Perrierite-(La), (La,Ce,Ca)4(Fe2+,Mn)(Ti,Fe3+,Al)4(Si2O7)2O8, a new mineral species from the Eifel volcanic district, Germany

Non-metamict perrierite-(La) discovered in the Dellen pumice quarry, near Mendig, in the Eifel volcanic district, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany has been approved as a new mineral species (IMA no. 2010-089). The mineral was found in the late assemblage of sanidine, phlogopite, pyrophanite, zirconolite, members of the jacobsite-magnetite series, fluorcalciopyrochlore, and zircon. Perrierite-(La) occurs as isolated prismatic crystals up to 0.5 × 1 mm in size within cavities in sanidinite. The new mineral is black with brown streak; it is brittle, with the Mohs hardness of 6 and distinct cleavage parallel to (001). The calculated density is 4.791 g/cm³. The IR spectrum does not contain absorption bands that correspond to H₂O and OH groups. Perrierite-(La) is biaxial (-), α = 1.94(1), β = 2.020(15), γ = 2.040(15), 2V _meas = 50(10)°, 2V _calc = 51°. The chemical composition (electron microprobe, average of seven point analyses, the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ratio determined from the X-ray structural data, wt %) is as follows: 3.26 CaO, 22.92 La₂O₃, 19.64 Ce₂O₃, 0.83 Pr₂O₂, 2.09 Nd₂O₃, 0.25 MgO, 2.25 MnO, 3.16 FeO, 5.28 Fe₂O₃, 2.59 Al₂O₃, 16.13 TiO₂, 0.75 Nb₂O₅, and 20.06 SiO₂, total is 99.21. The empirical formula is (La_1.70Ce_1.45Nd_0.15Pr_0.06Ca_0.70)_Σ4.06(Fe _0.53 ²⁺ Mn_0.38Mg_0.08)_Σ0.99(Ti_2.44Fe _0.80 ³⁺ Al_0.62Nb_0.07)_Σ3.93Si_4.04O₂₂. The simplified formula is (La,Ce,Ca)₄(Fe²⁺,Mn)(Ti,Fe³⁺,Al)₄(Si₂O₇)₂O₈. The crystal structure was determined by a single crystal. Perrierite-(La) is monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, and the unit-cell dimensions are as follows: a =13.668(1), b = 5.6601(6), c = 11.743(1) Å, β = 113.64(1)°; V = 832.2(2) ų, Z = 2. The strong reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)]: 5.19 (40) (110), 3.53 (40) ( $\overline 3 $ 11), 2.96 (100) ( $\overline 3 $ 13, 311), 2.80 (50) (020), 2.14 (50) ( $\overline 4 $ 22, $\overline 3 $ 15, 313), 1.947 (50) (024, 223), 1.657 (40) ( $\overline 4 $ 07, $\overline 4 $ 33, 331). The holotype specimen of perrierite-(La) is deposited at the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, with the registration number 4059/1.     

Nickenichite,a new arsenate from the Eifel,Germany

Summary Nickenichite is a new mineral found close to the village of Nickenich at the Nickenicher Sattel, Eifel, Germany. The chemical composition is Na_xCa_yCu_z(Mg, Fe, Al)₃(AsO₄)3, x 0.8, y 0.4, 0.4 and was derived by means of electron microprobe analyses and by a crystal structure investigation. The latter was determined from single-crystal X-ray data:a = 11.882(4)Å,b = 12.760(4)Å,c = 6.647(2)Å, = 112.81(2)°, space group C2/c,Z = 4;R = 0.053 andR _w = 0.033 from 984 observed data and 102 free variables. Nickenichite is structurally related to the minerals o'danielite and johillerite. The two crystallographically different octahedrally coordinated cation positionsMe = (Mg, Fe, Al) have averageMe-O distances of 2.108 Å and 2.056 Å, octahedra share edges to form zig-zag chains in ; the chains are interconnected by AsO₄ tetrahedra. In addition the compound is characterized by partially occupied Na^[4+4], Ca^[6+2] and Cu^[4] positions.

---

Nickenichit, ein neues Arsenat aus der Eifel, Deutschland

Zusammenfassung Nickenichit ist ein neues Mineral, das nahe dem Ort Nickenich, am Nickenicher Sattel, Eifel, Deutschland, gefunden wurde. Die chemische Formel ist Na_xCa_yCu_z, (Mg, Fe, Al)₃(AsO₄)₃, x 0,8, y 0,4, z 0,4 und wurde mittels Elektronenstrahl-Mikrosondenanalysen und einer Kristallstrukturuntersuchung ermittelt. Letztere wurde mit Einkristall-Röntgendaten durchgeführt:a = 11,882(4) Å,b = 12,760(4) Å,c = 6,647(2) Å, = 112,81(2)°, Raumgruppe C2/c,Z = 4;R = 0,053 undR _w = 0,033 für 984 beobachtete Daten und 102 freie Variable. Nickenichit zeigt enge strukturelle Beziehungen zu den Mineralen O'Danielit und Johillerit. Die zwei kristallographisch verschiedenen oktaedrisch koordinierten KationpositionenMe = (Mg, Fe, Al) haben mittlereMe-O-Abstände von 2,108 Å und 2,056 Å, die Oktaeder werden über Kanten zu zick-zack-artigen Ketten in verknüpft, diese werden untereinander über AsO₄-Tetraeder vernetzt. Des weiteren ist die Verbindung durch partiell besetzte Na^[4+4]-, Ca^[6+2]- und Cu^[4]-Positionen charakterisiert.

---

---

With 2 Figures     

Mendigite,Mn2Mn2MnCa(Si3O9)2, a new mineral species of the bustamite group from the Eifel volcanic region,Germany

A new mineral, mendigite (IMA no. 2014-007), isostructural with bustamite, has been found in the In den Dellen pumice quarry near Mendig, Laacher Lake area, Eifel Mountains, Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz), Germany. Associated minerals are sanidine, nosean, rhodonite, tephroite, magnetite, and a pyrochlore-group mineral. Mendigite occurs as clusters of long-prismatic crystals (up to 0.1 × 0.2 × 2.5 mm in size) in cavities within sanidinite. The color is dark brown with a brown streak. Perfect cleavage is parallel to (001). D _calc = 3.56 g/cm³. The IR spectrum shows the absence of H₂O and OH groups. Mendigite is biaxial (–), α = 1.722 (calc), β = 1.782(5), γ = 1.796(5), 2V _meas = 50(10)°. The chemical composition (electron microprobe, mean of 4 point analyses, the Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ ratio determined from structural data and charge-balance constraints) is as follows (wt %): 0.36 MgO, 10.78 CaO, 37.47 MnO, 2.91 Mn₂O₃, 4.42 Fe₂O₃, 1.08 Al₂O₃, 43.80 SiO₂, total 100.82. The empirical formula is Mn_2.00(Mn_1.33Ca_0.67) (Mn_0.50 ²⁺ Mn_0.28 ³⁺ Fe_0.15 ³⁺ Mg_0.07)(Ca_0.80 (Mn_0.20 ²⁺)(Si_5.57 Fe_0.27 ³⁺ Al_0.16O₁₈). The idealized formula is Mn₂Mn₂MnCa(Si₃O₉)₂. The crystal structure has been refined for a single crystal. Mendigite is triclinic, space group \(P\bar 1\); the unit-cell parameters are a = 7.0993(4), b = 7.6370(5), c = 7.7037(4) Å, α = 79.58(1)°, β = 62.62(1)°, γ = 76.47(1)°; V = 359.29(4) ų, Z = 1. The strongest reflections on the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are: 3.72 (32) (020), 3.40 (20) (002, 021), 3.199 (25) (012), 3.000 (26), (\(01\bar 2\), \(1\bar 20\)), 2.885 (100) (221, \(2\bar 11\), \(1\bar 21\)), 2.691 (21) (222, \(2\bar 10\)), 2.397 (21) (\(02\bar 2\), \(21\bar 1\), 203, 031), 1.774 (37) (412, \(3\bar 21\)). The type specimen is deposited in the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, registration number 4420/1.     

The crystal structure of Ca5(PO4)2SiO4 (Silico-Carnotite)

Summary The crystal structure of Ca₅(PO₄)₂SiO₄ (silico-carnotite) has been determined from 3358 x-ray diffraction data collected by a counter method and has been refined toR _w =0.038,R=0.045, in space group Pnma. The unit cell parameters area=6.737 (1) Å,b=15.508 (2) Å andc=10.132 (1) Å at 24°C;Z=4. The observed density is 3.06 and the calculated density is 3.03 g · cm^–3. The crystal contains about 2.5% V₂O₅ as an impurity. The bond lengths within the tetrahedral anions suggest that substitution or disorder of PO₄ ^3–, SiO₄ ^4– and possibly VO₄ ^3– occurs among the anion sites. The structure has some relationship to that of Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH, the predominant inorganic phase in the human body, but suggests that the Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH type structure may not be stable without some of the OH positions being filled. Ca₅(PO₄)₂SiO₄ is more closely related to K₃Na(SO₄)₂ (glaserite) if it is considered that there are systematic cation vacancies in Ca₅(PO₄)₂SiO₄.This type of structure is consistent with the view that cation vacancies in the glaserite-type structure account for solid solutions between Ca₂SiO₄ and Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and between Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and CaNaPO₄.

---

Die Kristallstruktur vonCa ₅(PO ₄)₂ SiO ₄ (Silicocarnotit)

Zusammenfassung Die Kristallstruktur von Ca₅(PO₄)₂SiO₄ (Silicocarnotit) wurde aus 3358 Röntgendiffraktometer-Daten bestimmt und in Raumgruppe Pnma aufR _w =0,038,R=0,045 verfeinert. Die Gitterkonstanten (bei 24° C) sind:a=6,737 (1) Å,b=15,508 (2) Å undc=10,132 (1) Å,Z=4; D_obs.=3,06 g · cm^–3, D_exp.=3,03 g · cm^–3. Der Kristall enthält etwa 2,5% V₂O₅ als Verunreinigung. Die Bindungslängen in den tetraedrischen Anionen legen nahe, daß unter den Anionenplätzen gegenseitige Vertretung oder Unordnung von PO₄ ^3–, SiO₄ ^4– und möglicherweise VO₄ ^3– auftritt. Die Struktur zeigt einige Verwandtschaft zu der von Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH, der wichtigsten anorganischen Substanz im menschlichen Körper, weist aber darauf hin, daß eine Struktur vom Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH-Typ ohne Besetzung eines Teiles der OH-Position nicht stabil ist. Ca₅(PO₄)₂SiO₄ zeigt engere Beziehungen zu K₃Na(SO₄)₂ (Glaserit), wenn man berücksichtigt, daß in Ca₅(PO₄)₃SiO₄ systematische Kationen-Leerstellen sind. Dieser Strukturtyp ist mit derAuffassung in Übereinstimmung, daß Kationenleerstellen für die festen Lösungen zwischen Ca₂SiO₄ und Ca₃(PO₄)₂ und zwischen Ca₃(PO₄)₂ und CaNaPO₄ verantwortlich sind.

---

---

With 9 Figures     

Batiferrite, Ba[Ti2Fe10]O19, a new ferrimagnetic magnetoplumbite-type mineral from the Quaternary volcanic rocks of the western Eifel area, Germany

Summary Batiferrite, ideally Ba[Ti₂Fe₁₀]O₁₉, was found in the Quaternary volcanic rocks near üdersdorf, Graulai, and Altburg, western Eifel area, Germany. The new mineral typically occurs as euhedral platy grains in cavities of melilite- and leucite-nephelinite basalts. Associated minerals are hematite, magnetite, titanite, g?tzenite, clinopyroxene, nepheline, and biotite. It exhibits a hexagonal tabular habit flattened on {0001}, diameter 0.5–1 mm, thickness 20–125 μm, and {10&1macr;3}, {10&1macr;0} as observable forms. The mineral is opaque, of black color with submetallic lustre, and shows a ferrimagnetic behavior. VHN₅₀ is 793 with a range of 710–841 from ten indentations. The quantitative reflectance measurements of R_o/R_e on oriented grains in air and oil immersion, respectively, are [%]: for 470 nm 22.1/20.1 and 8.4/7.1, for 546 nm 21.0/19.4 and 7.8/6.6, for 589 nm 20.2/18.8 and 7.4/6.3, and for 650 nm 19.3/18.3 and 6.8/5.9. The bireflectance is distinct (air) to weak (oil), and parallel (0001) a moderate anisotropy with straight extinction can be observed. Typical microprobe analyses give [wt%] K₂O 0.28–0.33, Na₂O 0.17–0.20, SrO 0.46–0.55, BaO 11.80–12.17, MgO 1.27–1.47, Al₂O₃ 0.31–0.33, TiO₂ 13.11–13.63, MnO 2.38–2.57, Fe₂O₃ 61.36–63.12, FeO 5.49–5.86 (Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ calculated for charge compensation), which is equivalent to (Ba_0.84Na_0.06K_0.06Sr_0.05)_1.01(Fe_8.48 ³⁺Fe_0.86 ²⁺Ti_1.82Mg_0.37Mn_0.37Al_0.06)_11.96O₁₉ as the average composition based on 19 oxygen atoms. Batiferrite is a magnetoplumbite-type mineral with hexagonal symmetry, space group P6 ₃ /mmc (no. 194), a = 5.909(1) ?, c = 23.369(4) ?, V = 706.6(2) ?³, Z = 2, and a calculated density of 5.016 gcm⁻³. The structure was refined to R1 = 0.031 for 278 unique reflections with F_o ² > 4σ (F_o ²) and R1 = 0.079 for all 452 unique observations using single crystal X-ray data. The strongest reflections of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [d _obs, I/I_o, (hkl)]: 2.631, 100, (114); 2.799, 80, (107); 1.478, 70, (220); 2.429, 60, (203); 1.672, 50, (217). The new mineral is comparable to the other Ba containing magnetoplumbite-type minerals haggertyite and hawthorneite, the iron content, however, is much higher and in the range of magnetoplumbite. The large cation site (A) is dominated by Ba, and four of the five remaining crystallographic cation sites in the structure are dominated by Fe (M1, 2, 3, 5), the octahedrally coordinated M4-site is dominated by Ti. No oxygen vacancy on the O3-site like in plumboferrite can be observed. Batiferrite is named for its main chemical composition and the relationship to the M-type hexaferrites (polytype 5H).

---

Zusammenfassung Batiferrit, ein neues ferrimagnetisches Mineral des Magnetoplumbit-Typs aus den quart?ren Vulkaniten der West-Eifel, Deutschland Das neue Mineral Batiferrite, mit der Idealformel Ba[Ti₂Fe₁₀]O₁₉, wurde an drei Fundpunkten in den Quart?ren Vulkangesteinen der westlichen Eifel, Deutschland, in der N?he von üdersdorf, Graulai und Altburg gefunden. Das neue Mineral tritt typischerweise bl?ttchenf?rmig in kleinen Hohlr?umen von Melilith- und Leucit-Nephelininit Basalten auf. Vergesellschaftete Minerale sind H?matit, Magnetit, Titanit, G?tzenit, Klinopyroxen, Nephelin und Biotit. Der Habitus ist hexagonal tafelig nach {0001}, mit einem Durchmesser von 0.5–1 mm und einer Dicke von 20–125 μm, zus?tzlich k?nnen die Formen {10&1macr;3} und {10&1macr;0} beobachtet werden. Das Mineral ist opak, hat eine schwarze Farbe mit einem leicht metallischen Glanz, und ist ferromagnetisch. Die H?rte VHN₅₀ ist 793 mit einem Bereich von 710–841 aus 10 Eindruckbestimmungen. Die quantitativen Reflexionsmessungen von R_o/R_e an orientierten K?rnern in Luft beziehungsweise ?limmersion, ergaben [%]: für 470 nm 22.1/20.1 und 8.4/7.1, für 546 nm 21.0/19.4 und 7.8/6.6, für 589 nm 20.2/18.8 und 7.4/6.3, und für 650 nm 19.3/18.3 und 6.8/5.9. Die Bireflexion ist deutlich (Luft) bis schwach (?l) und parallel (0001) kann eine mittlere Anisotropie mit gerader Ausl?schung beobachtet werden. Eine typische Mikrosondenanalyse ergibt [wt%] K₂O 0.28–0.33, Na₂O 0.17–0.20, SrO 0.46–0.55, BaO 11.80–12.17, MgO 1.27–1.47, Al₂O₃ 0.31–0.33, TiO₂ 13.11–13.63, MnO 2.38–2.57, Fe₂O₃ 61.36–63.12, FeO 5.49–5.86 (Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ berechnet zum Ladungsausgleich), die mittlere chemische Formel auf der Basis von 19 Sauerstoffatomen lautet (Ba_0.84Na_0.06K_0.06Sr_0.05)_1.01 (Fe_8.48 ³⁺Fe_0.86 ²⁺Ti_1.82Mg_0.37Mn_0.37Al_0.06)_11.96O ₁₉. Batiferrit ist ein Mineral der Magnetoplumbitgruppe, hat hexagonale Symmetrie mit der Raumgruppe P6₃/mmc (Nr. 194), a = 5.909(1) ?, c = 23.369(4) ?, V = 706.6(2) ?³, Z = 2, und einer berechneten Dichte von 5.016 gcm⁻³. Die Struktur wurde aus Einkristall-R?ntgendaten bis zu einem R1-Wert von 0.031 für 278 F_o ² > 4σ(F_o ²), und einem R1-Wert von 0.079 für alle 452 F_o ² verfeinert. Die st?rksten Beugungsreflexe der Pulver-R?ntgendaten sind [d_obs, I/I_o, (hkl)]: 2.631, 100, (114); 2.799, 80, (107); 1.478, 70, (220); 2.429, 60, (203); 1.672, 50, (217). Das neue Mineral weist deutliche ?hnlichkeiten zu den anderen beiden Ba-reichen Mineralen Haggertyit und Hawthorneit der Magnetoplumbit-Gruppe auf, jedoch ist der Eisengehalt wesentlich h?her und im Bereich des Minerals Magnetoplumbit. Der gro?e Kationenplatz (A) ist von Barium dominiert, vier (M1, 2, 3, 5) der restlichen fünf kristallographischen Kationenpl?tze in der Struktur sind fast ausschlie?lich mit Fe, die oktaedrisch koordinierte M4-Position ist überwiegend mit Ti besetzt. An der O3-Position konnte kein Sauerstoffdefizit wie in Plumboferrit festgestellt werden. Batiferrit ist nach seiner chemischen Beschaffenheit und nach seiner Zugeh?hrigkeit zu den M-Typ Hexaferriten (Polytyp 5H) benannt.

---

---

Received December 14, 1999; accepted March 2, 2000     

Sideronatrite: A mineral with a {Fe2(SO4)4(OH)2} guildite type chain?

Summary Recently several natural and artificial ferric iron sulphate crystal structures have been solved. Sideronatrite, Na₂Fe³⁺(SO₄)₂(OH)·3H₂O, does not provide good crystals for structural purposes. However if we examine crystallographic, chemical and physical data some useful information about the ...Fe–O–S... structural topology can be inferred. In fact this analysis strengthens the hypothesis that there is a {Fe ₂ ³⁺ (SO₄)₄(OH)₂} chain in sideronatrite like that found in guildite, Cu²⁺Fe³⁺(SO₄)₂(OH)·4H₂O.

---

Sideronatrit: Ein Mineral mit einer {Fe₂(SO₄)₄(OH)₂}-Kette vom Typ Guildit?

Zusammenfassung Kürzlich wurden die Kristallstrukturen mehrerer natürlicher und künstlicher Ferrisulfate gelöst. Sideronatrit, Na₂Fe³⁺(SO₄)₂(OH)·3H₂O, liefert keine für die Strukturuntersuchung gut geeigneten Kristalle. Dennoch erhält man aus der Untersuchung der kristallographischen, chemischen und physikalischen Daten nützliche Information über die ...Fe–O–S...-Topologie der Struktur. Eine solche Analyse spricht für die Hypothese, daß der Sideronatrit eine {Fe ₂ ³⁺ (SO₄)₄(OH₂)}-Kette enthält, wie sie im Guildit, Cu²⁺Fe³⁺(SO₄)₂(OH)·4H₂O, gefunden wurde.

---

---

With 1 Figure

---

Paper presented at the Sixth European Crystallographic Meeting. Barcelona, Spain 1980.     

Fibroferrite: A mineral with a {Fe(OH) (H2O)2SO4} spiral chain and its relationship to Fe(OH)SO4, butlerite and parabutlerite

Summary The mineral fibroferrite has the chemical formula Fe(OH)SO₄·xH₂O; the value forx has not been definitely settled, but as a rule it is found to be near five. Several symmetries are given in the literature.A sample from Saint Felix de Paillères, France, proved to be rhombohedral with space group R3; lattice constants for the hexagonal cell area=24.176,c=7.656 Å. As calculated from the experimental density (=1.95 g·cm^–3)Z=18 for this cell. Intensities were collected on an automated X-ray diffractometer from a thin fiber extended along [00.1]. The structure was determined by Patterson and Fourier methods. Least squares refinement with 818 observed reflections resulted inR=0.076.The structure contains hydroxo-bridged {Fe(OH)(H₂O)₂SO₄} spiral chains built of [Fe(OH)₂(H₂O)₂O₂] octahedra and SO₄ tetrahedra. Hydrogen bonds provide connections between these chains. The spiral chains are a stereoisomer variant of the hydroxo-bridged linear chains of Fe(OH)SO₄, butlerite and parabutlerite. A comparison of these compounds is givenm to understand the relationship between the structure and their water content.

---

Fibroferrit: Ein Mineral mit einer {Fe(OH)(H₂O)₂SO₄} Spiralkette und seine Beziehung zu Fe(OH)SO₄, Butlerit und Parabutlerit

Zusammenfassung Das Mineral Fibroferrit hat die chemische Formel Fe(OH)SO₄·xH₂O; der Wert furx scheint nicht endgültig geklärt zu sein, liegt aber meist nahe 5. Verschiedene Symmetrien werden in der Literatur angegeben.Eine Probe von Saint Felix de Paillères, Frankreich, erwies sich als rhomboedrisch mit der Raumgruppe R3; die Gitterkonstanten der hexagonalen Zelle sinda=24,176,c=7,656 Å. Die experimentelle Bestimmung der Dichte (=1,95 g·cm^–3) führt für diese Zelle zuZ=18. Von einer nach [00.1] gestreckten dünnen Faser wurden die Intensitäten auf einem automatischen Röntgendiffraktometer gesammelt. Die Struktur wurde mit Patterson-und Fouriersynthesen gelöst. Eine Verfeinerung nach der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate führte für 818 beobachtete Reflexe aufR=0,076.Die Struktur enthält durch Hydroxil-Gruppen verknüpfte {Fe(OH)(H₂O)₂SO₄}-Spiralketten, die aus [Fe(OH)₂(H₂O)₂O₂]-Oktaedern und SO₄-Tetraedern aufgebaut sind. Die Spiralketten von Fibroferrit sind eine stereoisomere Variante der annähernd linearen Fe–O–S-Ketten von Fe(OH)SO₄, Butlerit und Parabutlerit. Diese Verbindungen werden mit Fibroferrit verglichen, um Beziehungen zwischen Struktur und Wassergehalt zu verstehen.

---

---

With 2 Figures

---

Paper presented at the Fifth European Crystallography Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark 1979.     

High-pressure Raman spectroscopic study of Mn2GeO4, Ca2GeO4, Ca2SiO4, and CaMgGeO4 olivines

We present a Raman spectroscopic study of the structural modifications of several olivines at high pressures and ambient temperature. At high pressures, the following modifications in the Raman spectra are observed: 1)?in Mn₂GeO₄, between 6.7 and 8.6?GPa the appearance of weak bands at 560 and 860?cm^?1; between 10.6 and 23?GPa, the progressive replacement of the olivine spectrum by the spectrum of a crystalline high pressure phase; upon decompression, the inverse sequence of transformations is observed with some hysteresis in the transformation pressures; this sequence may be interpreted as the progressive transformation of the olivine to a spinelloid where Ge tetrahedra are polymerized, and then to a partially inverse spinel; 2)?in Ca₂SiO₄, the olivine transforms to larnite between 1.9 and 2.1?GPa; larnite is observed up to the maximum pressure of 24?GPa and it can partially back-transform to olivine during decompression; 3)?in Ca₂GeO₄, the olivine transforms to a new structure between 6.8 and 8?GPa; the vibrational frequencies of the new phase suggest that the phase transition involves an increase of the Ca coordination number and that Ge tetrahedra are isolated; this high pressure phase is observed up to the maximum pressure of 11?GPa; during decompression, it transforms to a disordered phase below 5?GPa; 4)?in CaMgGeO₄, no significant modification of the olivine spectrum is observed up to 15?GPa; between 16 and 26?GPa, broadening of some peaks and the appearance of a weak broad feature at 700–900?cm^?1 suggests a progressive amorphization of the structure; near 27?GPa, amorphization is complete and an amorphous phase is quenched down to ambient pressure; this unique behaviour is interpreted as the result of the incompatibilities in the high pressure behaviour of the Ca and Mg sublattices in the olivine structure.     

Lithofacies succession of maar crater deposits in the Eifel area (Germany)

ABSTRACT Maar craters often contain exceptionally preserved fossils and maar sediments may reflect detailed environmental changes. Volcanosedimentary processes in a Middle Eocene maar crater lake are illustrated by the deposits of Eckfeld Maar in the Tertiary Hocheifel Volcanic Field (Rhenish Massif, Germany). The maar origin of the basin is evident from a circular negative gravity anomaly which indicates a low-density funnel-shaped basin filling. From the facies analysis of an Eocene (Eckfeld) and a Pleistocene (Döttingen) maar we develop a lithozone classification for the interpretation of maar sediments: syn-/post-eruptive breccias are followed by a fining-upwards sequence of lacustrine mud with coarse layers and final swamp deposits. From the facies analysis and regional geological data we reconstruct the pre- to post-eruptive history of a maar crater prior to post-Eocene uplift. These observations can be used for the interpretation of Tertiary and Quaternary maar craters that are ideal fossil and sediment traps.     

Structural investigations,high temperature behavior and phase transition of Na6Ca4(SO4)6F2

Polycrystalline material of a sulfate apatite with chemical composition Na₆Ca₄(SO₄)₆F₂ or (Na₂Ca₄)Na₄(SO₄)₆F₂ has been synthesized by solid state reactions. Basic crystallographic data are as follows: hexagonal symmetry, a?=?9.3976(1) Å, c?=?6.8956(1) Å, V?=?527.39(1) ų, Z?=?1, space group P6₃/m. For structural investigations the Rietveld method was employed. Thermal expansion has been studied between 25 and 600 °C. High temperature (HT) powder diffraction data as well as thermal analysis indicate that the apatite-type compound undergoes a reconstructive phase transition in the range between 610 and 630 °C. Single-crystals of the HT-polymorph were directly grown from the melt. Structural investigations based on single-crystal diffraction data of the quenched crystals performed at ?100 °C showed orthorhombic symmetry (space group Pna2₁) with a?=?12.7560(8) Å, b?=?8.6930(4) Å, c?=?9.8980(5) Å, V?=?1097.57(10) ų and Z?=?2. Unit cell parameters for a quenched polycrystalline sample of the HT-form obtained at ambient conditions from a LeBail-fit are as follows: a?=?12.7875(1) Å, b?=?8.7255(1) Å, c?=?9.9261(1) Å, V?=?1107.53(2) ų. The lattice parameters of both modifications are related by the following approximate relationships: a _HT?≈?2c _RT, b _HT?≈?-(½a _RT?+?b _RT), c _HT?≈?a _RT. The HT-modification is isotypic with the corresponding potassium compound K₆Ca₄(SO₄)₆F₂. The pronounced disorder of the sulphate group even at low temperatures has been studied by maximum entropy calculations. Despite the first-order character of the transformation clusters of sulfate groups surrounding the fluorine anions can be identified in both polymorphs. Each of the three next neighbor SO₄-tetrahedra within a cluster is in turn surrounded by 8–9 M-cations (M: Na,Ca) defining cage-like units. However, in the apatite structure the corresponding three tricapped trigonal prisms are symmetry equivalent. Furthermore, the central fluorine atom of each cluster is coordinated by three next M-neighbors (FM₃-triangles), whereas in the HT-polymorph a four-fold coordination is observed (FM₄-tetrahedra).