A preliminary case study of potential ceramic raw materials in the Aileu area of Timor Leste

The newly independent country of Timor Leste is located in the eastern half of Timor Island (Indonesian archipelago). Geological studies of the country’s mineral resources and extractive activities are practically non-existent. There is evidence of the exploitation of ceramic raw materials at outcrop level and two small brick kilns, nowadays inactive, in the Dili and Aileu areas. Near Aileu, there are light-coloured silt-rich deposits, interpreted as overbank deposits, interbedded with ancient river terraces (post-Pliocene) overlying metamorphic bedrock. These sediments are the subject of this study, which encompassed geological mapping and preliminary characterisation. Tectonically, the area is a graben, preserving alluvium and colluvium deposits. Five channel samples representative of the silt-rich deposits were collected. Semi-quantitative mineralogical analysis shows that the samples are made of illite, quartz and kaolinite clays, with accessory illite/vermiculite interstratified minerals and K-feldspar. The chemical data show agreement with the estimated mineralogical composition. The grain size distribution points to a silt-dominated assemblage. Most samples have a satisfactory extrudability but deficient moulding properties. After firing, the sampled raw materials form a final product with possible ceramic capability for whiteware production.     

Distribution of trace elements in fracture fillings from the “Mina Fe” uranium deposit (Spain) by sequential leaching: implications for the retention processes

Sequential leaching methods have been used to determine the mineralogical distribution of some trace elements for environmental purposes, such as radiological contamination of soils and sediments, bioavailability studies and natural analogues of deep geological radwaste disposals. In this context, a 7-step-sequential leaching protocol is applied to Fe(III)–U(VI)-rich fracture filling materials from the oxidised zone of the “Mina Fe” U deposit to identify and evaluate the main sinks of natural nuclides and other analogue trace elements, since it is crucial in the performance assessment of a nuclear waste repository.After a careful characterisation of the samples, the analytical data from each leaching step were statistically analysed and then interpreted in light of the mineralogical and geochemical features of the samples. Precise knowledge of the mineralogical distribution of trace elements by sequential leaching methods is quite complex, mainly due to cross-contamination throughout the different steps of the experiments. Thus, the results obtained suggest that U is retained as U-minerals, mainly oxides, closely associated with crystalline Fe-oxyhydroxides. Though Ce and La also form independent compounds, such as Ce oxides and La–Nd phosphates, they are mainly retained by the amorphous Mn-oxyhydroxides. However, the crystalline Mn-oxyhydroxides are the main sink for Ni and crystalline Fe-oxyhydroxides mainly retain P.     

HyLogger-3, a visible to shortwave and thermal infrared reflectance spectrometer system for drill core logging: functional description

Australian Geological Surveys are the custodians of a major national asset in the form of historically drilled and archived drill cores of the top few kilometres of the continent acquired by government agencies and companies over many decades. The AuScope National Virtual Core Library (NVCL) component of the AuScope Earth Model comprises geological/rock samples, technology, people and database/delivery infrastructure located in six nationally distributed nodes and is aimed at extracting additional value from this asset. The technology components of the NVCL comprise an integrated suite of hardware (HyLogger-3) and software (TSG-Core) systems for the imaging and hyperspectral characterisation of drill cores in their original core trays and the interpretation of their contained oxide, carbonate, hydrous and anhydrous silicate mineralogy. The HyLogger-3 includes state-of-the-art Fourier Transform Spectrometers that continuously measure calibrated spectral reflectance from nominal 10 by 18 mm fields of view. These spectra are in turn passed through a series of automatic and semi-automatic pre-processing and mineralogical unmixing algorithms. These, along with numerous other tools in TSG-Core, output a variety of mineralogical and image products for use by scientists in many branches of the earth sciences. This paper provides a functional overview of the HyLogging hardware and software tools available in each of Australia's Geological Surveys.     

Compositional analysis of Yayoi‐Heian period ceramics from Okinawa: Examining the potential for provenance study

In Okinawa, locally produced pottery dates back to the Initial Jomon period (˜6500 ¹⁴C yr B.P.). Later in time, especially during the Early Yayoi‐Heian period (˜300 B.C.–A.D. 300), ceramic assemblages appear to contain mainland (Japan) Yayoi pottery. A greater number of these sherds present in Okinawa over time coincide with an increasing amount of interaction with mainland Japan, as evidenced by other exchange items. In this preliminary study, the authors analyzed sherds from several Early Yayoi‐Heian period deposits from sites in Okinawa using thin‐section petrography and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). The objective was to examine the applicability of these techniques for Okinawan ceramic provenance studies, assess intra‐ and intersite variation in mineralogical and chemical composition, and determine whether some sites exhibited a higher frequency of pottery from one locale versus another that might suggest the importation of pottery from mainland Japan. Results are equivocal, suggesting that the region's geological complexity may inhibit successful provenance study of ceramics using these and possibly other compositional techniques. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Geoarchaeological investigations of the “potters' quarter” at Sagalassos,southwest Turkey

The potters' quarter of the ancient city of Sagalassos, southwest Turkey, was one of the largest and most enduring ceramic‐producing manufactories in the eastern Mediterranean. The objective of our study was to determine environmental circumstances that favored development of different clay resources in the territory of Sagalassos and to assess utilization of these resources in the local pottery manufactory. The potters' quarter was established where, owing to favorable geological circumstances, a large clay body had developed. The bedrock in the potters' quarter, a tectonized ophiolite sequence, has synclinal structure; hence, surface runoff and groundwater tend to accumulate in its center. The weathering of the basic rock formed a smectite‐rich clay with vertic properties. This clay was mined in antiquity, and mineralogical and chemical analyses indicate that it was used for the production of local ceramics from Hellenistic to Byzantine times. It is likely that colluvium on top of the ophiolitic clay at the potters' quarter is related to deforestation and slope processes after the potters' quarter was abandoned. In sum, environmental circumstances determined the location of the artisanal quarter of Sagalassos, with its clay quarrying operation and ceramic manufactory. However, for the local mass‐produced Sagalassos red slip ware, the results of our chemical and mineralogical analyses indicate that a different, more suitable clay was used: detrital lake sediments, rich in chlorite and chlorite/smectite mixed layers, located about 8 km from the original artisanal quarter. The choice for this clay was determined both by the presence of a suitable clay deposit, as well as socio‐economic circumstances such as land ownership. The site of Sagalassos yielded unique evidence of mining of clay at a ceramic production site, as well as import of nearby clays. The local and imported clays were used side‐by‐side, but one for the production of common wares and building ceramics, and the other for the manufacturing of luxury fine tablewares. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

我国一些地区海绿石的矿物学研究

本文对七个地区的海绿石矿物学特征进行了较详细地研究,并讨论了它们之间的变化关系。海绿石样品采集地点和层位见表1。     

Chemical Characterisation of Geological Raw Materials Used in Traditional Ceramics

A wide range of natural raw materials is used in the manufacture of traditional ceramic products such as ceramic tiles, frits, glazes and pigments. The chemical composition of these raw materials needs to be strictly controlled to assure end-product quality and enable the identification of the origin of defects caused by impurities or contamination. Six types of ceramic raw materials (silica sand, clays and kaolin, feldspars and related minerals, calcium and magnesium carbonates, sodium and calcium borates, and zirconium silicates) have been analysed in this study. X-ray fluorescence (XRF), potentiometry, coulometry and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) were used in this chemical characterisation. A methodology has been established for characterising each studied raw material, by identifying the chemical elements to be determined, selecting the most appropriate technique and validating each measurement. The reference materials used for validation were BCS CRM 267, 313/1, 393 and 388 (BAS), GBW 03103, GBW 07404, NIST SRM 181, 201a and 1835, Euronorm CRM 782-1 and Syenite SY-2. The results showed that most of the elements present in the geological samples used as traditional ceramic raw materials could be determined by XRF. The determination of light elements, such as lithium, fluorine and boron, is more suitably conducted by ICP-AES/AAS, potentiometry or potentiometry/ICP-AES respectively. Organic and inorganic carbon could be determined by coulometry. Inorganic carbon (CO₂) could also be determined by coulometry or by thermogravimetry, if samples did not contain clay minerals. Loss on ignition was always determined by gravimetry.     

Ruby Occurrences in Turkey: Principle Characteristics

The G ksun Ophiolites in Do an ehir area (Malatya-Southern Turkey) contain corundum mineralizations with significant gem-quality (ruby). Modal mineralogical composition of ruby-bearing rocks consists of hornblende (65%-70 %), plagioclase (20%-25%), green garnet (4%-5 %), ruby (2%-3%), and opaque minerals (<1%). Although ruby shows varying colors in the groundmass, it is generally colorless and rarely very pale pink and has high relief. It has no cleavage but rotund fractures. It has highest interference colors and twinning in some poly-prismatic crystals under the microscope. Crystal sizes range from 2x10 mm up to 30x50 mm. The most remarkable properties are red to pink in color, low to medium transparency, medium to big crystal sizes, lamellar and deformation twinning, secondary liquid feathers, hollow tubes, mineral inclusions, asterism, high birefringence and refractive indices and specific gravity. Rubies show crimson red cathodoluminescence colors activated by Cr3+ in the crystal structure, which is confirmed by the Electron Probe Microanalyses (EPMA). Tectonic setting, geological environment, petrographical, mineralogical, geochemical and gemological characteristics of rubies suggest that the Do an ehir ruby mineralization can be classified into the amphibolite-hosted type of corundum deposits of Tanzania.     

Intrinsic geological model generation for chromite pods in the Sabzevar ophiolite complex,NE Iran

The Sabzevar ophiolite, with its colored mélange zone, is a highly disintegrated ophiolite complex located at the northern boundary of the central Iranian microcontinent. A large number of chromite pods occur in this area, which needs to be explored. In this study, a mathematical – geological genetic model is advanced as an exploratory tool that provides information for further exploration activity. A petrogenetic model of chromite ore was established on the basis of a geodata information database. This database consists of information from similar chromite mines from around the world. A detailed investigation of the geological, mineralogical and petrological characteristics of chromite pods in the Sabzevar region was conducted along with detailed petrological samplings, thin section studies and mineralogical analysis. In the next step, we developed a conceptual genetic model that defines areas with a high probability of the existence of chromite pods. The model was later refined using such parameters as a critical genetic factor (CGF) and critical reconnaissance criteria (CRC). Next, a linear function, which is a combination of these factors, provided promising regions as intrinsic geological units (IGU). Finally, a 3D model of lithological units depicting the IGU for chromite pods exploration is proposed.     

Coal fly ash and steel slag valorisation throughout a vitrification process

The aim of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of using the vitrification process as an alternative solution to the disposal of a coal fly ash and metallurgical slags in landfills. The starting wastes were characterised in terms of chemical, granulometric, mineralogical, and microstructural analysis. A selected batch composition composed by 58.5% fly ash, 31.5% metallurgical slag and 10.0 Na₂O% (wt%) was melted at 1450 °C and poured to obtain monolithic glass samples. The environmental behaviour of the starting wastes and the resulting glass was evaluated by standard leaching tests, which shows that vitrification leads to a stabilisation process in which the inorganic components of the wastes are immobilised throughout their incorporation into the glass structure. Moreover, vitrification transforms those hazardous wastes into a new non-hazardous glass. A preliminary study shows that the new glass is suitable for developing glass–ceramic tiles appropriate for floor pavement and wall covering.     

新疆和硕县包尔图一带花岗岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄及其地质意义

新疆和硕县包尔图一带地处中天山中段,花岗岩十分发育。包尔图北侧的乌苏通沟岩体属于北天山,为一套中酸性侵入岩,矿物组合显示其为典型的钙碱性火山弧花岗岩,地球化学特征显示富集大离子亲石元素而亏损高场强元素,是洋壳俯冲导致的下地壳物质部分熔融和上地壳同化混染的产物,LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb同位素测年结果为（358.9±3.5）Ma,说明乌苏通沟岩体形成于泥盆纪末—早石炭世早期,是北天山洋向中天山陆块之下俯冲的产物,且是泥盆纪俯冲事件的最新地质记录。包尔图南侧的红山岩体属于南天山,是一套酸性侵入岩,矿物共生组合显示出钙碱性同碰撞花岗岩的特征,岩相学特征显示岩浆混合的典型特征,岩石地球化学特征显示Ta、Nb不同程度的贫化,说明该侵入体是陆壳增厚的产物,代表了一次重要的陆壳垂直生长事件,LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb同位素测年结果为（295.8±1.2）Ma,说明红山岩体侵位于石炭纪末—早二叠世早期。包尔图一带花岗岩分别记录了南、北天山2次重要的地质事件,为研究天山地区的构造演化提供了重要的依据。     

Risk-based characterisation of an urban building site

The evaluation of the underground soil stratigraphy is a key aspect in geotechnical site characterisation. However, these means of site exploration are only pinholing subsoil conditions and expert knowledge is needed to understand subsoil conditions in order to build a reliable geological-geotechnical model. This contribution employs a geostatistical simulation methodology for the simulation of random fields representing geological uncertainty. This combines borehole data and expert knowledge via a mathematical framework. Moreover a risk-based site characterisation scheme is developed for urban site characterisation. This novel characterisation scheme offers additional insight into the effects of large-scale, geological spatial variability by using fragility curves to quantify these effects.     

黑龙江省上古生界伊利石的成因标志及其地质意义

采用XRD技术,对黑龙江省上古生界泥质岩石中伊利石结晶度、多型和b值进行了测定,以揭示该区晚古生代极低级变质作用特征。测定结果表明,伊利石结晶度（Kübler指数）主要变化于0.31～0.77 °Δ2θ,伊利石（白云母）b值主要变化于8.983～9.011 A伊利石（白云母）多型为1M_d型、1M_d+2M₁混合型和2M₁型。上述伊利石矿物学参数揭示出,该区上古生界泥质岩石主体属于中-低压相晚期成岩带-低级近变质带范畴。进一步的研究表明,伊利石b值和伊利石结晶度存在明显的负相关关系,即随伊利石b值的逐渐增大（压力升高）,伊利石结晶度逐渐减小（温度升高）,暗示伊利石形成于一种正常的与埋深有关的成岩-变质环境,继而揭示出该区上古生界的成岩作用与变质作用是一个统一的连续过程而不是两个相互无关的地质事件。结合区域地质背景和内蒙、吉林等地伊利石的研究成果可以认为,东北地区上古生界并未遭受大规模的绿片岩相区域变质作用,局部出现的某些绿片岩相（或更高级别）的变质岩应是动力变质作用或接触变质作用的产物。     

An Interpretation of ISO Guidelines for the Certification of Geological Reference Materials

Recommendations for the certification of reference materials, as published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), are reviewed and proposals made as to how they can be adapted for the certification of new geological reference materials. Whilst acknowledging the important contribution made by the large number of existing matrix-matched geological reference materials, it is recommended that future characterisation programmes should follow the ISO guidelines for certification, not the least so that laboratories can readily use the resultant samples to establish the traceability of geoanalytical results.     

论超高压变质的矿物学标志

近20多年来,对超高压变质的研究日益深入。超高压变质的矿物学标志,已远远超出柯石英一种,结合实验矿物学的成果,发现许多新的矿物标志。 可以归纳为以下3类：（1）矿物的多形转变, 如柯石英和金刚石;（2）超高压矿物的出溶,如K-单斜辉石、majorite-镁铝榴石和高硅榍石;（3）超高压(高压)变质矿物或矿物组合, 如多硅白云母、文石和菱镁矿等。文中介绍了这些矿物学标志的地质学和矿物学特征及应用前景。     

Characterization of loess in central Spain: a microstructural study

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the materials developed in the middle Tajo River valley, Central Spain. These sediments are loess, the characterization of which has not been reported in the international bibliography. The sediments are related to the next geological context and their characterization is indispensable to locate the said material in the adequate environment. A few different methods have been employed in this study, such as the pipette method (for determining the grain size) and separation of the light and heavy minerals of the sand fraction by using bromoform. The mineralogical composition was determined by XRD and textural study was accomplished by SEM/EDX. The loessic materials are silt-clay or sandy-silt that are quite unstable. The mineralogical composition shows quartz, feldspar, calcite and clay minerals. Some samples show gypsum; this mineral and calcite present dissolution and stability problems. The heavy minerals starting from the sand fraction are tourmaline, zircon, garnet, staurolite, sillimanite and biotite associations. The studies carried out with SEM show that the quartz grain surfaces present etch pits typical of the wind-blown origin.     

新疆巴里坤膨润土矿的矿物学及地质特征研究

对新近发现的新疆巴里坤大型膨润土矿进行了矿物学和地质特征研究,对该矿区791件膨润土样品进行了化学分析及数理统计,运用X射线衍射分析技术对其矿物组成进行了研究,查明新疆巴里坤大型膨润土矿蒙托石相对含量高,化学成分与国内其它膨润土矿相比差异明显,其中Na2O含量比较高,一般在4.20%~5.19%之间,Si和Al相对含量的变化是控制蒙脱石含量主要因素。从成矿地质背景分析,认为该矿床属火山沉积型矿床。     

福建马坑铁（钼）矿床矽卡岩矿物学特征及分带研究

马坑大型铁(钼)矿赋存于莒舟-大洋花岗岩体外接触带黄龙组(C2h)灰岩和林地组(C1l)碎屑岩层间构造破碎带中,铁矿与矽卡岩密切共生,但矿床成因尚存在争议。本文就马坑铁矿矽卡岩进行了矿物学特征研究。电子探针分析结果表明:该矿矽卡岩矿物组合主要为辉石、石榴子石和钙蔷薇辉石,退化蚀变岩矿物组合为角闪石、绿帘石、绿泥石、石英等。单斜辉石以透辉石和钙铁辉石为主,仅存在少量锰钙辉石;似辉石为钙蔷薇辉石和蔷薇辉石;石榴子石端元成分以钙铁榴石为主,钙铝榴石少量;角闪石属于钙角闪石,矿物学特征表明它们形成于相对较氧化的条件下。马坑铁矿的矽卡岩是由热流体沿灰岩与碎屑岩之间层间构造破碎带交代形成的,铁矿石大部分产于矽卡岩内,磁铁矿多稍晚于矽卡岩,不仅广泛交代矽卡岩,而且还直接交代灰岩、砂岩等围岩,呈交代结构;主矿体下盘常出现厚层石英岩,碎屑岩也出现了明显的交代,矽卡岩分带现象普遍,与典型矽卡岩矿床特征一致。结合矿床地质特征,马坑铁矿矿床类型应为层控矽卡岩型矿床。     

论透闪石玉命名及分类

德穆尔１８６３年发表了对来自我国圆明园的和田玉及翡翠的矿物学分析成果,将它们分别命名为“Ｎｅｐｈｒｉｔｅ”和“Ｊａｄｅｉｔｅ”。这两个词后来被译成“软玉”和“硬玉”一直沿用至今。其实,它们之间硬度并无不同,“软玉”一词在矿物学界和玉石界使用中也有一定混乱。根据玉石命名原则及和田玉的矿物成分和它在我国悠久的命名历史,建议“软玉”一词以“透闪石玉”取代。透闪石玉是由微晶透闪石组成、具毡状结构、符合工艺要求的玉石。可按地质产状、颜色、工艺等级、并考虑传统名称进一步划分品种。按产状可分为子玉、山玉、山流水等,按颜色分为白玉、黄玉、青玉、墨玉、碧玉等。     

Hydrologic and geochemical survey of the lake “Specchio di Venere” (Pantelleria island,Southern Italy)

Hydrological and geochemical studies performed on Lake Specchio di Venere on Pantelleria island (Italy) indicate that this endorheic basin has been formed through upwelling of the water table, and that it is continuously fed by the thermal springs situated on its shores. The lake is periodically stratified both thermally and in salinity, albeit this stratification is rather unstable over time, since meteorological events such as strong rain or wind can determine the mixing of its waters. Periodical analyses of the lake water chemistry show large variations of the salt content due to the yearly evaporation-rain dilution cycle. These processes are also responsible for the saline stratification during steady meteorological conditions. The mineralogical characterisation of the bottom sediments shows the almost exclusive presence of neoformation minerals, mainly carbonates, formed in response to the pH gradient between spring- (pH ≈ 6) and lake-waters (pH ≈ 9). Finally, the CO₂ partial pressures in the lake water slightly exceeding the atmospheric one, are due to the large amounts of CO₂ brought to the lake through the bubbling free gas phase of the thermal springs. Nevertheless the high pH value of the lake water, its small volume and its periodical mixing prevent dangerous built up of this gas.