皖南地区埃迪卡拉系皮园村组微体和宏体化石——兼论埃迪卡拉纪-寒武纪界线

国际上寒武纪的开始以遗迹化石Treptichnus pedum的首次出现为标志,我国南方通常以小壳化石的出现或者疑源类Asteridium-Comasphaeridium-Heliosphaeridium化石组合的出现作为前寒武纪-寒武纪界线。由于化石保存的不完整性,仅仅依靠寒武纪化石的首现来确定埃迪卡拉纪-寒武纪界线可能导致其层位偏高,因此需要利用界线之下的埃迪卡拉纪化石对界线进行进一步限定。皖南地区的埃迪卡拉纪-寒武纪界线一直被厘定在皮园村组硅质岩和荷塘组底部磷块岩或黑色页岩交界处,这一划分主要是根据岩石地层的证据和邻区的生物地层资料,但是皮园村组本身缺乏直接的生物地层学资料。为了进一步确定皖南地区的埃迪卡拉纪-寒武纪界线和皮园村组的沉积年龄,系统研究了皖南休宁蓝田剖面皮园村组中的微体化石组合,在皮园村组中发现了埃迪卡拉纪化石Horodyskiacf.minor、Palaeopascichnus cf.jiumenensis、Palaeopascichnus sp.,以及未定名的纺锤状化石和球形化石。Palaeopascichnus在全球范围的埃迪卡拉纪地层中都有发现,且其仅仅局限在埃迪卡拉纪的晚期。在华北地台西缘的正目观组板岩和华南留茶坡组硅质岩曾报道有Horodyskia minor,H.moniliformis?(有可能为H.minor的同物异名),Palaeopascichnus minimus,P.meniscatus,和P.jiumenensis。在皖南Palaeopascichnus cf.jiumenensis和Palaeopascichnus sp.出现在皮园村组硅质岩的中上部,Horodyskiacf.minor一直延伸到皮园村组的顶部,说明由生物地层所划分的埃迪卡拉纪-寒武纪界线与皮园村组-荷塘组岩石地层的界线基本上是一致的。     

浙西底本剖面皮园村组硅质岩元素地球化学特征及成因分析

埃迪卡拉—寒武纪（Ediacaran-Cambrian, E-C）过渡时期在下扬子地区沉积了一套层状黑色硅质岩,在浙西底本剖面称为皮园村组,大致对应于上扬子地区的留茶坡组或老堡组。该套硅质岩普遍具有高有机碳含量和强烈富集铀（U）、钒（V）、钼（Mo）等氧化还原敏感元素的特征,与早寒武世沉积的黑色泥岩共称为黑色岩系,其成因存在争议。文章对浙西地区皮园村组硅质岩开展了系统的主量、微量和稀土元素地球化学研究,探讨了其物质来源和成因。研究表明：（1）如此大范围的深水沉积的硅质岩仅靠热液提供硅质来源是很难形成的,海底热液对其影响很小;（2）埃迪卡拉纪末期生物降解产物对硅质岩的形成具有重要作用,但因为缺乏可靠的古生物证据,目前还不能判定构成硅质岩的物质是否主要来源于生物体,仅能推断生物活动对硅质岩的形成有一定的影响;（3）皮园村组硅质岩主要是化学沉积的产物,二氧化硅主要来源于大陆硅酸盐矿物的风化。     

湘鄂西地区晚埃迪卡拉世-早寒武世硅质岩成因及其页岩气地质意义

湖北宜昌地区在寒武系水井沱组取得页岩气重大突破后,中扬子地区下寒武统富有机质页岩受到了更加广泛的关注。为了查明这套富有机质页岩的成因及其与下伏硅质岩之间的内在联系,系统采集了鄂西宜昌地区鄂宜地2井岩家河组和湘西桃源、张家界地区留茶坡组-牛蹄塘组的硅质岩,利用主量元素和稀土元素数据分析了硅质岩成因,并探讨了不同地区、不同沉积模式及其对下寒武统富有机质页岩形成的意义。结果表明:①鄂宜地2井岩家河组硅质岩的Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)值介于0.30～0.68,在Al-Fe-Mn三角判别图和Fe/Ti-Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)图解上集中分布在沉积成因区;稀土元素Eu异常不明显,配分曲线为平坦模式,且(La/Yb)_N介于1.01～1.81,指示岩家河组硅质岩为沉积成因。②湘西桃源和张家界地区的硅质岩明显分为两种成因。留茶坡组硅质岩Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)值介于0.03～0.19,在Al-Fe-Mn三角图上靠近Fe一端,稀土元素表现明显的Eu正异常,且配分曲线以重稀土元素相对富集的左倾斜为主,指示明显的热液成因;牛蹄塘组硅质岩则表现相反,指示沉积成因。③埃迪卡拉纪末期,湘西斜坡地区靠近热液喷流中心,因此留茶坡组硅质岩以热液成因为主,而宜昌地区位于局限台地附近,富硅热液因受到阻隔而无法进入,因此硅质岩为沉积成因;至寒武纪早期,随着气候变暖、海平面上升,湘西和鄂西地区海水连通,因此该时期硅质岩均为沉积成因。埃迪卡拉纪末期的热液活动为海洋生物的繁盛提供了大量的磷等无机营养元素,对下寒武统水井沱组/牛蹄塘组富有机质页岩的形成具有重要的意义。沉积成因的硅质页岩相很可能是页岩气的有利相带,这或许能为页岩气勘探提供一个新的思路。     

湖南安化留茶坡硅质岩的REE地球化学特征及其意义

湖南安化留茶坡硅质岩沉积在埃迪卡拉纪末期(551～542 Ma)的深水盆地中,它们具有如下REE地球化学特征:和PAAS相比,∑REE含量很低(8.6x10-6~18x10-6,平均13.6x10-4),Y/Ho比值较高(33.6～43.9,平均37.4),接近现代海水的Y/Ho比值(44);正的La异常(LaN/CeN平均为1.46),中等负的Ce异常(平均0.65).弱的正Eu异常(平均1.1),正的Gd异常(平均1.07),正的Y异常(平均1.22),LREE和MREE相对于HREE亏损(LaN/YbN平均为0.17,GdN/YbN平均为0.45),显示出和现代海水相似的REE特征.而与海底热液流体及与热液有关的碧玉的REE特征明显不同.这些表明留茶坡硅质岩受陆源碎屑及热液流体的影响很小.留茶坡硅质岩是由风化作用大量带人海洋的溶解的硅质化学沉积而成的.生物作用促进了海水中溶解硅质的沉淀.     

全球海水剖面Fe同位素组成的不均一性及其影响因素

全球海水剖面Fe同位素组成存在显著不均一性.对大西洋洋中脊、大西洋近海岸带、东太平洋和西太平洋弧后扩张中心多个站位的海水剖面溶解Fe浓度和Fe同位素组成进行了综合分析,得出以下主要认识:（1）不同区域的海水剖面溶解Fe浓度和Fe同位素组成呈现不同的变化特征,海水Fe同位素的变化趋势与海水溶解氧浓度变化一致,而与海水溶解Fe浓度呈镜像变化关系;（2）不同深度的海水溶解Fe浓度和Fe同位素组成特征的主要控制因素不同.表层海水受到大气降尘、生物作用影响呈现富重Fe同位素特征,受河流的影响Fe同位素组成偏轻;深层海水主要受到深海沉积和海底热液活动的影响,其中沉积物中的非还原溶解Fe导致海水富集重Fe同位素,而受洋中脊热液流体影响的深部海水显著富集轻Fe同位素;（3）将目前已知海底热液溶解Fe通量最小值（0.5 Gmol/a）作为全球大洋的热液溶解Fe通量,利用不同来源的溶解Fe同位素与其通量间的关系估算海底热液对海洋的Fe循环的贡献为~5.5%.由于海底热液流体的Fe通量可能远大于0.5 Gmol/a,因此,海底热液活动对海洋溶解Fe的贡献可能远超过前人的估算结果（6.0%）.      

银洞子似碧玉岩的海底热液沉积特征研究

陕西柞水银洞子银铅矿含矿层中发育一种似碧玉岩(硅质岩)。岩石同生沉积且速率较快,含钠长石晶屑、重晶石和镁电气石,未见生物作用痕迹。组成元素的分布、变化或关系与现代或古代海底热液沉积物/(岩)一致或相似。稀土配分式样相似于热液沉积硅质岩及现代海水。氧同位素组成与国外热液沉积的硅质岩相近,石英形成温度(80.8℃)高于正常海水温度。地质、岩石学及地球化学提供了较系统的信息证明似碧玉岩的海底热液沉积成因特征。     

内蒙古正蓝旗羊蹄子山-磨石山钛矿区硅质岩地球化学特征及沉积环境意义

文章通过详细的野外地质调查和系统的岩石化学、稀土元素、微量元素及硅、氧同位素等研究,探讨了羊蹄子山-磨石山钛矿区无矿白色硅质岩和富钛硅质岩的成因及形成地质构造环境。研究结果表明,呈厚层状产出的无矿白色硅质岩具较高的SiO2、Al2O3含量及Al/(Al Fe Mn)、Al2O3/(Al2O3 Fe2O3)比值,稀土元素总量很低,其北美页岩标准化配分模式为向右倾的曲线,无明显铈异常和铕异常,表明其形成于受陆源影响的大陆边缘构造环境;赋矿岩系中薄层状富钛硅质岩的TiO2、Fe2O3、Cu、V含量较高,但Al/(Al Fe Mn)、Al2O3/(Al2O3 Fe2O3)比值较低,稀土元素总量较高,北美页岩标准化曲线为明显左倾型-平坦型,具弱的负铈异常,表明其形成于洋脊及附近环境。两种硅质岩的δ30Si值为变化较小的负值,与热水沉积和某些生物成因硅质岩的硅同位素组成相似,两者的δ18O值范围和平均值均相似。两类硅质岩的成因及形成构造环境不同,富钛硅质岩的地球化学特征表明,该矿床的形成与本区元古宙海底火山热液喷流作用有关。     

浙西银山震旦系沉积岩的地球化学特征及其地质意义

浙西银山震旦系包括蓝田组和皮园村组。蓝田组主要为一套硅质泥岩+含硅灰岩+硅质粉砂岩的组合地层,是银铅锌矿床的重要赋矿层位;皮园村组为一套浅海相的硅质岩沉积。为了解矿床的形成规律,对震旦系沉积岩进行了详细的地球化学研究。主、微量元素分析显示:蓝田组w(SiO2)较低(19.64%～69.43%),"REE较高(36.44×10-6～265.04×10-6),Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)值为0.50～0.67,富含As、Sb、Bi等热水元素;皮园村组w(SiO2)较高(90.12%～95.56%),"REE较低(5.3×10-6～28.29×10-6),Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)值为0.29～0.33,与典型的热水成因硅质岩相似。分析表明:蓝田组含硅沉积岩是碎屑沉积和热水活动的产物,而皮园村组硅质沉积岩主要是热水成因,受陆源物质影响较小。古环境的判别表明研究区在蓝田期以大陆边缘沉积为主,在皮园村期海平面上升,以浅海-半深海沉积为主,这种转变很好地解释了蓝田组与皮园村组的成因差异。最后对蓝田期的热水活动和矿化事件进行了探讨,认为银山地区在蓝田期可能存在着3期较强的热水事件,热水事件的发生引发了Cu、Pb、Zn等金属元素初步富集与矿化,对银铅锌矿床的形成具有很大的贡献。     

塔西北地区早寒武世玉尔吐斯组热液作用及沉积模式

埃迪卡拉纪-寒武纪之交全球沉积了一套黑色泥页岩和硅质岩组合,塔里木盆地早寒武世玉尔吐斯组即包含这样一套组合,并被认为是塔里木古生界主力烃源岩之一,然而目前对这套岩石组合的成因及沉积过程的研究还相对薄弱。在野外研究的基础上,将玉尔吐斯组分为5段,分为两个海进-海退旋回,认为其总体沉积于缓坡背景之上。对第一段硅质岩进行主量元素及稀土元素分析,结果显示其含有较低的Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)和较高的Fe/Ti值(均值分别为0.29和108.24)。在Al-Fe-Mn和Fe/Ti-Al(Al+Fe+Mn)图解上,多数样品落入热液作用范围,表明硅质岩主要受热液作用控制。硅质岩REE配分模式显示其不具有Eu的正异常和LREE富集的特征,这显示了海水对热液的稀释作用。靠近热液盆内口的库勒和什艾日克剖面发育较厚的硅质岩和一系列滑移变形构造。早寒武世时期,南天山洋已经打开,硅质热液广泛发育于整个塔北的深水和浅水区,这些迹象表明该区早寒武世仍然有很强的伸展构造活动。     

桂北泗里口老堡组硅质岩的常量、稀土元素特征及成因指示

桂北泗里口老堡组为一套埃迪卡拉纪—寒武纪过渡时期（大约550～540 Ma）深水盆地沉积的硅质岩。它们的SiO2含量普遍高（平均93.8%）;Al2O3含量为0.17%～4.92%,沿剖面自下而上明显增加,上部超过2%;Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)比值多高于0.42;Fe/Ti比值大都小于16.3;Al2O3/( Al2O3+Fe2O3)比值多高于0.4,剖面上部样品的比值为0.8～0.9;Y/Ho比值为26.4～36.9,中、下部样品较高（多高于32）,上部样品的比值接近地壳值（27）;Eu/Eu*平均值为1.0,正异常不明显。剖面下部样品的∑REE含量低（15.9×10-6～27.1×10-6）,具有与现代海水相近的REE配分,没有正的Eu异常,不同于海底的热液流体和与其有关的碧玉的REE配分;中部样品的∑REE含量为26.2×10-6～49.4×10-6,由于所含陆源碎屑的增加,REE配分变得平坦,但仍有海水REE的某些特征;上部样品的∑REE含量为40.5×10-6～59×10-6,显示与平均页岩相似的平坦的REE配分,但∑REE含量仅为平均页岩的大约1/4～1/3。这些常量和稀土元素特征表明,海底热液和陆源碎屑都不可能成为泗里口老堡组硅质岩的重要物源。埃迪卡拉纪—寒武纪过渡时期华南深水盆地厚层硅质岩沉积反映了这一时期大气高CO2浓度,大量陆源化学风化的硅质流入海洋和大量生物的降解可能是造成这些硅质岩形成的基本原因。     

Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites

Komatiites are mantle-derived ultramafic volcanic rocks. Komatiites have been discovered in several States of India, notably in Karnataka. Studies on the distribution of trace-elements in the komatiites of India are very few. This paper proposes a simple, accurate, precise, rapid, and non-destructive wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometric technique for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites, and discusses the accuracy, precision, limits of detection, x-ray spectral-line interferences, inter-element effects, speed, advantages, and limitations of the technique. The accuracy of the technique is excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th and very good (within 4%) for Y. The precision is also excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th. The limits of detection are: 1 ppm for Sc and V; 2 ppm for Cr, Co, and Ni; 3 ppm for Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sr; 4 ppm for Y and Zr; 6 ppm for Nb; 10 ppm for Ba; 13 ppm for Pb; and 14 ppm for Th. The time taken for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in a batch of 24 samples of komatiites, for a replication of four analyses per sample, by one operator, using a manual WDXRF spectrometer, is only 60 hours.     

高压微波消解法测定醋酸纤维过滤器采集的微尘粒子中的砷镉钴铬铜铁锰镍铅钒锌

最新的流行病学研究表明,空气中较高浓度的悬浮细颗粒可能对人类的健康有不利的影响。根据该项研究显示,由于心脏病、慢性呼吸问题和肺功能指标恶化而导致死亡率的升高与细尘粒子有关。这些研究结果已经促使欧盟于1999年4月出台了限制空气中二氧化硫、二氧化氮、氧化氮、铅和颗粒物含量的法案（1999/30/EC）,对各项指标包括对可吸入PM10颗粒的浓度提出了新的限制性指标。PM10颗粒是指可以通过预分级器分离采集的气体动力学直径小于10 μm的细颗粒。目前研究的兴趣重点逐步偏向PM2.5这些更细微颗粒物,PM2.5这种颗粒物对健康有明显的不利影响。在欧盟指令2008/50/EC中,对PM10和PM2.5都提出了具体测定要求。     

Isotopic systematics of He,Ar, S,Cu, Ni,Re, Os,Pb, U,Sm, Nd,Rb, Sr,Lu, and Hf in the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits

This paper reports the first results of a study of 11 isotope systems (³He/⁴He, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, ³⁴S/³²S, ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu, ⁶²Ni/⁶⁰Ni, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, ^206–208Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, Hf–Nd, U–Pb, and Re–Os) in the rocks and ores of the Cu–Ni–PGE deposits of the Norilsk ore district. Almost all the results were obtained at the Center of Isotopic Research of the Karpinskii All-Russia Research Institute of Geology. The use of a number of independent genetic isotopic signatures and comprehensive isotopic knowledge provided a methodic basis for the interpretation of approximately 5000 isotopic analyses of various elements. The presence of materials from two sources, crust and mantle, was detected in the composition of the rocks and ores. The contribution of the crustal source is especially significant in the paleofluids (gas–liquid microinclusions) of the ore-forming medium. Crustal solutions were probably a transport medium during ore formation. Air argon is dominant in the ores, which indicates a connection between the paleofluids and the atmosphere. This suggests intense groundwater circulation during the crystallization of ore minerals. The age of the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits was determined. The stage of orebody formation is restricted to a narrow age interval of 250 ± 10 Ma. An isotopic criterion was proposed for the ore-bearing potential of mafic intrusions in the Norilsk–Taimyr region. It includes several interrelated isotopic ratios of various elements: He, Ar, S, and others.     

硅酸盐中铁、锰、钛、钙、钾、磷、硅、铝、镁、钠、锶、铷、钡的X-射线荧光光谱定量测定

本文介绍样品经四硼酸锂熔融制成玻璃小饼。采用Lachance模式和理论a系数来校正元素间的效应,由3080E型X-射线荧光谱仪和DF-350B数据处理系统完成硅酸盐中十三个项目的测定。     

硅酸盐类样品中硅、铁、铝、钛、锰、钙、镁、钾、钠和磷的x射线荧光光谱测定

本文拟定了一种以熔融法制备样片,用X射线荧光光谱测定硅酸盐类样品中Si、Fe、Al、Tj、Mn、Ca、Mg、K、Na、P等元素的分析方法。在对不同靶材X光管和分光晶体实验对比的基础上,选择了最佳的测量条件。该法具有快速、准确,测量范围广,检测限低,价格便宜等优点。经过近百个各种类型标样或管理样品的分析对比表明,本法不仅适用于硅酸盐类岩石样品的分析,还适用于铁矿、铝土矿、碳酸盐类岩矿样品以及水泥、耐火材料等样品的分析。     

Viscous, cohesive, non-Newtonian, depositing, radial slurry flow

Mining induced subsidence can significantly affect mining costs where major surface facilities and natural environment need to be protected. Overburden grout injection is a technology used to control coal mine subsidence by injecting the mine waste material extracted from the coal back into the inter-burden rock during longwall mining. The flowing slurry is here categorised as a nonlinear viscous cohesive (Bingham plastic) fluid. During longwall mining the grout slurry is pumped into the separated beds of the rock mass through a central vertical borehole, which is drilled deep into the inter-burden rock strata above the coal seam. However, a blockage can occur in the injection system when the slurry velocity falls below a certain critical threshold velocity, indicating a material phase change from cohesive-viscous to cohesive-frictional. In situ field injection tests through boreholes have been simulated at a smaller scale at the CSIRO laboratory in Brisbane by pumping the slurry through a radial disk (gap = 4 mm) from its centre. Laboratory experiments indicate a general, nonlinear, cohesive, viscous, frictional model for shear behaviour of the slurry, in which the material shear parameters are functions of the disk radial distance. Complete dimensional and dimensionless analytical solutions have been developed based on an approach related to Bingham–Herschel–Bulkley fluid mechanics. The derived formulae include relations for minimum pump pressure, local pressure and pressure gradient, wall shear stress, volume rate, velocity and velocity gradient. The theoretical results match the experimental measurements. The experiments covered slurries with maximum particle sizes of 0.5 to 2 mm with about 50% being larger than 100 µm. The viscosities at the various solids concentrations were measured with a standard torsion viscometer. This study differs from the previous research in several distinct aspects, namely, consideration of the variable shear parameters rather than fixed values, inclusion of total nonlinear behaviour, and implementation of a friction function to mimic behaviour of the deposited and consolidating stiff slurry, which can cause a significant pressure rise as a result of the increased shear resistance.     

Mountains,nations, parks,and conservation

Between 1985 and 1991, two new mountain protected areas (MTNPA) covering more than 35,000 km² and based on participatory management models — the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, Nepal, and Qomolangma Nature Preserve, Tibet Autonomous Region — were successfully established through the collaborative efforts of Woodlands Mountain Institute and conservationists in China and Nepal. Characteristics common to both projects include the importance of establishing (1) effective rationales, (2) local support constituencies, (3) a senior advisory group, (4) a task force, (5) linkages between conservation and development, and (6) fund raising mechanisms. The lessons derived from the experiences of Woodlands Mountain Institute are of significant value to others in preserving MTNPA. Increased collaboration and communication between all interested in conservation, however, will remain a critical component for expanding mountain protected area coverage to throughout the world.     

Regional distribution of Al,B, Ba,Ca, K,La, Mg,Mn, Na,P, Rb,Si, Sr,Th, U and Y in terrestrial moss within a 188,000 km2 area of the central Barents region: influence of geology,seaspray and human activity

Five hundred and ninety-eight samples of terrestrial moss (Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi) collected from a 188,000 km² area of the central Barents region (NE Norway, N Finland, NW Russia) were analysed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. Analytical results for Al, B, Ba, Ca, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Si, Sr, Th, U and Y concentrations are reported here. Graphical methods of data analysis, such as geochemical maps, cumulative frequency diagrams, boxplots and scatterplots, are used to interpret the origin of the patterns for these elements. None of the elements reported here are emitted in significant amounts from the smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula. Despite the conventional view that moss chemistry reflects atmospheric element input, the nature of the underlying mineral substrate (regolith or bedrock) is found to have a considerable influence on moss composition for several elements. This influence of the chemistry of the mineral substrate can take place in a variety of ways. (1) It can be completely natural, reflecting the ability of higher plants to take up elements from deep soil horizons and shed them with litterfall onto the surface. (2) It can result from naturally increased soil dust input where vegetation is scarce due to harsh climatic conditions for instance. Alternatively, substrate influence can be enhanced by human activity, such as open-cast mining, creation of ‘technogenic deserts’, or handling, transport and storage of ore and ore products, all of which magnify the natural elemental flux from bedrock to ground vegetation. Seaspray is another natural process affecting moss composition in the area (Mg, Na), and this is most visible in the Norwegian part of the study area. Presence or absence of some plant species, e.g., lichens, seems to influence moss chemistry. This is shown by the low concentrations of B or K in moss on the Finnish and Norwegian side of the (fenced) border with Russia, contrasting with high concentrations on the other side (intensive reindeer husbandry west of the border has selectively depleted the lichen population).     

NEW SET OF LOW CONCENTRATION STANDARDS FOR LA, CE, SM, YB, LU, Y, SC, V, NB AND TA IN SILICATES

We have developed a set of four synthetic standards for the rare earth and high field strength elements designed for use in the determination of those elements in silicates. The base material is a glass nominally at the eutectic of the MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ ternary system. The nominal doping level was 2 wt% of the elements as oxides. To avoid problems associated with peak interference, the elements were doped in four separate glasses.