Metallogenic specialization hypothesis and some of its mineralogical and geochemical aspects

Metallogenic specialization is part of a worldwide differentiation of terrestrial substance. This process is closely connected with magmatic processes. Four types of magmatic specialization are outlined. They are characterized by the regional features of mineralization, evolution of mineral composition of ore, selective dispersion or concentration of ore-forming elements during the crystallization of rocks, and the mobilization of ore-forming substance by the postmagmatic solutions. — E. A. Alexandrov.     

Surface carbonate and land-derived clastic marine sediments from southern Chile: mineralogical and geochemical investigation

Surface carbonate and land-derived deposits in the sea off southern Chile were investigated for their mineralogical and geochemical composition. The data were related to environmental features and compared with those of similar temperate and polar carbonate deposits from Tasmania, New Zealand, Arctica, and Antarctica. The mineralogy of the siliciclastic fraction is typical of cold areas and is mainly composed of chlorite, mica, quartz, feldspars and amphibole. The CaCO₃ content varies from 30 to 90%; carbonate mineralogy is made up of low-Mg calcite, high-Mg calcite and minor amounts of aragonite. The Ca, Mg, Sr, Fe, and Mn contents of bulk carbonates and some selected skeletal hard parts are comparable to those of carbonates from Tasmania. The elemental composition is mainly related to carbonate mineralogy, skeletal components, and seawater conditions. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values of carbonates are positive, and their field falls between the “seafloor diagenesis” and “upwelling water” trend lines, because the sediments are likely to be in equilibrium with waters of Antarctic origin. The mineralogical, elemental, and isotopic compositions of carbonates from southern Chile show better similarities with the “temperate” carbonates from Tasmania and New Zealand than with the “polar” carbonates from Arctica and Antarctica. Carbonate deposition is allowed by the low terrigenous input, the low SPM concentration and, probably, the upwelling of seawater from Antarctica.     

A national-scale geochemical and mineralogical survey of soils of the conterminous United States

In 2007, the US Geological Survey initiated a low-density (1 site per 1600 km², c. 4800 sites) geochemical and mineralogical survey of soils of the conterminous USA. The ideal sampling protocol at each site includes a sample from 0–5 cm depth, a composite of the soil A horizon, and a sample from the soil C horizon. The <2-mm fraction of each sample is analyzed for Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, S, Ti, Ag, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, In, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Sr, Te, Th, Tl, U, V, W, Y and Zn by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry following a near-total digestion in a mixture of HCl, HNO₃, HClO₄ and HF. Separate methods are used for As, Hg, Se and total C on this same size fraction. The major mineralogical components are determined by a quantitative X-ray diffraction method. Sampling was completed in 2010 with chemical and mineralogical analysis currently underway. Preliminary results for a swath from the central USA to Florida clearly show the effects of soil parent material and climate on the chemical and mineralogical composition of soils. A sample archive will be established and made available for future investigations.     

A mineralogical and geochemical study of polymict eucrite discovered in Sahara of southwest Algeria

NWA2268 is a polymict eucrite discovered in the Sahara, at southwest Algeria, close to the region of Tindouf. This meteorite weighs 65 g and presents a thin black fusion crust. The rock is fine- to medium-grained breccia and contains mineral fragments of plagioclases, pyroxenes, spinel, olivine and silica. The rock contains some basaltic fragments with sub-ophitic or cumulative textures, constituted by plagioclases and exsolved pigeonite. Pyroxferroite grains are present and locally destabilised in an association of hedenbergite, fayalite and silica. It also presents unequilibrated eucritic clast with heterogeneous pyroxenes and plagioclases compositions. Pyroxenes in the all of the other clasts have equilibrated composition, with exolved pigeonites with augite lamellaes. This polymict eucrite contains also partially devitrified glass that represents impact melts linked to impact event. None recrystallization of this glass confirms a lack of post-brecciation metamorphism. Diogenitic fragments are less abundant than 10 %. The oxygen isotopic composition of NWA2268 is Δ¹⁷O (?0.43). This meteorite is interpreted as belonging to the HED group attributed to the 4-Vesta asteroid.     

黑青和田玉宝石矿物学及地球化学特征研究

近年国内市场出现了一种含有黄铁矿的黑青色玉石,主要产自新疆,属于和田玉中的稀少品种。本文利用常规宝石学仪器、偏光显微镜、红外光谱、拉曼光谱、X射线粉晶衍射(XRD)、电子探针(EPMA)、激光电感耦合等离子质谱(LA-ICP-MS)以及同位素质谱仪(MC-ICP-MS)对7块黑青和田玉样品的宝石矿物学和地球化学特征进行了系统分析,结果显示,样品颜色为墨绿-黑色,折射率点测1.61,相对密度3.08~3.17,摩氏硬度6.0~6.5,主要组成矿物为透闪石,次要矿物以黄铁矿为主,同时还含有少量绿泥石、绿帘石、榍石、锆石、石墨等,具有典型的纤维交织状结构;红外与拉曼光谱特征峰显示与和田玉标准谱峰一致;样品中透闪石的主要化学成分为SiO₂、MgO、CaO和FeO,Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺)值显示部分透闪石已过渡为阳起石;根据微量元素Cr-Ni投图判别样品为白云石大理岩型成因,稀土元素含量较少,呈左倾模式;推测成矿热液主要为岩浆水,含少量变质水;样品中黄铁矿Co/Ni>1且含少量As、Se、Cu、Zn、Pb等元素,δ³⁴S介于8.87‰~20.92‰之间,推断为岩浆热液成因且硫来源于岩浆与地层硫的混合。     

Lithological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of loesses in the Rhinegraben

Buraczynski, J., 1988. Lithological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of loess in the Rhinegraben. Eng. Geol., 25: 201–208.

Lithological properties of loesses have considerable practical significance. Together with the origin of the material and the genetic–facial variability they are characterised by granulometry, chemical and mineral composition and textural features. In particular, the clay fraction and carbonate content point to the fraction and carbonate content point to the geotecnical properties of loesses.     

On mineralogical and geochemical criteria in the genesis of red beds

The article discusses a concept on the origin of hematite in red-bed deposits as a result of the alteration of ferrihydrite (a hydrous iron oxide with a composition 2.5 Fe₂O₃ · 4.5 H₂O). The formation of ferrihydrite is associated with a predominantly bacterial oxidation of ferrous iron contained in discharged groundwaters. Clastogenic material and ferrihydrite flakes have been supplied to the site of sedimentation from different sources. The climate in the areas of their deposition has been hot and arid. Owing to an absence of organic matter during the diagenesis, the iron remained in the form of an Fe³⁺ oxide.Sedimentary rocks united under the name of “red beds” are of different ages. A great number of papers deals with the conditions of formation of these rocks and yet the genesis of the hematite contained in them has not been satisfactorily explained. The significance of red beds in paleoclimatology is also not clear. This paper is an attempt to discuss these problems on the basis of mineralogical and geochemical data.     

Algal uptake of U and some other metals: Implications for global geochemical cycling

Freshwater green algae Ankistrodesmus sp, cultured in dilute solutions of metals chelated with EDTA, revealed massive uptake of U. Examination of Thames River waters and selected micro-organisms of its aquatic ecosystem revealed an average dissolved U concentration of 1.46 ppb, representing about twice the global mean riverine solute concentration of 0.6 ppb U. Suspended particulates, principally algae, contain U at 10³ to 10⁵ times that of their river habitat, averaging 28 300 ppb U. One community of the filamentous algae Spirogyra sp. contained intracellular crystals tentatively identified as the Ca-oxylate weddelite. Studies of algae from a variety of environments have shown large concentration factors for a wide range of elements. Algae from an acid U mine tailings site contain up to 2.7% U (dry weight) plus very high concentrations of other metals. Micro-organisms may act as an important sink for metal solutes in the hydrosphere.     

Mineralogical and geochemical investigation of some pegmatites from the Mashad area,northeastern Iran

Summary Pegmatitic dikes and masses of various sizes occur in a granite intrusion in the Mashad area, northeastern Iran. Their geochemistry, as well as that of the parent granite was investigated using some 40 specimens. Major constituents and trace elements were determined by means of X-ray fluorescence and spectrographic methods. Anomalously high concentrations of Be and Nb and indications of their minerals beryl and columbite were observed. Therefore, the pegmatites of this area may prove to be a potential source for Be, Nb, Ta and possibly Li.

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Mineralogische und geochemische Untersuchung einiger Pegmatite aus der Gegend von Mashad, Nordost-Iran

Zusammenfassung In einer Granitintrusion in der Gegend von Mashad, Nordost-Iran, kommen pegmatitische Gänge und Massen verschiedener Größe vor. Unter Verwendung von etwa 40 Proben wurde ihre Geochemie und die ihres Muttergranites untersucht. Die Hauptbestandteile und Spurenelemente wurden mit Röntgenfluoreszenz und spektrographischen Methoden bestimmt. Außergewöhnlich hohe Konzentrationen an Be und Nb und Hinweise auf ihre Minerale Beryll und Columbit wurden beobachtet. Die Pegmatite dieser Gegend könnten sich folglich als potentielle Lieferanten für Be, Nb, Ta und möglicherweise Li herausstellen.

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Preliminary mineralogical investigation of Leicestershire low-rank coal

A preliminary mineralogical/geochemical investigation of low-rank coals from Leicestershire, England, has been carried out with a view to their future beneficiation. Analytical scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) have been used to identify and assess the distribution of mineral phases likely to give corrosion-producing or slag-forming materials during combustion, and those minerals which would be potentially valuable by-products of beneficiation processes. Differences in the mineral petrography of borehole samples from the Vale of Belvoir Prospect and coal from Bagworth Colliery are compared. Samples from both areas contain substantial amounts of epigenetic minerals: calcite, dolomite, kaolinite and fluor-apatite are important phases in the Bagworth sample, whilst gypsum, illite, quartz, kaolinite, barytocelestine, pyrite, chalcopyrite, anatase, galena and sphalerite occur in the Vale of Belvoir samples. Whereas the presence of halides in the Bagworth coal would seem to be a possible source of boiler-corrosion problems, the major undesirable characteristic of the Vale of Belvoir coal is the presence of significant amounts of metal sulphides. However, extraction of sulphides from this coal prior to combustion could provide a valuable source of metals as a by-product. Certain trace element concentrations in the Vale of Belvoir samples have also been determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and higher levels of lanthanide elements are present in the whole coal relative to mineral veins (mainly gypsum). Trace-element signatures may provide a useful distinction between syngenetic and epigenetic mineral formation.     

A comparison of mineral magnetic, geochemical and mineralogical techniques for compositional studies of glacial diamictons

Data from heavy mineral analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and X-ray diffractrometry (XRD) are compared with those obtained from mineral magnetic analysis for a range of glacial diamicton samples taken from the Quaternary sequence in the Isle of Man. These data show that the mineral magnetic approach offers a useful means of characterizing glacial sediments for purposes of lithostratigraphic correlation and provenance indication and that the magnetic data are of a comparable quality to those obtained from standard applications of the more traditional techniques. The heavy mineral and XRD data indicate that little post-depositional chemical alteration of the detrital composition of the sediments has taken place. The mineral magnetic, heavy mineral and XRF analysis suggests both similar lithostratigraphic relationships between the various diamicton units and consistent indications of their likely provenance. These are consistent with published, field-based, stratigraphic relationships of the same sediments and ice-flow directions in the Irish Sea Basin during the Devensian.     

A preliminary study on mineralogical and chemical compositions of some chondrites falling in China

Samples are available from 37 stony meteorites falling in China. Twenty-two chondrites are examined in terms of chemical and mineral compositions, cosmogenic nuclides, formation and exposure ages, impact effect and chondrule textures. On the basis of chemical-petrologic features these chondrites are classified asE ₄ (Qingzhen),H ₅ (Jilin, Changde, Shuangyang, Anlong, Xinyi and Yangjang),L ₆ (Renqiu, Junan, Heze, Rugao and Nei Monggol) andLL ₆ (Dongtai). E ₄ is characterized by high iron and sulfur, with the former occurring mainly as Fe^o and FeS. FromH ₅ throughH ₆ toLL ₆, iron and nickel decrease gradually while FeO and the ratio of Fe silicate to total iron increase gradually. indicating a general increase in the orderE-H-L-LL in the degree of oxidation at the time of formation. E ₄ consists mainly of enstatite and, to much less extent, free SiO₂ but olivine is hardly to be found. The olivine proportions amount to 29.07, 41.98 and 51.36 percent inH ₅,L ₆ andLL ₆ respectively, with Fa increasing from 17 to 27 percent. Recrystallization has been noticed to different degrees inH ₄,H ₅,L ₆ andLL ₆ chondrites. The extent to which the original structure disappears and the boundaries of chondrules become indistinct decreases from type 6 through type 5 to type 4, reflecting different degrees of thermal metamorphism. Major minerals in the meteorites all exhibit signs of low to medium shock metamorphism. Specific activity, depth effect and orbit effect are also measured on some chondrites that have fallen in recent years and some new information has been obtained with respect to the orbit and source region for meteorite parent bodies in space. This results show that the environment of formation ofE group may be nearer to Mars than that ofO group. Each chemical group of chondrites has its own evolutionary history, and chondritets of different chemical groups may have originated from parent bodies of different compositions. Or owing to the differentiation caused by thermal melamorphism, various kinds of meteorites may be derived from a common parent body. From this argument it is suggested that five stages may be recognized during the formation process of chondrites.     

A comparative mineralogical and geochemical study of sulfide mine tailings at two sites in New Mexico, USA

A comparative study of sulfide mine tailings from two sites near Silver City in southwest New Mexico has shown the need for environmental monitoring in a geological context. The Cyprus-Piños Altos and Cleveland deposits consist of Cu and Zn skarn mineralization in the Piños Altos Mountains of New Mexico. Primary ore minerals in both deposits include chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena. The Cyprus-Piños Altos Mine ceased operation in 1995 and the Cleveland Mill closed in 1950. The deposits have similar mineralogical characteristics; however, the tailings are different in terms of age, degree of oxidation and method of disposal. The Cyprus-Piños Altos tailings (CPAT) are stored in a lined, bermed impoundment. They are dominantly water-saturated and exhibit no secondary-phase formation. The grains are not cemented and show no evidence of primary-mineral dissolution. The geochemical data show a predominantly primary signature. The tailings pond water is neutral to slightly alkaline (pH?from 7 to 8.3), partly as a result of processing methods. The Cleveland mill tailings (CMT) were deposited in a valley at the headwaters of an ephemeral stream. They are highly oxidized and differentially cemented. They have undergone numerous wet/dry cycles resulting in extensive oxidation. Secondary minerals predominate, and consist mainly of jarosite, goethite, hematite, and Fe-oxyhydroxides and -oxyhydroxysulfates. The pH of the stream draining the CMT is as high as 2.15. Maximum metal contents in the stream immediately downstream from the tailings are 5305?ppm Zn, 454?ppm Cu, 1.16?ppm Pb, 17.5?ppm Cd, 1.4?ppm As, and 0.01?ppm Hg.     

Slake durability and mineralogical properties of some pyroclastic and sedimentary rocks

Slake durability of rocks is an important property of rock-mass and rock-materials in geotechnical practice. The slake durability of rocks is closely related to their mineralogical composition. In this paper, mineralogical examinations and slake durability tests for argillaceous clastic rocks, especially pyroclastic rocks, sandstones and mudstones of Neogene Tertiary age from Japan, were performed in order to assess the slake durability and rock alteration process of these rocks as well as to understand the relationship between mineralogy and durability.The mineral composition and textural features of the rocks were studied by means of optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), electron microprobe analysis (EPMA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the slake durability test was carried out by using the standard testing method of ISRM [Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 16 (1979) 148] in distilled water and in the aqueous solutions with dissolved electrolytes of NaCl and CaCl₂.The pyroclastic rocks and tuffaceous sandstone, rich in di-octahedral and tri-octahedral Fe smectite, respectively, show distinctively different slaking behaviors. The pyroclastic rocks show relatively high slaking (Id₂=55.5% and Id₁₀=10.5%) than the tuffaceous sandstone (Id₂=94.1% and Id₁₀=87.8%, refer to text for Id₂ and Id₁₀). This difference in the slake durability observed in these rocks is due to the microscopic occurrences of smectite present in the interspaces between the particles (pyroclastic rocks) and zeolite cementing the interspaces (tuffaceous sandstone) as alteration minerals. In addition, the durability results of tuffaceous sandstone show that the slake durability decreases as the degree of weathering increases (weathered material Id₂=88.7% and Id₁₀=65.3%). Furthermore, two mudstones of Miocene and Pliocene ages, having different clay mineral compositions (smectite vs. illite+chlorite), show the lowest and the highest slake durability among the tested clastic rocks. Hard mudstone shows the highest (Id₂=98.1% and Id₁₀=95.5%) while the soft mudstone shows the lowest (Id₂=33.9% and Id₆=0.4%.) slake durability. Thus, the slake durability of pyroclastic and sedimentary rocks is greatly affected by their mineral composition and texture, and is closely related to their alteration history. Slake durability is also affected by the kind of dissolved electrolyte and its concentration in the aqueous solution, providing some useful information for geotechnical practice.     

Fuzzy modelling of acid mine drainage environments using geochemical,ecological and mineralogical indicators

Fuzzy logic was applied to model acid mine drainage (AMD) and to obtain a classification index of the environmental impact in a contaminated riverine system. The data set used to develop this fuzzy model (a fuzzy classifier) concerns an abandoned mine in Northern Portugal—Valdarcas mining site. Here, distinctive drainage environments (spatial patterns) can be observed based on the AMD formed in the sulphide-rich waste-dumps. Such environments were established, as the effluent flows through the mining area, using several kinds of indicators. These are physical–chemical, ecological and mineralogical parameters, being expressed in a quantitative or qualitative basis. The fuzzy classifier proposed in this paper is a min–max fuzzy inference system, representing the spatial behaviour of those indicators, using the AMD environments as patterns. As they represent different levels (classes) of contamination, the fuzzy classifier can be used as a tool, allowing a more reasonable approach, compared with classical models, to characterize the environmental impact caused by AMD. In a general way it can be applied to other sites where sulphide-rich waste-dumps are promoting the pollution of superficial water through the generation of AMD. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Geological,geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of REE-bearing Las Mercedes bauxite deposit,Dominican Republic

Bauxite deposits, traditionally the main source of aluminum, have been recently targeted for their remarkable contents in rare earth elements (REE). With ∑REE (lanthanoids + Sc + Y) concentrations systematically higher than ∼1400 ppm (av. = 1530 ppm), the Las Mercedes karstic bauxites in the Dominican Republic rank as one of the REE-richest deposits of its style.The bauxitic ore in the Las Mercedes deposit is mostly unlithified and has a homogeneous-massive lithostructure, with only local cross-stratification and graded bedding. The dominant arenaceous and round-grained texture is composed of bauxite particles and subordinate ooids, pisoids and carbonate clasts. Mineralogically, the bauxite ore is composed mostly of gibbsite and lesser amounts of kaolinite, hematite, boehmite, anatase, goethite, chromian spinel and zircon. Identified REE-minerals include cerianite and monazite-Ce, whose composition accounts for the steady enrichment in light- relative to medium- and heavy-REE of the studied bauxites.Considering the paleo-geomorphology of the study area, we propose that bauxites in the Las Mercedes deposit are the product of the erosion and deposition of lithified bauxites located at higher elevations in the Bahoruco ranges. Based on the available data, we suggest a mixed lithological source for the bauxite deposits at the district scale: bedrock carbonates and an igneous source of likely mafic composition.     

Geochemical and mineralogical distinctions between Bonnin and Morris (Philadelphia, 1770–1772) porcelain and some contemporary British phosphatic wares

The major element compositions of 15 ceramic sherds from the Bonnin and Morris factory site were determined by electron microprobe. Thirteen samples are phosphatic; the others consist of (a) “soapstone” (magnesian/plombian) and (b) true porcelain, and are interpreted as exotic artifacts, as is one compositionally distinct (relatively SiO₂‐poor, P₂O₅+CaO‐rich) phosphatic sample. Although long considered to be virtually indistinguishable from Bow porcelain (London: ca. 1747–1776), the phosphatic Philadelphia wares have a relatively low mean CaO/P₂O₅ ratio (3.3 versus 3.8; molecular proportions) and high alumina content (6.6 versus 5.4 wt % Al₂O₃). Furthermore, unlike Bow, the Bonnin and Morris samples contain calcic plagioclase (bytownite), and in some instances, an orthoclase‐rich ternary feldspar. The preservation of calcic plagioclase indicates that Philadelphia porcelain was fired at (rather than above) the thermal minimum in the An‐SiO₂‐C₃P system, although the presence of Na (and other fluxes) in these wares precludes the exact determination of the maximum firing temperature from this phase diagram. These wares are also distinctive insofar as the phosphate and melt phases can contain small amounts of lead; they have bulk lead contents of approximately 0.1–1.2 wt % PbO. This component has not been detected in the body of Bow or other contemporary British phosphatic porcelains. Their principal similarity lies in the fact that both wares contain sulfate. In addition, the glazes on Bonnin and Morris porcelain (e.g., PbO ∼ 35–50 wt %; SnO₂ ∼ 1–2%) compositionally resemble those used at Bow. If feldspar is formed at all, then Al‐poor phosphatic porcelain (or those with low CaO/P₂O₅ ratios) will have comparatively low modal calcic plagioclase contents, thereby allowing the rapid depletion of this mineral via resorption by the melt phase during vitrification. Such appears to have been the case for analyzed Bow porcelain, which is therefore interpreted to have been overfired (sensu lato) relative to its Philadelphia counterpart. Conceivably, calcic plagioclase could be preserved in low‐Al wares that were fired only briefly at vitrification temperatures. Given the role of firing history in governing the mineralogy of porcelain, compositional criteria are more reliable for distinguishing these wares. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A revision of some British Lower Bajocian stephanoceratid ammonites

Members of the ammonite family Stephanoceratidae from the Middle Jurassic, Lower Bajocian, Laeviuscula to Humphriesianum zones of South West England are revised. These comprise faunas resulting from periodic migrations and possibly hybridization. The taxonomic positions of Teloceras Mascke, 1907, Kumatostephanus Buckman, 1922, Gibbistephanus Buckman, 1928 and Pseudoteloceras Pavia and Fernández-López, 2016 are considered in the light of new research. A new subfamily Kumatostephaninae is erected and hypotheses are presented regarding the evolution of some Early Bajocian stephanoceratids. Pseudoteloceras digbyi sp. nov. represents the earliest ‘Teloceras-like’ morphology from the late Sauzei Zone. Refinement is made of the scheme of faunal horizons for the Lower Bajocian.