Dauphiné twinning and texture memory in polycrystalline quartz. Part 3: texture memory during phase transformation

Samples of quartz-bearing rocks were heated above the α (trigonal)–β (hexagonal) phase transformation of quartz (625–950°C) to explore changes in preferred orientation patterns. Textures were measured both in situ and ex situ with neutron, synchrotron X-ray and electron backscatter diffraction. The trigonal–hexagonal phase transformation does not change the orientation of c- and a-axes, but positive and negative rhombs become equal in the hexagonal β-phase. In naturally deformed quartzites measured by neutron diffraction a perfect texture memory was observed, i.e. crystals returned to the same trigonal orientation they started from, with no evidence of twin boundaries. Samples measured by electron back-scattered diffraction on surfaces show considerable twinning and memory loss after the phase transformation. In experimentally deformed quartz rocks, where twinning was induced mechanically before heating, the orientation memory is lost. A mechanical model can explain the memory loss but so far it does not account for the persistence of the memory in quartzites. Stresses imposed by neighboring grains remain a likely cause of texture memory in this mineral with a very high elastic anisotropy. If stresses are imposed experimentally the internal stresses are released during the phase transformation and the material returns to its original state prior to deformation. Similarly, on surfaces there are no tractions and thus texture memory is partially lost.     

Thermal expansion and phase transitions in åkermanite and gehlenite

Thermal expansion has been measured by laboratory and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction for end-member åkermanite (ak, Ca₂MgSi₂O₇) and gehlenite (ge, Ca₂Al₂SiO₇) in the range 20–1,500 K. In ak in the range 340–390 K, there is a negative linear thermal expansion in [001] direction. This is related to the phase transition from an incommensurate modulated structure (IC) to a normal one (N). The volumetric mean thermal expansion coefficients for ak and ge, obtained with a linear fit of the experimental data in the temperature range 298–1,400 K, are respectively 32.1×10^–6 and 28.3×10^–6 K^–1 . The variation of the c/a ratio with temperature, due to different thermal expansion along the crystallographic axes, can be related to the different behaviour of the tetrahedral layers in the N and IC phases. Analysis of the variation of the superstructure peaks intensity across the phase transition confirms the tricritical behaviour of the IC/N transition in ak.     

Dynamics of the α-β phase transitions in quartz and cristobalite as observed by in-situ high temperature 29Si and 17O NMR

Relaxation times (T₁) and lineshapes were examined as a function of temperature through the - transition for ²⁹Si in a single crystal of amethyst, and for ²⁹Si and ¹⁷O in cristobalite powders. For single crystal quartz, the three ²⁹Si peaks observed at room temperature, representing each of the three differently oriented SiO₄ tetrahedra in the unit cell, coalesce with increasing temperature such that at the - transition only one peak is observed. ²⁹Si T₁'s decrease with increasing temperature up to the transition, above which they remain constant. Although these results are not uniquely interpretable, hopping between the Dauphiné twin related configurations, ₁ and ₂, may be the fluctuations responsible for both effects. This exchange becomes observable up to 150° C below the transition, and persists above the transition, resulting in -quartz being a time and space average of ₁ and ₂. ²⁹Si T₁'s for isotopically enriched powdered cristobalite show much the same behavior as observed for quartz. In addition, ¹⁷O T₁'s decrease slowly up to the - transition at which point there is an abrupt 1.5 order of magnitude drop. Fitting of static powder ¹⁷O spectra for cristobalite gives an asymmetry parameter () of 0.125 at room T, which decreases to <0.040 at=" the=" transition=" temperature.=" the=" electric=" field=" gradient=" (efg)=" and=" chemical=" shift=" anisotropy=" (csa),=" however,=" remain=" the=" same,=" suggesting=" that=" the=" decrease=" in="> is caused by a dynamical rotation of the tetrahedra below the transition. Thus, the mechanisms of the - phase transitions in quartz and cristobalite are similar: there appears to be some fluctuation of the tetrahedra between twin-related orientations below the transition temperature, and the -phase is characterized by a dynamical average of the twin domains on a unit cell scale.     

Special and seasonal variations of trace metals in PM10 in Chongqing

Nineteen trace metals in PM10 were measured by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy （XRF） at three sites in Chongqing. The special and seasonal variations of trace metals in PM10 samples collected in the downtown were different from those in the background area of Jinyunshan. The source identification indicated that particulate materials were contributed mainly by two sources.     

Manganese cycling in a eutrophic lake — Rates and pathways

The redox processes regulating transport of Mn in the water column of a eutrophic, dimictic lake (Lake Norrviken, Sweden) are interpreted based on a one-dimensional diffusion-reaction model for Mn(II). It is found that rates and rate constants for oxidation and reduction vary greatly with depth and also with time during the season of stratification. Calculated rates show that Mn(II) oxidation and reduction generally occur in narrow depth intervals (25–50 cm). This is in good agreement with measured profiles of particulate Mn (MnO _x ). Maximum oxidation rate constants (assuming first order kinetics) at each date are in the first half of the season <1 d^–1, but then increases to a rather constant value of about 25 d^–1. These high rate constants are indicative of microbiological involvement in the Mn(II) oxidation. This is further evidenced by SEM-EDS analysis showing Mn enriched particles morphologically similar toMetallogenium. Reductive dissolution of Mn oxides occurs mainly in the zone just below the zone of maximum oxidation rate. The release of Mn(II) is accompanied by production of alkalinity and CO₂. The relation between production rates of Mn(II) and alkalinity indicates that Mn oxides act as terminal electron acceptors in the bacterially mediated oxidation of organic matter. However, the Mn²⁺/CO₂ ratio is significantly lower than what is expected from this process. It is suggested that the Mn reduction is coupled to fermentation. Close coexistence of Mn reduction and oxidation at high rates, such as found in the water column of this lake, facilitates rapid and continuous regeneration of reducible Mn oxides. This gives rise to a quantitatively important mechanism of organic matter oxidation in the water column.     

Defect structure of the low temperature α-cristobalite phase and the cristobalite ⇆ tridymite transformation in (Si-Ge)O2

Using minimum exposure techniques, it is feasible to perform high resolution electron microscopy on the α-cristobalite phase of (Si_0.9 Ge_0.1)O₂, which is extremely radiation sensitive. Such images reveal atomic scale information of twins and tridymite-like stacking faults on (1 1 1)_β planes, as well as of domain boundaries resulting from the β→α transition. Polytype structures are formed in certain cases. Morphological features suggest that the phase transformation cristobalite → tridymite proceeds by means of a zonal dislocation mediated synchro-shear process on (1 1 1)_β planes; the geometry of this process is analyzed. Received: 13 June 1999 / Accepted: 30 October 1999     

Special and seasonal variations of trace metals in PM_(10) in Chongqing

1Introduction Tracemetalsarereleasedtotheatmosphereduring combustionoffossilfuelsandwood,aswellasemis sionsfromavarietyofprocessesactingoncrustalmin erals,includingvolcanism,erosionandsurfaceweath ering.Onaglobalscale,resuspendedsurfacedusts havemadeagreatcontributiontothetotalnaturale missionoftracemetalstotheatmosphere,withCr,Mn andVaccountingfor>50%andCu,Mo,Ni,Pb,Sb andZnaccountingfor>20%,whilevolcanicactivity probablygeneratedasmuchas20%atmosphericCd,Hg,As,Cr,Cu,Ni,PbandSb(Pacyna,19…     

Phytotoxicity assessment of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on root elongation and growth of rice plant

This study was conducted to determine the phytotoxicity of 6 nm γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (IONPs) in terms of root elongation and the physiological performance of rice plants. Rice seeds (Oryza sativa L. var. Koshihikari) exposed to IONPs at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/L, had a significantly higher root elongation than the control and its bulk counterparts (IOBKs), indicating that the effect can be nanospecific. In a 14-week greenhouse pot experiment, the CO₂ assimilation rate in IOBK and IONP-treated pots (500 and 1,000 mg/pot) decreased over time, with the decline (maximum 42.5 %) being less pronounced for IONPs, indicating that the effect cannot be inferred from the toxicity of nanoscale size iron oxide. Excessive adsorption of IONPs onto soil colloids with subsequent low water extractable iron was responsible for the unremarkable phytotoxic nature of IONPs in the rice plants. Amendment of IONPs coated with 20 mmol citric acid (IONPs-Cit) significantly diminished the CO₂ assimilation rate and the decrease was similar to its bulk counterpart (IOBKs-Cit). However, maximum shoot growth inhibition (37 %) was associated with the application of IOBKs-Cit. It was concluded that massive accumulations of Fe plaque on the root surfaces of IOBKs-Cit treatments due to a decline in the pH of rhizoplane soils compared to the IONPs-Cit treatments were responsible for the remarkable shoot growth reduction. This study provided evidence of the phytotoxicity of γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, demonstrating the lower toxicity of nanosized iron oxide compared to a microsized preparation under reductive conditions.     

Dauphiné twinning in deformed quartzites: Implications of an in situ TEM study of the α-β phase transformation

The occurrence of Dauphiné twinning in deformed quartzites has been investigated by means of hotstage high voltage transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In-situ observations show that Dauphiné twins created during the - phase transition interact strongly with dislocation substructures, with the result that some twins persist at temperatures many degrees below the phase transition temperature, and probably to room temperature. Attempts were made to establish whether Dauphiné twinning was responsible for the differences in preferred orientations between positive and negative rhombs, reported by Tullis and Tullis (1972) in quartzites experimentally loaded below the yield stress at various temperatures. The results were inconclusive. We could not identify any Dauphiné twinning in the samples, even in regions where there were concentrations of dislocations.     

Infrared and Raman spectroscopy studies of the α–β phase transition in cristobalite

Infrared and Raman spectra of cristobalite are presented as a function of temperature through the phase transition. The modes are assigned and the assignments compared to those of earlier workers. The compatibility of modes at the G-point of the a-phase with the X and G-points of the ß-phase is given. In the transition region of ca. 500–550 K, smooth changes in intensity, frequency and linewidths are seen in many modes, indicative of coexistence of a- and ß-forms.     

Time scales and length scales in magma ?ow pathways and the origin ofmagmatic Ni-Cu-PGE ore deposits

Ore forming processes involve the redistribution of heat, mass and momentum by a wide range of processes operating at different time and length scales. The fastest process at any given length scale tends to be the dominant control. Applying this principle to the array of physical processes that operate within magma flow pathways leads to some key insights into the origins of magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide ore deposits. A high proportion of mineralised systems, including those in the super-giant Noril'sk-Talnakh camp, are formed in small conduit intrusions where assimilation of country rock has played a major role. Evidence of this process is reflected in the common association of sulfides with varitextured contaminated host rocks containing xenoliths in varying stages of assimilation. Direct incorporation of S-bearing country rock xenoliths is likely to be the dominant mechanism for generating sulfide liquids in this setting. However, the processes of melting or dissolving these xenoliths is relatively slow compared with magma flow rates and, depending on xenolith lithology and the composition of the carrier magma, slow compared with settling and accumulation rates. Chemical equilibration between sulfide droplets and silicate magma is slower still, as is the process of dissolving sulfide liquid into initially undersaturated silicate magmas. Much of the transport and deposition of sulfide in the carrier magmas may occur while sulfide is still incorporated in the xenoliths, accounting for the common association of magmatic sulfide-matrix ore breccias and contaminated "taxitic" host rocks. Effective upgrading of so-formed sulfide liquids would require repetitive recycling by processes such as reentrainment, back flow or gravity flow operating over the lifetime of the magma transport system as a whole. In contrast to mafic-hosted systems, komatiite-hosted ores only rarely show an association with externally-derived xenoliths, an observation which is partially due to the predominant formation of ores in lava flows rather than deep-seated intrusions, but also to the much shorter timescales of key component systems in hotter, less viscous magmas. Nonetheless, multiple cycles of deposition and entrainment are necessary to account for the metal contents of komatiite-hosted sulfides. More generally, the time and length scale approach introduced here may be of value in understanding other igneous processes as well as non-magmatic mineral systems.     

Spatial polarization and dynamic pathways of Foreign Direct Investment in China 1990–2009

The spatial and sectoral distribution of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in China has changed dramatically in the past two decades. FDI was largely concentrated in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) and other Southern Coastal provinces in early stages and shifted to the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and the Bohai Economic Rim (BER) sequentially in later stages. It created unique and dynamic paths of the spatial evolution of FDI in China. Although many provinces have received relatively more FDI since the late 2000s, Guangdong and Jiangsu are still the two major recipients of FDI in China, demonstrating and over-arching polarization process. Furthermore, most FDI in China has been in the manufacturing sector, making China well-known as the “World Factory of Manufacturing”. This paper analyses the most recent trends, characteristics and patterns of FDI in China. It portrays the factors that determined the investment location and the dynamic pathways of different kinds of FDI. This paper also foresees the possible changes in spatial and sectoral distribution of FDI in the near future and provides policy suggestions for both China and other developing countries in seeking new FDI inflows and transforming their industrial structures and economies in this particular phase of globalization.     

Special Xenoliths in an Aegirine-Augite Syenite Porphyry in Liuhe, Yunnan, China： Discovery and Implications

Three special types of xenoliths have recently been found in an aegirine-augite syenite porphyry in Liuhe,Yunnan,China.Petrographical,petrochemical,electron microprobe,and scanning electron microscopy studies indicate that pure calcite xenocrysts and quartz-bearing topaz pegmatite xenoliths result from the degassing of mantle fluids during their migration,and that black microcrystalline iron-rich silicate-melt xenoliths are the product of the extraction of mantle fluids accompanying degassing and are com...     

Structural modulations and phase transitions in β-eucryptite: an in-situ TEM study

Beta-eucryptite as grown by the flux method has been investigated by in-situ cold- and hot-stage transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Using electron diffraction and dark-field TEM imaging, we found no evidence for the merohedral twinning that accompanies structural collapse at the β-to-α-quartz transition, suggesting a true hexagonal symmetry for the aluminosilicate framework of β-eucryptite. Selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns exhibited a variety of incommensurate structures along the three a axes with an average modulation period of about 6.5 a. These modulated structures arise from superperiodic stacking parallel to (100) of two structural units with different Li configurations. In-situ heating experiments show that the modulated structures undergo a reversible transition to the disordered modification at elevated temperatures. This transition arises from positional order-disorder of Li ions along the main structural channels. In addition, it appears that at constant low temperature, electron beam irradiation alone can induce a sequence of transitions similar to those that are thermally induced from the ordered modification to modulated states. Received: 12 November 1998 / Revised and accepted: 31 December 1998     

Genetic Type and Metallogenic Mechanism of Bankuan Gold Deposit in Special Reference to the Studies of Fluid Inclusions and Isotopes in Minerals

Auriferous quartz veins in the Bankuan gold deposit occur in the interlayer broken zone of the basal conglomerate of the Tietonggou Formation or at the unconformity between the Tietonggou Formation and the crystalline basement.The composition of fluid inclusions in the minerals indicates that the nature and composition of ore-forming hydrothermal solutions show a drastical change soon after the solutions reached the Tietonggou Formation from the crystalline basement,resulting in gold precipitation.So the Bankuan gold deposit can be assigned to the conglomerate stata-bound-type deposits.137 thermometric data are concentrated in the three ranges 400-340℃,330-220℃ and 180-160℃,representing three episodes of metalogenesis,Oxygen isotope studies demonstrate the evolution of ore-forming hydrothermal solutions from early metamorphic to late meteoric,Diversity of ore-forming materials dominated by deep-source material is supported by sulphur and lead isotope data.From the above discussions it may be concluded that the deposit formed by metamorphism induced as a result of Mesozoic northward intracontinental subduction along the Machaoying fault.     

High-pressure and high-temperature stability of chlorite and 23-Å phase in the natural chlorite and synthetic MASH system

A series of experiments was conducted on the decomposition of natural and chemically mixed chlorites to examine the stable hydrous phases in the MgO–FeO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O (MFASH) system under 5–12 GPa and 700–1100 °C. The upper pressure and temperature limits of the stability region of chlorite are consistent with those observed in previous studies. The hydrous aluminum bearing pyroxene (phase HAPY) and Mg-sursassite (Sur) were observed just above the temperature stability region of chlorite (Chl); clinohumite (cHm) was observed coexisting with phase HAPY at 6 GPa and 800 °C and coexisting with the 23-Å phase at 7 GPa and 800 °C, which may suggest the transportation of water through Chl → (HAPY → cHm) → 23-Å phase along a relatively warm slab. The 23-Å phase has a wider stability region in the pure MASH system (up to 12 GPa and 1100 °C) than it does in the MFASH system (7–10 GPa, up to 1000 °C). The stability of the 23-Å phase beyond the chlorite breakdown pressure indicates that it may play an important role in transporting water into the deep Earth and even into the mantle transition zone.     

Special Xenoliths in an Aegirine–Augite Syenite Porphyry in Liuhe, Yunnan, China: Discovery and Implications

Three special types of xenoliths have recently been found in an aegirine–augite syenite porphyry in Liuhe, Yunnan, China. Petrographical, petrochemical, electron microprobe, and scanning electron microscopy studies indicate that pure calcite xenocrysts and quartz-bearing topaz pegmatite xenoliths result from the degassing of mantle fluids during their migration, and that black microcrystalline iron-rich silicate-melt xenoliths are the product of the extraction of mantle fluids accompanying degassing and are composed dominantly of quartz, chlorite, and iron-rich columnar and sheet silicate minerals with characteristic minerals, such as native iron, apatite, and zircon. According to the bulk-rock chemical and mineral compositions and crystallization states, the microcrystalline melt xenoliths are not the product of conventional magmatism, and especially the existence of native iron further proves that the xenoliths were mantle fluid materials under reduction or anoxic conditions. The study of the special xenoliths furnishes an important deep-process geochemical background of polymetallic mineralization in different rocks and strata in the study area.     

Site occupation and electric field gradient in acentric neptunite-measurements and evaluations concerning powder- and single crystal – Mössbauer spectroscopy and x-ray diffractometry

Mössbauer measurements on neptunite (KNa₂Li(Fe,Mn,Mg)₂Ti₂Si₈O₂₄) at 400?K reveal the distribution of Fe-ions on the crystallographic sites in agreement with neutron diffraction results published elsewhere. Even the previously postulated small amount of Fe-ions on the Ti(2) site has been detected, combined with a charge transfer which is in agreement with optical absorption investigations by other authors. A qualitative site occupation model is able to explain the different features of our observations. Single crystal Mössbauer measurements with the k-vector of incident γ-rays parallel to the crystallographic b-axis (space group Cc) of neptunite at different temperatures yield the angle β between the main component of the electric field gradient (EFG), V _zz and b. This angle is in close accordance with a calculated value of β for the Fe(1) position from electron density maps. The latter also reveal an absolute value of V _zz which is in satisfactory agreement with V _zz derived from Mössbauer spectroscopy.     

Time scales and length scales in magma flow pathways and the origin of magmatic Ni–Cu–PGE ore deposits

Ore forming processes involve the redistribution of heat, mass and momentum by a wide range of processes operating at different time and length scales. The fastest process at any given length scale tends to be the dominant control. Applying this principle to the array of physical processes that operate within magma flow pathways leads to some key insights into the origins of magmatic Ni–Cu–PGE sulfide ore deposits. A high proportion of mineralised systems, including those in the super-giant Noril'sk-Talnakh camp, are formed in small conduit intrusions where assimilation of country rock has played a major role. Evidence of this process is reflected in the common association of sulfides with vari-textured contaminated host rocks containing xenoliths in varying stages of assimilation. Direct incorporation of S-bearing country rock xenoliths is likely to be the dominant mechanism for generating sulfide liquids in this setting. However, the processes of melting or dissolving these xenoliths is relatively slow compared with magma flow rates and, depending on xenolith lithology and the composition of the carrier magma, slow compared with settling and accumulation rates. Chemical equilibration between sulfide droplets and silicate magma is slower still, as is the process of dissolving sulfide liquid into initially undersaturated silicate magmas. Much of the transport and deposition of sulfide in the carrier magmas may occur while sulfide is still incorporated in the xenoliths, accounting for the common association of magmatic sulfide-matrix ore breccias and contaminated “taxitic” host rocks. Effective upgrading of so-formed sulfide liquids would require repetitive recycling by processes such as re-entrainment, back flow or gravity flow operating over the lifetime of the magma transport system as a whole. In contrast to mafic-hosted systems, komatiite-hosted ores only rarely show an association with externally-derived xenoliths, an observation which is partially due to the predominant formation of ores in lava flows rather than deep-seated intrusions, but also to the much shorter timescales of key component systems in hotter, less viscous magmas. Nonetheless, multiple cycles of deposition and entrainment are necessary to account for the metal contents of komatiite-hosted sulfides. More generally, the time and length scale approach introduced here may be of value in understanding other igneous processes as well as non-magmatic mineral systems.