Composition and Assemblage Characteristics of Magnetic Minerals in Layer S_(5-1) of Xifeng and Duanjiapo Sections

Magneticmineralsintheloess paleosolseriesaccountforabout 1 % -2 %ofthetotal (LiuTungshengandZhangZhonghu ,1 962 ) .Duetotheiraerolianorigin ,themagneticmineralsarecomplicatedincomposition ,largeingrainsizerange ,andsignificantlydifferentincrystallinity .Asaresult,researchonthesemagneticmineralswouldbesetwithalotofdifficulties.Previousre searchersemployedopticalmicroscopic ,X raydiffractionandM ssbauerspectrometrictechniquestostudythemagneticmineralsintheloess paleosolseries,andchieflyontheb…     

Origin and significance of high nickel and chromium concentrations in Pliocene lignite of the Kosovo Basin, Serbia

Trace element data from 59 Pliocene lignite cores from the lignite field in the Kosovo Basin, southern Serbia, show localized enrichment of Ni and Cr (33–304 ppm and 8–176 ppm, respectively, whole-coal basis). Concentrations of both elements decrease from the western and southern boundaries of the lignite field. Low-temperature ash and polished coal pellets of selected bench and whole-coal samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analyses. These analyses show that most of the Ni and Cr are incorporated in detrital and, to a lesser degree, in authigenic minerals. The Ni- and Cr-bearing detrital minerals include oxides, chromites, serpentine-group minerals and rare mixed-layer clays. Possible authigenic minerals include Ni---Fe sulfates and sulfides. Analyses of three lignite samples by a supercritical fluid extraction technique indicate that some (1–11%) of the Ni is organically bound. Ni- and Cr-bearing oxides, mixed-layer clays, chromites and serpentine-group minerals were also identified in weathered and fresh samples of laterite developed on serpentinized Paleozoic peridotite at the nearby Glavica and ikatovo Ni mines. These mines are located along the western and northwestern rim, respectively, of the Kosovo Basin, where Ni contents are highest. The detrital Ni- and Cr-bearing minerals identified in lignite samples from the western part of the Kosovo Basin may have been transported into the paleoswamp by rivers that drained the two Paleocene laterites. Some Ni may have been transported directly into the paleoswamp in solution or, alternatively, Ni may have been leached from detrital minerals by acidic peat water and adsorbed onto organic matter and included into authigenic mineral phases. No minable source of Ni and Cr is known in the southern part of the lignite field; however, the mineral and chemical data from the lignite and associated rocks suggest that such a source area may exist.     

Composition and assemblage characteristics of magnetic minerals in layer S<Subscript>5-1</Subscript> of Xifeng and Duanjiapo sections

Relatively strongly magnetic fine components (< 30μm, XS-4J and DS-4J) which are most environmentally sensitive were separated from layer S_5-1 in the Xifeng and Duanjiapo loess sections and analyzed by MPV-3 for their morphometric characteristics and reflectance, SEM-ESD for their element contents and XRD for their mineral phases, respectively. The results showed that minerals in both samples are dominated by detrial Fe-Ti oxides of aeolian origin. In sample XS-4J the reflectance and iron contents of magnetic minerals are usually high. In addition to magnetite (Fe₃O₄), maghemite (γFe₂O₃) and hematite (Fe₂O₃), some Fe-high oxide (72.25 wt%–86.67 wt%), ilmenite (FeTiO₃), and magnetite-ulvöspinel [Fe(FeCr)O₄, Fe (FeNi)O₄] were also detected. In sample DS-4J obvious negative linear correlations were found between Ti and Fe, and the contents of Mn, Si, Al and Ca are usually high and the minerals are dominated by magnetite (maghemite), goethite (FeOOH) and limonite (containing Si and OH). In addition, the signs of corrosion of magnetic minerals and newly crystallized magnetite (maghemite) were recognized. Differences in the composition and assemblage characteristics of magnetite minerals between XS and DS reflect significant differences in source rocks and preserving conditions.     

Adsorption of Pentachlorophenol onto Oxide and Clay Minerals： Surface Reaction Model and Environmental Implications

The adsorption of pentachlorophenol （PCP） onto quartz, kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite and iron oxides has been investigated by batch equilibrium techniques. The pH-dependent isotherms are curves with peak values, the position of which is at about pH = 5-6 depending on the mineral species. Based on distribution of both speciation of surface hydroxyls on minerals and PCP in solution a surface reaction model involving surface complexation and surface electrostatic attraction is presented to fit the pH-dependent isotherms, and both reaction constants are calculated. The results show that on quartz and phyllosilicate minerals the predominant adsorption reaction is surface complexation, meanwhile both of surface electrostatic attraction and surface complexation are involved on the iron oxide minerals. The reaction constants of surface electrostatic adsorption are usually one to three orders in magnitude, larger than that of surface complexation. The concentration-dependent isotherms can be well fitted by Langmnir equation with the correlation coefficient R〉0.93 for kaolinite and iron oxides. The maximum adsorption is found in the order： hematite 〉 lepidocrocite 〉 goethite 〉 kaolinite 〉 quartz 〉 montmorillonite ≈ illite, which can be interpreted by consideration of both reaction mechanism and surface hydroxyl density. The significant adsorption of PCP onto mineral surfaces suggests that clay and iron oxide minerals will play an important role as HIOCs are adsorbed in laterite or latertoid soil, which is widespread in South China.     

页岩组分对五峰-龙马溪组与牛蹄塘组页岩孔隙发育差异的影响——以渝东南焦页1井与湘西北慈页1井为例

根据页岩样品不同孔径范围的累计孔体积与累计比表面积,结合焦页1井五峰-龙马溪组与慈页1井牛蹄塘组页岩样品的地球化学参数与岩样各矿物组分百分含量,分析页岩组分对两套地层孔隙发育差异的影响.结果显示,TOC与微孔呈正相关关系,表明有机质微孔对页岩孔隙发育提供了一定的贡献,五峰-龙马溪组页岩较牛蹄塘组更为发育有机质微孔.石英...     

Correlations between mineralogical and chemical compositions of fine stream sediments: application to geochemical exploration in tropical rain forests, Bolívar State, Venezuela

In this work we have studied stream sediments that differ in hydrodynamic energy of depositional environments and in the lithologies of source areas. The first type consists of sediment sampled in stream channels in a relatively high energy environment (samples CS); the other type is from sediments deposited laterally, along margins of channels, where stream energy decreases (samples LS). Eighteen CS samples and 36 LS samples, sieved to 230 mesh, taken from streams and rivers that drain different lithologies, were analyzed for mineralogical and chemical compositions.Samples CS and LS have different chemical compositions, although they are composed of the same minerals. CS samples have low concentrations of absorbing phases (e.g., clay and Fe-Mn oxides), low total and extractable Cu, Co, Ni and Cr, and high zircon and quartz. Conversely, LS samples have greater abundances of absorbing phases, transition elements, and lower zircon and quartz. The sample types can be discriminated by compositional differences in Zr, Si and Al.Differences in proportions of minerals of the fine sediment samples (Fe-Mn oxides, clays, quartz and zircon) result from differences in source areas and hydrodynamic characteristics of depositional sites. It is difficult, if not impossible, to collect all samples from sites with exactly the same hydrodynamic conditions or from the same source area; it is therefore necessary to classify samples according to mineralogical compositions, and to know proportions of absorber phases, clays and oxides, to the inert phase, quartz, before interpretation.     

Upgrading of calcareous phosphate ores by flotation: Effect of ore characteristics

Sedimentary phosphates contain-besides the phosphate minerals-, various associated gangue minerals such as: clays, silica, calcareous minerals (mainly calcite and dolomite), carbonaceous matter, iron oxides and/or pyrite. The common practiced flow-sheets for concentrating these types of phosphate ores consist of a combination of various mineral processing units such as: crushing and screening, attrition, washing, magnetic separation, and/or flotation. However, none of these combinations was successfully efficient to upgrade the calcareous ores because of the close similarity of the physical properties (density, particle size, particle shape, etc.) as well as the surface physico-chemical properties of the carbonate and phosphate minerals. For the last five decades extensive efforts have been spent to adopt flotation for separating carbonates from phosphate ores. These efforts include thermodynamic analysis, modification of the technique, controlling the pulp environment, and finding new reagents that can specifically differentiate between carbonates and phosphates.This paper reviews some of the published work on the separation of carbonates from phosphate ores by flotation and presents the flotation results of phosphate ore samples different in their physical properties and mineralogical composition. The results obtained reflect the effect of ore nature on the flotation performance and the reagents consumption.     

A new method to calculate end-member thermodynamic properties of minerals from their constituent polyhedra I: enthalpy, entropy and molar volume

The thermodynamic properties of silicate minerals can be described as a linear combination of the fractional properties of their constituent polyhedra. In contrast, given the thermodynamic properties of these polyhedra, the thermodynamic properties of minerals can be estimated, where only the crystallography of the mineral needs to be known. Such estimates are especially powerful for hypothetical mineral end‐members or for minerals where experimental determination of their thermodynamic properties is difficult. In this contribution the fractional enthalpy, entropy and molar volume for 35 polyhedra have been determined using weighted multiple linear regression analysis on a data set of published mineral thermodynamic properties. The large number of polyhedra determined, allows calculation of a much larger variety of phases than was previously possible and the larger set of minerals used provides more confident fractional properties. The OH‐bearing minerals have been described by partial and total hydroxide coordinated components, which gives better results than previous models and precludes the need of a S–V term to improve estimates of entropy. However, the fractional thermodynamic properties only give adequate results for silicate minerals and double oxides, and should therefore not be used to estimate the properties of other minerals. The thermodynamic properties of ‘new’ minerals are calculated from a linear stoichiometric combination of their constituent polyhedra, resulting in estimates generally with associated uncertainty of <5%. The quality of such data appears to be of sufficient accuracy for thermodynamic modelling as shown for meta‐bauxites from the Alps and the Aegean, where the effect of Zn on the P–T stability of staurolite can be both qualitatively and quantitatively reproduced.     

Microstructure Evolution of Organic Matter and Clay Minerals in Shales with Increasing Thermal Maturity

As the two important components of shale, organic matter(OM) and clay minerals are usually thought to strongly influence the hydrocarbon generation, enrichment and exploitation. The evolution process of OM and clay minerals as well as their interrelationship over a wide range of thermal maturities are not completely clear. Taking Yanchang(T_3y), Longmaxi(S_1l) and Niutitang(?_1n) shales as examples, we have studied the microstructure characteristics of OM and clay minerals in shales with different thermal maturities. The effects of clay minerals and OM on pores were reinforced through sedimentation experiments. Using a combination of field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM) and low-pressure N_2 adsorption, we investigated the microstructure differences among the three shales. The results showed that both OM and clay minerals have strong effects on pores, and small mesopore(2–20 nm) is the dominant pore component for all three samples. However, the differences between the three samples are embodied in the distribution of pore size and the location. For the T_3y shale, clay minerals are loosely arranged and develop large amounts of pores, and fine OM grains often fill in intergranular minerals or fractures. Widespread OM pores distribute irregularly in S_1l shale, and most of the pores are elliptical and nondirectional. The ?_1n shale is characterized by the preferred orientational OM-clay aggregates, and lots of pores in the composites are in the mesopore range, suggesting that over maturity lead to the collapse and compaction of pores under huge pressure of strata. The results of the current research imply that with increasing thermal maturity, OM pores are absent at low maturity(T_3y), are maximized at high maturity(S_1l) and are destroyed or compacted at over-mature stage(?_1n). Meanwhile, clay minerals have gone through mineral transformation and orientational evolution. The interaction of the two processes makes a significant difference to the microstructure evolution of OM and clay minerals in shale, and the findings provide scientific foundation in better understanding diagenetic evolution and hydrocarbon generation of shale.     

Environmental magnetic and geochemical characteristics of Chennai coastal sediments,Bay of Bengal,India

In this study, environmental magnetic, heavy metal and statistical analyses were conducted on 21 surface sediments collected from Chennai coast, India, to examine the feasibility of heavy metal pollution using magnetic susceptibility. The Chennai coastal sediment samples are dominated by ferrimagnetic minerals corresponding to magnetite-like minerals. The percentage of frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility reflects the presence of super-paramagnetic/single domain magnetic minerals in Chennai harbour, Cooum and Adayar rivers sediments. High pollution load index in sample E1, E2, CH7, C11, C12 and A16 is mainly due to anthropogenic activities such as, harbour activities, Cooum and Adayar rivers input and industrial effluent. Factor analysis shows that the magnetic concentration dependent parameters (χ, χ _ARM and SIRM) covary with the heavy metal concentrations, suggesting that the input of magnetic minerals and heavy metals in Chennai coastal sediments are derived from the same anthropogenic sources. Strong correlation obtained between pollution load index (PLI) and concentration dependent parameters (χ, χ _ARM and SIRM) for the polluted samples with magnetic susceptibility excess of 50×10^− 8 m³kg^− 1. Significant correlations between heavy metals and magnetic susceptibility point out the potential of magnetic screening/monitoring for simple and rapid proxy indicator of heavy metal pollution in marine sediments.     

金—银系列矿物的电子探针定量分析方法及其应用

自然界最常见的金矿物是金-银系列矿物。作者利用电子探针显微分析仪,对我国的金-银系列矿物进行研究,取得了较好的效果。本文着重介绍电子探针定量分析方法和对50个样品的研究成果。样品分别取自我国各主要产金区的不同类型金矿床。研究结果表明,金-银系列的各亚种矿物在我国均有产出,金的含量由98.18％至微量。自然银和金银矿较为少见,自然金和银金矿则是最主要的工业矿物,几乎每个金矿床的样品中都普遍存在,不同类型的样品,金矿物所含的微量元素也有差异。     

Timing and duration of supergene mineralization at the Xinrong manganese deposit,western Guangdong Province,South China: cryptomelane <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar dating

Supergene Mn-oxide deposits are widely distributed in Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, and Hunan Provinces, South China, accounting for 18% of the total Mn reserves in the country. Direct dating of supergene Mn enrichment, however, is lacking. In this paper, we present high-resolution ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of Mn oxides from the Xinrong Mn deposit, western Guangdong, to place numerical constraints on the timing and duration of supergene Mn enrichment. A total of ten cryptomelane samples, spanning a vertical extent of 67 m, were dated using the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar laser incremental heating technique, with seven samples yielding well-defined plateau or pseudo-plateau ages ranging from 23.48 ± 0.91 to 2.06 ± 0.05 Ma (2σ). One sample yields a staircase spectrum that does not reach a plateau; the spectrum, however, indicates the presence of two or more generations of Mn oxides in the sample, whose ages are best estimated at 22.34 ± 0.31 and 10.2 ± 0.86 Ma, respectively. The remaining two samples gave meaningless or uninterpretable results due to significant ³⁹Ar recoil and contamination by old phases. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data thus reveal a protracted history of weathering and supergene Mn enrichment that started at least in the end of the Oligocene or beginning of Miocene and extending into the latest Pliocene. Staircase-apparent age spectra, resulting from banded or botryoidal samples, yield an average growth rate of Mn oxides at 0.6–0.7 × 10⁻³ mm kyr⁻¹. The values indicate that a 1-mm grain of Mn oxides may host minerals precipitated during a time span of ca. 1.5 m.y., and accumulation of Mn oxides to form economic deposits under weathering environments may take millions of years. The distribution of weathering ages shows that the oldest Mn oxides occur on the top of the profile, whereas the youngest minerals are found at the bottom, suggesting downward propagation of weathering fronts. However, two samples located at the intermediate depths of the profile yield ages comparable with those occurring at the highest elevations. Such a complexity of age distribution is interpreted in terms of preferential penetration of Mn-rich weathering solutions along more permeable fault zones, or as a result of multi stages of dissolution and re-precipitation of Mn oxides. A synthesis of geochronological and geological data suggests that formation of the Xinrong deposit was a consequence of a combination of favorable lithological, climatic, and structural conditions. Because the climatic and structural conditions are similar among the provinces of South China during the Cenozoic, the geochronological results obtained at Xinrong may also have implications for the timing of supergene Mn enrichment throughout South China.     

Pb、Sr和REE在矿物中的扩散补偿关系及其对扩散系数的预测

对现有实验扩散数据的检查发现，不仅Pb、Sr和REE元素在不同矿物中存在着扩散补偿关系，不同元素在同一矿物或同族矿物中也满足扩散补偿关系。阴离子孔隙度作为矿物内部离子堆积密度的一种量度，它与Pb和REE扩散活化能之间存在负的线性相关性，在固定温度下与Sr扩散系数（lnDT)之间呈正的线性相关，因而可以用于预测元素在矿物中的扩散系数。本文分别采用离子孔隙度法和双补偿法预测了Pb、Sr和REE在不同矿物中的扩散系数，这些结果与已有的实验数据在实验误差范围内是一致的，因此可以应用到与扩散有关的地球化学动力学研究中。     

LA-ICP-MS微区原位准确分析含水硅酸盐矿物主量和微量元素

通过描述一种利用LA-ICP-MS准确测定含水硅酸盐矿物主量元素和微量元素含量的多外标、无内标分析方法.总结出该方法基于矿物化学计量式计算含水硅酸盐矿物中挥发分的相对含量,再将全部分析元素归一化到总金属氧化物含量(100%减含水量)的原理,利用多种天然成分的岩石标准玻璃(如MPI-DING玻璃和USGS玻璃)作为外标进行校正计算.利用该方法对角闪石、绿帘石、电气石和透闪石等含水硅酸盐矿物进行了分析,并与利用电子探针和微钻(直径300 μm)取样溶液-ICP-MS分析的结果进行了对比研究.研究结果表明:对于组成均一的主量元素的分析结果与电子探针分析数据一致,相对偏差集中在5%以内.除了那些分布异常不均一的元素(在300 μm尺度上),对微量元素的分析结果与溶液-ICP-MS分析结果具有很好的一致性,二者之间的相对偏差大部分集中在10%以内.研究结论为采用归一化校正策略,选择MPI-DING和USGS玻璃作为外标,利用LA-ICP-MS微区分析方法可以准确测定含水硅酸盐矿物中的主、微量元素含量.      

Discrimination of accreted and eroded coasts using heavy mineral compositions of the Nile Delta beach sands, Egypt

Coastal erosion has occurred on the beaches of the three major promontories of the Nile Delta of Egypt. The eroded sand is generally carried alongshore to the east, or locally to the west, from these promontories and is deposited in areas of beach accretion between promontories. In this study the heavy minerals of 150 samples have been investigated with the aim of differentiating between eroded and accreted beaches. Discrimination was achieved by using bivariate plots of the raw weight percentage data and Q-mode factor analysis. Factor analysis yielded two ‘mineral assemblages’: Factor 1 is dominated by augite, hornblende and epidote, while Factor 2 consists of opaque minerals, garnet, zircon, rutile and monazite. These two mineral factors are produced by the selective sorting of heavy minerals by natural processes of waves and currents. Minerals of Factor 2 are associated with high density opaques which tend to concentrate as a lag in areas of erosion. Conversely, the lower density minerals of Factor 1 are preferentially transported away from areas of erosion and carried to the accreted shorelines.     

Mercury in itabirite-hosted soft hematite ore in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero of Minas Gerais

Mercury contents in Precambrian banded iron formation-hosted hematite ores are virtually unknown. In an attempt to provide information on the abundance and distribution of Hg in Fe ore, we present analyses for Hg in samples of high-grade soft hematite ore from Gongo Soco, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Bulk samples contain from <  5 to 25  ppb Hg without obvious correlation with major elements. Granulometric fractions of follow-up samples have amounts of Hg from 6 to 48  ppb and display positive linear correlations with total Mn as MnO (r = 0.87), LOI (r = 0.87) and SiO₂ (r = 0.76), as well as a negative linear correlation with total Fe as Fe₂O₃ (r = −  0.87). The correlations suggest that Hg is associated with a hydrated ferruginous groundmass bearing residual Mn, Al and Si, which replaced gangue minerals in itabirite in the process of formation of the Gongo Soco soft hematite ore.     

The formation of todorokite and birnessite in sea water pumped from under ground

Manganese oxides precipitated from aerated well sea water at the Marine Science Museum, Tokai University, have been analyzed chemically and mineralogically. The $\text{O}\text{Mn}$ ratios are lower in todorokite than in birnessite but these minerals have similar contents of minor transition metals, which can be taken up additionally from sea water after the precipitation of Mn oxides. On the basis of these results, the genesis of Mn minerals is discussed in relation to marine Mn nodules.     

宣达地区中、下三叠统含杂卤石蒸发岩测井响应及岩性识别

钾盐主要用于农业中钾肥的生产,中国是钾盐消费和进口大国,但中国钾资源少、产量低,因此钾盐勘探对中国粮食安全有重要意义。四川盆地是中国找钾的重要区域,文章运用岩芯样品、测井等资料,通过X射线粉晶衍射、元素含量测试等实验对宣达地区中、下三叠统嘉陵江组-雷口坡组含盐系典型矿物特征及岩石测井响应特征进行分析,并基于测井解释方法原理对杂卤石进行识别。结果表明,研究区钾盐矿物包括氯化盐矿物、硫酸盐矿物、碳酸盐矿物3类,固态钾盐矿物主要为杂卤石,常与石盐、硬石膏共存,具有高电阻率、高密度、高伽马、高K的特征,主要分布于T₁j^4-2、T₁j^5-2层段。     

Interaction of deformation and metamorphism during subduction and exhumation of hydrated oceanic mantle: Insights from the Western Alps

Petrological investigations supported by multi‐scale structural analysis of eclogitized serpentinite in the Zermatt–Saas Zone of the Western Alps allows for the determination of mineral assemblages related to successive fabrics, upon which the P–T–d–t path of these hydrated mantle rocks can be inferred. Serpentinites of the upper Valtournanche, with lenses and dykes of metagabbro and meta‐rodingite, display an Alpine polyphase metamorphic evolution from eclogite to epidote‐amphibolite facies conditions associated with three successive foliations having different parageneses in these rocks. Serpentinite mainly consists of serpentine with minor magnetite; however, where S1 and S2 foliations are pervasive, metamorphic olivine, together with Ti‐clinohumite and clinopyroxene, are also found. The mineral assemblage associated with D1 includes serpentine1, clinopyroxene1, opaque minerals, titanite ± olivine1, Ti‐clinohumite1 and ilmenite; the D2 assemblage is the same (±chlorite) but minerals have different compositions. The assemblage associated with D3 comprises serpentine3, opaque minerals, ±chlorite3, ilmenite and amphibole3. Ti‐clinohumite is associated with veins that are older than D2 and pre‐date D3. Veins that post‐date D3 are characterized by amphibole + chlorite or by serpentine. P–T conditions for S2 parageneses evaluated using two pseudosections for different bulk compositions suggest that these rocks experienced pressures >2.5 ± 0.3 GPa at temperatures slightly higher than 600 °C. The late epidote–amphibolite facies re‐equilibration associated with D3 and D4 developed during late syn‐exhumation deformation related to folding and testifies to a small temperature decrease. These results, which were integrated in the regional framework, suggest that different portions of the Zermatt–Saas Zone registered different P–T peak conditions and underwent different exhumation paths. In addition, the inferred P–T–d–t path suggests that the Valtournanche serpentinites re‐equilibrated close to the UHP conditions registered by the Cignana meta‐cherts. These results imply that tectonic slices exhumed after UHP metamorphism might be wider than previously reported or that small‐size UHP units, tectonically sampled during the Alpine convergence, are more abundant than those that have been detected to date.     

Occurrence and geochemistry of arsenic in the groundwater of Eastern Croatia

In order to examine the extent of the As enrichment and the factors influencing this enrichment in the groundwater of Eastern Croatia, groundwater samples were collected from 56 production wells in two counties, Osijek-Baranja and Vukovar-Srijem, suspected to be more affected. Hydrochemical analyses were performed at all locations including in situ As speciation at 32 locations. Arsenic was detected in 46 out of 56 groundwater samples with total As concentrations up to 491 μg/L. Thirty-six of the studied wells yielded groundwater with total As concentrations that exceeded the WHO Maximum Contaminant Level for arsenic in drinking water of 10 μg/L. Only inorganic As species were detected with arsenite As(III) as the predominant form. The spatial distribution of As in the groundwater was significantly linked with geological, geomorphological and hydrogeological development of the alluvial basin of the Drava and Sava rivers. The most probable groundwater As sources are deeper sediments from the Middle and Upper Pleistocene. The results obtained suggest that biogeochemical processes controlling As concentration in the groundwater are complex and location-specific. Reductive dissolution of Fe oxides, desorption of As from Fe oxides and/or clay minerals as well as competition for the sorption sites with organic matter and phosphate could be the principal mechanisms that control As mobilization. The extent of those processes vary in the different parts of the Drava and Sava depressions and could be linked to different site related parameters, such as lithology, mineralogy, local hydrology and hydrogeology; thus different processes of As mobilization have been proposed for the different types of water in relation to groundwater evolution.