晚古生代的幔源物质。三叠纪碎屑沉积岩的Nd同位素组成的空间分布特征说明北、东是剥蚀区,西、南为深水沉积区。     

Elemental and isotopic fractionation of Type B CAI-like liquids by evaporation

Vacuum evaporation experiments with Type B CAI-like starting compositions were carried out at temperatures of 1600, 1700, 1800, and 1900 °C to determine the evaporation kinetics and evaporation coefficients of silicon and magnesium as a function of temperature as well as the kinetic isotope fractionation factor for magnesium. The vacuum evaporation kinetics of silicon and magnesium are well characterized by a relation of the form J = J_oe^−E/RT with J_o = 4.17 × 10⁷ mol cm⁻² s⁻¹, E = 576 ± 36 kJ mol⁻¹ for magnesium, J_o = 3.81 × 10⁶ mol cm⁻² s⁻¹, E = 551 ± 63 kJ mol⁻¹ for silicon. These rates only apply to evaporation into vacuum whereas the actual Type B CAIs were almost certainly surrounded by a finite pressure of a hydrogen-dominated gas. A more general formulation for the evaporation kinetics of silicon and magnesium from a Type B CAI-like liquid that applies equally to vacuum and conditions of finite hydrogen pressure involves combining our determinations of the evaporation coefficients for these elements as a function of temperature (γ = γ₀e^−E/RT with γ₀ = 25.3, E = 92 ± 37 kJ mol⁻¹ for γ_Si; γ₀ = 143, E = 121 ± 53 kJ mol⁻¹ for γ_Mg) with a thermodynamic model for the saturation vapor pressures of Mg and SiO over the condensed phase. High-precision determinations of the magnesium isotopic composition of the evaporation residues from samples of different size and different evaporation temperature were made using a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The kinetic isotopic fractionation factors derived from this data set show that there is a distinct temperature effect, such that the isotopic fractionation for a given amount of magnesium evaporated is smaller at lower temperature. We did not find any significant change in the isotope fractionation factor related to sample size, which we interpret to mean that recondensation and finite chemical diffusion in the melt did not affect the isotopic fractionations. Extrapolating the magnesium kinetic isotope fractionations factors from the temperature range of our experiments to temperatures corresponding to partially molten Type B CAI compositions (1250-1400 °C) results in a value of α_Mg ≈ 0.991, which is significantly different from the commonly used value of .     

Relaxation mechanisms and effects of motion in albite (NaAlSi3O8) liquid and glass: A high temperature NMR study

The nuclear magnetic relaxation of ²³Na and ²⁹Si in albite glass and liquid has been studied from 800 K to 1400 K. The dominant spin-lattice relaxation mechanism for ²³Na is found to be nuclear quadrupole interaction arising from the Na⁺ diffusion. The activation energy of the Na diffusion is found to be 71±3 kJ/mol, in close agreement with the results on electrical conductivity and on Na self-diffusion from radio-tracer experiments. The correlation time of the Na motion is estimated to be about 8.5×10^?11 s near the melting point (～1390 K). Both nuclear dipole-dipole interaction and chemical shift anisotropy interaction are large enough to contribute to the ²⁹Si relaxation. However, calculations based on a simplified model which employ single correlation time and exponential correlation function, with interactions typical of crystalline silicates, cannot completely account for the experimental data. NMR relaxation data also reveal that the Si motion is correlated to the Na motion and that the Si is relatively immobile. Several possible motions of SiO₄ tetrahedra that can cause ²⁹Si relaxation are suggested. The motion responsible for ²⁹Si relaxation differs from that which is responsible for viscosity: the apparent activation energy for the former is much lower. Measurements of spin-spin relaxation times and linewidths are also presented and the significance of their temperature dependence is discussed.     

西天山Muruntau金矿床地质和S-Pb同位素示踪

Muruntau金矿床位于乌兹别克斯坦卡拉库姆板块北缘,是世界规模最大的金矿床。赋矿地层为一套发生绿片岩相浅变质作用的含炭复理石建造。矿区主要经历了四期变形变质作用(D1-D4),矿体受构造控制明显,就位于桑格龙套-塔姆德套与穆龙套-道古兹套剪切带的构造交汇部位,金矿化主要产于次级韧脆性断裂中。对矿床的矿石硫化物及地层开展了系统S、Pb同位素研究,结果表明石英脉型及蚀变岩型矿石中硫化物的δ34S变化范围较大,集中于2.2‰~6.1‰,其中蚀变岩型矿石中毒砂样品δ34S值集中于2.2‰~4.6‰,含金石英脉中硫化物样品δ34S值集中于3.0‰~6.1‰,方解石-石英脉中硫化物样品δ34S值集中于3.5‰~4.0‰,表明矿石中硫主要来源于地层,可能有少量岩浆硫加入。2件黑色页岩中毒砂206Pb/~(204)Pb为19.906~20.378,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb为15.730~15.750,208Pb/~(204)Pb为38.388~39.894;3件含金石英脉中黄铁矿206Pb/~(204)Pb为18.848~19.431,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb为15.669~15.736,208Pb/~(204)Pb为38.346~38.879;2件方解石脉中毒砂206Pb/~(204)Pb为18.715~19.563,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb为15.639~15.740,208Pb/~(204)Pb为38.640~39.295。6件地层岩石样品的铅同位素组成206Pb/~(204)Pb为19.416~20.600,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb为15.675~15.746,208Pb/~(204)Pb为38.876~39.431。矿石铅与地层铅均落于上地壳与造山带之间,矿石铅显示较大的跨度,且与地层岩石铅具有部分重合,显示成矿物质具有双重来源,与赋矿地层及造山期变质流体均表现出密切成因联系。结合矿床地质特征总结分析,沉积地层的物质准备+多期构造运动驱动变质流体运移(D1-D4)+岩浆热液的后期叠加应该是Muruntau巨量金属富集的关键控制因素。     

Use of orthophosphate complexing agents to investigate mechanisms limiting the alteration kinetics of French SON 68 nuclear glass

This investigation was carried out to assess the protective properties of the alteration film that develops during aqueous alteration of the French SON 68 (R7T7-type) nuclear glass, notably by examining the behavior of some network-forming cations in the presence of complexing anions. Glass alteration was studied here in the presence of orthophosphate ions. Comparisons were established between two series of tests performed with a solution containing orthophosphate ions and control tests performed under the same conditions but without phosphates. The first series of experiments was performed under initial rate conditions (i.e. in dilute media) to assess the effect of pH and phosphate concentration on the initial glass dissolution rate. Under these conditions, which ensure maximum chemical affinity of the glass dissolution reaction, phosphate adsorption occurs at the reaction interface only with acid pH values, at which the glass dissolution reaction is strongly inhibited. The elements that form complexes with the phosphates (Al, Fe, etc.) partially control glass dissolution in acidic media. Additional experiments carried out under saturated conditions — notably with respect to Si — in a solution enriched with phosphates showed that rare earth and Ca phosphates precipitated in the outer region of the alteration film, maintaining a glass dissolution rate significantly higher than in the control experiment. These observations have several implications. (1) Comparing the results obtained in the presence of phosphates and in the reference medium, the authors demonstrate deductively that glass dissolution is limited by the inner portion of the alteration film, i.e. the amorphous gel. (2) A kinetic law of SON 68 glass dissolution cannot be based on silica alone; the results of these experiments contradict Grambow’s model. (3) With regard to control of the glass dissolution kinetics by the protective properties of the gel, this type of experiment shows that the relation between the chemical composition and the microstructure of the gel is an important aspect in modeling the glass alteration kinetics, but that it is still poorly understood.     

Uncovering pathways of metal contamination with microscopic techniques and lead isotopic tracing

Over several decades, there has been considerable disagreement about heavy-metal contamination in mining communities as to whether the contamination arose from natural processes such as oxidation and weathering over millennia or from mining activities. More sophisticated geochemical methods and isotopic tracing especially for lead (Pb) may or may not provide definitive answers. We suggest that relatively simple approaches using the microscopic techniques of optical microscopy complemented by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive analyses along with X-ray diffraction can provide definitive answers to the conundrum. Heavy liquid and –53 + 48 µm fractions of soil, pavement and gutter sweepings, dust depositional gauges, long-term dust accumulation, vacuum cleaner dust and ceiling dust were investigated using the above methods. The most common Pb-bearing particles consisted of Pb, Fe, Mn, Al, Si and O. The majority of grains were rounded with cavities and overgrowths, and showed evidence of transport and recrystallisation, probably deriving from post-mining activities and/or earlier geological processes. A small number of samples from ceiling dust, pavement sweepings, vacuum cleaner dust and long-term dust accumulation contained galena with a high degree of crystallinity suggesting a derivation from recent mining and ore concentration activities. High-precision Pb isotopic analyses showed that some samples with extensive oxidation and weathering had absorbed Pb from sources other than mine Pb, and these could be from gasoline, paint or weathering of the country rocks.     

稀有金属矿物微区同位素定年与示踪

作为战略性关键金属矿产资源, 钨、锡、铌、钽、锂、铍、铷、铯、锆、铪、稀土等稀有金属, 在国民经济与国家安全方面有着重要的研究意义。稀有金属矿石矿物微区同位素定年与示踪, 是开展稀有金属矿床成矿作用研究的最直接手段, 具有整体分析无可比拟的优点。近年来, 钨锡铌钽锆铪稀土等稀有金属矿物微区U-Pb定年与Sr-Nd-Hf同位素示踪发展迅速, 而锂铍铷铯等稀有金属矿物微区Rb-Sr/Lu-Hf定年正蓬勃发展。本文综述了黑钨矿、白钨矿、锡石、铌钽矿(铌钽氧化物类矿物的简称)、独居石、磷钇矿、氟碳铈矿等稀有金属矿物微区U-Pb定年与Sr-Nd-Hf同位素示踪技术主要进展, 展望了锂云母、铁锂云母、铯沸石、钾长石(天河石)等微区Rb-Sr定年与磷钇矿、磷灰石、褐帘石、独居石、黑钨矿、白钨矿等微区Sm-Nd和Lu-Hf定年的广阔前景, 获得如下认识: (1)低铀矿物U-Pb定年, 除了采用高灵敏度磁式等离子质谱外, 元素成像技术能很好地揭示微量元素之间相关性, 进而快速锁定高U/Pb区域, 提高低铀矿物U-Pb定年成功率; (2)铌钽矿-锡石激光微区Hf同位素能够直接示踪花岗岩-伟晶岩稀有金属成岩成矿物质源区, 但这方面工作仍需进一步加强; (3)碰撞/反应池等离子质谱的出现, 使高Rb/Sr、Sm/Nd或高Lu/Hf比矿物的同位素定年成为现实, 是未来稀有金属激光微区同位素年代学发展的新方向; (4)实验方法研发与标准物质研制相辅相成、相互促进, 仍是当前迫切需要解决的关键技术难题。随着战略性关键金属日渐成为国内外成矿作用研究的热点, 钨锡铌钽锂铍铷铯锆铪稀土等稀有金属矿物微区同位素定年与示踪方法研究, 必将为我国新一轮稀有金属矿床学研究做出应有的学术贡献。

     

Elemental and isotopic abundances of lithium in chondrule constituents in the Allende meteorite

Elemental and isotopic abundances of lithium in chondrule constituents in the Allende CV3 meteorite were determined using secondary ion mass spectrometry. Olivines and mesostasis dominated by a feldspathic phase are depleted in Li ( and , respectively). In contrast, low-Ca pyroxenes and mesostasis dominated by a Na-rich phase are enriched in Li ( and , respectively) and the interchondrule matrix is generally enriched in Li ( on average). The Li isotopic abundance of olivine ranges from to 21. The spatial distributions of elemental and isotopic abundances of Li in olivines within individual chondrules exhibit no systematic pattern. This suggests that the distribution of Li in olivine was not disturbed during aqueous alteration or thermal metamorphism on the Allende meteorite parent body. Although mesostasis is the last crystallizing phase from a chondrule melt and is expected to be enriched in Li, in the Allende meteorite it is generally depleted in Li. We suggest that during aqueous alteration on the CV asteroid, Li in mesostasis was leached out by aqueous fluids. The Li-enriched Na-rich mesostasis was probably produced later by infiltration of Na-rich fluids. It seems likely that aqueous fluids sequestered alkali elements from the Allende-chondrite region in the CV parent asteroid, although significant amounts of Li are preserved in ferrous olivine in the interchondrule matrix.     

Chemical and isotopic (C, O, Sr, Nd) characteristics of the Xiluvo carbonatite (central-western Mozambique)

Summary The Xiluvo complex of central Mozambique is made up of coarse- to fine-grained calciocarbonatites (sövites and alvikites), heavily altered lamprophyres and syenitic rocks that intruded the Precambrian basement ca. 120Ma ago. The carbonatites have fractionated rare earth element patterns (chondrite-normalized La/Yb=30–80) and markedly negative Rb, K, P, Zr and Ti anomalies in mantle-normalized incompatible element diagrams. The ¹⁸O (+7 to +8), ¹³C (–5), and the age-corrected ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7032–0.7033) and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.51263–0.51262) indicate an origin in the mantle. A few carbonatitic samples have higher ¹⁸O (+13), indicating interaction with high-¹⁸O crust or late-stage fluids. The chemical and isotopic compositions of the Xiluvo carbonatites and nearby carbonatites of similar age in Malawi indicate very similar sources, characterized by time-integrated depletion of Rb with respect to Sr and of Sm with respect to Nd. These characteristics point to a source similar in many respects to those of other East African carbonatites and to those of some ocean island basalts, with the additional influx of components possibly located in the African lithospheric mantle.     

Sea floor basalt alteration: Some chemical and Sr isotopic effects

Major element, Sr isotope and trace element data for 16 elements are reported for various weathered zones in three submarine basalt pillows. During the initial stages of alteration, it appears that SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CaO, S, and Ga are lost from the basalt, whereas Fe₂O₃, total Fe, MnO, K₂O, H₂O, Cl, B, Rb, and Cs increase. Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios also increase during weathering. MgO, Na₂O, P₂O₅, Ba, Ni and Cu show significant (10–50%) but less consistent changes. TiO₂, Zr, Sr and V show only minor changes (<7%). Zn, Cr, Co, Y and Nb show no changes outside experimental error.     

广西栗木锡铌钽矿田成矿物质来源的惰性气体同位素示踪

文章利用黄铁矿流体包裹体惰性气体同位素,探讨了广西栗木锡铌钽矿田成矿流体的来源.黄铁矿流体包裹体的3He/4He比值为0.14～0.97 Ra,远远低于地幔流体的比值,接近饱和大气水的比值,并与地壳流体的比值处在相同的数量级上;40 Ar/36 Ar比值为555.98～ 855.11,平均705.55,显然偏离大气氩的同位素组成;40Ar*/4He比值为0.08～0.27,平均值为0.153,接近地壳值;20Ne/22 Ne=9.671～9.748和21Ne/22 Ne=0.0306～ 0.0330,具有饱和大气水的Ne同位素比值特征.结果表明,广西栗木锡铌钽矿田老虎头、牛栏岭和金竹源3个矿床的成矿流体是大气水和地壳流体的混合流体;水溪庙矿床的成矿流体也主要是大气水和地壳流体的混合流体,但可能有少量地幔流体的加入.     

Ab initio quantum-mechanical modeling of pyrophyllite [Al2Si4O10(OH)2] and talc [Mg3Si4O10(OH)2] surfaces

Bulk and slab geometry optimizations and calculations of the electrostatic potential at the surface of both pyrophyllite [Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂] and talc [Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂] were performed at Hartree–Fock and DFT level. In both pyrophyllite and talc cases, a modest (001) surface relaxation was observed, and the surface preserves the structural features of the crystal: in the case of pyrophyllite the tetrahedral and octahedral sheets are strongly distorted with respect to the ideal hexagonal symmetry (and basal oxygen are located at different heights along the direction normal to the basal plane), whereas the structure of talc deviates slightly from the ideal hexagonal symmetry (almost co-planar basal oxygen). The calculated distortions are fully consistent with those experimentally observed. Although the potentials at the surface of pyrophyllite and talc are of the same order of magnitude, large topological differences were observed, which could possibly be ascribed to the differences between the surface structures of the two minerals. Negative values of the potential are located above the basal oxygen and at the center of the tetrahedral ring; above silicon the potential is always positive. The value of the potential minimum above the center of the tetrahedral ring of pyrophyllite is ?0.05 V (at 2 Å from the surface), whereas in the case of talc the minimum is ?0.01 V, at 2.7 Å. In the case of pyrophyllite the minimum of potential above the higher basal oxygen is located at 1.1 Å and it has a value of ?1.25 V, whereas above the lower oxygen the value of the potential at the minimum is ?0.2 V, at 1.25 Å; the talc exhibits a minimum of ?0.75 V at 1.2 Å, above the basal oxygen.     

Phase transitions and associated domains in hexacelsian (BaAl2Si2O8)

Phase transitions and associated domains of BaAl₂Si₂O₈-hexacelsian were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Two polymorphs were found: a hexagonal with space group P6₃/mcm and a pseudohexagonal orthorhombic one with space group Immm. P6₃/mcm-hexacelsian displays antiphase domains with the displacement vector 1/2 c and Immm-hexacelsian contains twin domains with the three-fold twin axis parallel z and antiphase domains with the displacement vector 1/2 c. When P6₃/mcm-hexacelsian is heated above ～ 300°C it inverts to Immm-hexacelsian. The reversible and rapid transition and the associated formation of domains was studied by in situ experiments using a heating holder. P6₃/mcm and Immm are not connected among each other by a group-subgroup relationship, but both are subgroups of P6/mmm. The occurrence of twin and/or antiphase domains respectively in the polymorphs agrees with the symmetry reductions.     

High pressure behaviour of lead feldspar (PbAl2Si2O8)

An in situ high pressure powder diffraction study, using high-brilliance synchrotron radiation, on lead feldspar (PbAl₂Si₂O₈) was performed. Two samples, with Q _od=0.68 and 0.76, were loaded in a diamond anvil cell and were compressed up to 11 GPa. Up to P=7.1 GPa the only phase present is lead feldspar. In the range 7.1–9.4 GPa sudden changes in the position of the reflections suggest the transformation of lead feldspar to a new phase (probably feldspar-like). The absence of split that would be compatible with triclinic symmetry rules out the monoclinic-triclinic transition, that was reported for the structurally similar strontium feldspar. At P>9.4 GPa some new extra reflections not indexable in the feldspar cell are present as well. During decompression the lead feldspar was the only phase present at P<6 GPa. Peak enlargement was observed with pressure, probably preliminary to amorphization. However almost complete amorphization was observed only after fortuitous shock compression at ∼18 GPa; the crystallinity was recovered at room pressure after decompression. The bulk modulus for lead feldspar was K=71.0(9) and 67.6(1.2) GPa for the two samples, in the range reported for feldspars. The cell parameters show a compression pattern which is similar to that observed in anorthite, with Δa/a ₀>Δc/c ₀>Δb/b ₀; comparison with the high temperature behaviour shows that for lead feldspar the strain tensor with pressure is more isotropic and the deformation along a is less prominent. A turnover in the behaviour of the β angle with pressure suggests a change in the compression behaviour at P∼2 GPa. Rietveld refinement of the Pb coordinates was performed in a series of spectra with pressure ranging from 0.6 to 6.5 GPa. The combined analysis of cell parameters and Pb coordinates with pressure showed that the compression of the structure is mainly achieved by an approach of Pb atoms along a *. Received: 21 July 1998 / Revised, accepted: 13 October 1998     

Chemical,isotopic and amino acid composition of Mukundpura CM2.0(CM1) chondrite: Evidence of parent body aqueous alteration

The carbonaceous chondrites are intriguing and unique in the sense that they are the only rocks that provide pristine records of the early solar nebular processes. We report here results of a detailed mineralogical, chemical, amino acid and isotopic studies of a recently observed fall at Mukundpura, near Jaipur in Rajasthan, India. Abundance of olivines in this meteorite is low and of serpentine minerals is high. FeO/SiO_2 = 1.05 in its Poorly Characterized Phases(PCP) is similar to that observed in other CM2.0 chondrites. The water content of ～9.8 wt.% is similar to that found in many other CM chondrites.Microscopic examination of matrix shows that its terrestrial weathering grade is WO but aqueous parent body alteration is high, as reflected in low abundance of identifiable chondrules and abundant remnants of chondrules(～7%). Thus, most of the chondrules formed initially have been significantly altered or dissolved by aqueous alterations on their parent bodies. The measured bulk carbon(2.3%) and nitrogen content and their isotopic(δ¹³C =-5.5‰, δ¹⁵N = 23.6%0) composition is consistent with CM2.0 classification probably bordering CM1. Several amino acids such as Alanine, Serine, Proline, Valine, Threonine,Leucine, Isoleucine, Asparagine and Histamine are present. Tyrosine and Tryptophan may occur in trace amounts which could not be precisely determined. All these data show that Mukundpura chondrite lies at the boundary of CM2.0 and CM1 type carbonaceous chondrites making it one of the most primitive chondrites.     

Microanalysis of colloids and suspended particles from nuclear waste glass alteration

Fully radioactive and non-radioactive Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) borosilicate glasses were reacted with water under static conditions at glass surface area to leachant volume (S/V) ratios of 340 m⁻¹, 2000 m⁻¹, and 20 000 m⁻¹ for times varying from several days to several years at 90°C. A radioactive SRL 200 glass was also reacted under intermittent flow conditions at 90°C. Colloidal and suspended glass alteration particles present in the leachates of these tests were examined with analytical transmission electron microscopy (AEM). The major colloidal phase identified in all tests was partially crystalline dioctahedral smectite clay. At 20 000 m⁻¹, the clay colloids flocculate and sediment, becoming attached to available surfaces when the ionic strength reached a value of about 0.3–0.5 mol·kg⁻¹. Clay colloids remained stable in the solution for the duration of the experiment in tests conducted at S/V values of 2000 m⁻¹ and 340 m⁻¹. Calcite, dolomite, and transition metal oxide particles were more common in the intermittent flow tests but were also found in the static tests. Layered, Mn-bearing minerals, birnessite and asbolane, were found exclusively in the intermittent flow tests. Weeksite and a U-Ti phase were found exclusively in the static tests. Partially crystalline rare earth-bearing calcium phosphate colloids, structurally related to rhabdophane, were found in both types of tests. These particles exhibited a negative Ce anomaly. The affinity of phosphate for Pu was investigated through geochemical modeling. The results from this study and others were used to form a picture of colloidal development in the leachate from waste glass testing.