羌塘盆地半岛湖地区上侏罗—下白垩统生物礁相碳酸盐岩对海水信息的保存性评估

有关海相碳酸盐成岩蚀变性及其对海水信息保存性的研究是一个未曾被人们重视的领域,从而限制了古海洋学及其相关学科的研究水平.近年来,这一研究领域逐渐得到学者们的重视.本文对羌塘盆地半岛湖地区上侏罗统-下白垩统生物礁相碳酸盐岩样品的微观组构观察、阴极发光分析、化学分析和同位素分析等研究表明,大部分样品都具有较低的Mn含量和较高的Sr含量,所有样品均具有较低的Mn/Sr比值,样品δ13C值和δ18O值分布范围波动较小.不同类型岩性对海水信息的保存性按含生屑泥晶灰岩→泥晶粒屑灰岩→粒屑泥晶灰岩→礁灰岩围岩部分→礁灰岩生物骨架部分的顺序依次变差.     

阿姆河盆地卡洛夫-牛津阶碳酸盐岩储层地球化学特征和成岩流体分析

卡洛夫-牛津阶碳酸盐岩为土库曼斯坦阿姆河盆地主力天然气产层,以储层岩石学分析为基础,结合Fe、Sr、Mn微量元素和C、O、Sr同位素及流体包裹体地球化学特征,分析了储层成因和成岩流体性质,得出以下几点认识:(1)由厚壳蛤壳体测定的87Sr/86Sr比值在全球锶同位素地层曲线上可标定的年龄为157.2Ma,储层发育层位属于卡洛夫-牛津阶;(2)卡洛夫-牛津阶为一持续海侵-海退旋回,持续海侵期是礁、滩相储层形成期,而持续海退期为致密盖层发育期;(3)较高的Fe和Sr及较低的Mn含量,以及伴随成岩强度加大δ13C变化不大而δ18O向负值方向偏移的演化趋势,证明成岩作用发生在缺乏大陆淡水影响和以温度为主控因素的还原性封闭系统中;(4)综合同位素地球化学与流体包裹体和镜质体反射率特征,可确定洛夫-牛津阶碳酸盐岩仍处在中成岩阶段;(5)礁、滩相灰岩的溶蚀、埋藏白云化和充填缝、洞的方解石是不同成岩阶段的水-岩反应产物,成岩流体主要来自于深部富Sr的地层热卤水。     

鄂尔多斯南缘奥陶系生物礁相碳酸盐岩碳氧同位素地球化学特征

为了研究生物礁相碳酸盐岩碳氧同位素地球化学特征,采用同位素比质谱仪对鄂尔多斯南缘奥陶系生物礁发育地区的碳酸盐岩样品进行了碳、氧同位素测定,并采用ICP-AES,ICP-MS进行了主、微量元素分析测试.结果显示,δ(13 CPDB)值为-2.32‰～2.08%,δ(18 OPDB)值为-8.97‰～4.15‰,ω(Mn)...     

四川盆地开江-梁平台棚东侧长兴组礁白云岩沉积-成岩-成藏系统

长兴组礁白云岩是川东北地区最重要的天然气储层类型之一。通过对开江-梁平台棚东侧长兴组礁白云岩岩石组构、成岩演化序列、铁锰锶微量元素、碳氧锶稳定同位素、流体包裹体、油气性质及来源综合研究,认为古地貌格局控制了开江-梁平台棚东侧不同类型台缘生物礁的展布,古海平面的"升降"控制了生物礁形态及规模,台缘礁坪/礁盖滩微相及部分毗邻发育的骨架礁相带控制了优质储层发育位置和空间展布规律;可将长兴组白云岩划分为准同生白云岩和埋藏白云岩两种成因类型,优质的礁、滩相白云岩储层仅与多期次埋藏白云石化作用有关,推测成岩流体主要来源于封存地层中的早-中三叠世蒸发岩溶解产生的具低Mn含量、较低Fe含量、高Sr含量、较高δ~(13)C值、较高~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr比值特点的高盐度埋藏循环海源孔隙水,并有长兴期同生卤水和深部有机酸热液混入;按水文体制,将长兴组白云岩成岩系统划分为4类,分别为海源同生卤水、封存卤水、混源热卤水和深源混合热卤水成岩系统,认为混源热卤水成岩系统埋藏白云石化和溶蚀作用是提高储层质量的关键;论证了开江-梁平台棚东侧长兴组存在同一流体输导体系控制的埋藏白云石化作用与油气充注成藏的统一"成岩-成藏"系统,揭示了长兴组白云岩沉积-成岩-成藏耦合关系,为该地区下一步天然气勘探目标优选提供地质依据。     

下扬子地区上震旦统-下古生界白云岩地球化学特征及成因：以南京地区为例

扬子地台上震旦统-下古生界白云岩广泛发育，是最重要的碳酸盐岩储集层.目前对下扬子地区白云岩的研究程度较低，严重制约了对该区白云岩储层性能的深化认识和油气勘探工作.研究以南京地区为例，通过对该区上震旦统-下古生界白云岩进行系统的岩石学、主量和微量元素、碳-氧同位素及稀土元素分析，确定了白云岩的类型及成因.结果表明：研究区发育泥晶白云岩、粉-细晶白云岩、细晶白云岩、中晶白云岩4种白云岩类型.上震旦统泥晶白云岩具有较高的Mg含量和较低的Fe、Mn、Sr元素含量，δ¹⁸O平均值高达0.2‰，形成温度近于地表温度，盐度指数明显高于海水，∑REE值约为28×10^-6,δCe和δEu呈负异常，平均分别为0.867和0.917，稀土元素配分模式与海相灰岩类似，为近地表强蒸发浓缩海水流体环境下准同生白云石化成因；中寒武统粉-细晶白云岩晶体具有雾心亮边和环边状结构，Mg、Fe、Mn元素含量和稀土元素特征与泥晶白云岩类似，盐度指数较高，说明有相似的海水流体性质，δ¹⁸O值介于-2.5‰～-6.5‰，为浅埋藏环境下渗透回流白云石化成因；上寒武统...     

川东兴隆场地区长兴组白云岩地球化学特征及流体来源

四川盆地东部长兴组—飞仙关组礁滩相储层为重要的天然气勘探目的层,优质储层的岩性多为白云岩,且主要分布于开江-梁平陆棚的东西两侧。川东兴隆场地区位于开江-梁平陆棚西侧有利相带的东南端,长兴组白云岩层段为该区主力产气层,且白云岩主要分布在台地边缘礁滩相等易于发生暴露的高能沉积相带。明确了白云岩宏观分布的控制因素,以岩石结构及Mg/Ca值和有序度为基础,结合岩石地球化学特征,对川东兴隆场地区上二叠统长兴组白云岩成因进行分析。研究结果表明兴隆场地区长兴组白云岩是在埋藏条件下,同层位的泥晶灰岩及泥灰岩中封存的浓缩海水通过压实作用排挤进入碳酸盐沉积物交代灰岩形成的。有如下证据:①飞仙关组沿缝合线发育的自形白云石化学组成(CaO含量均值30.94%,MgO含量均值20.76%)与长兴组白云石化学组成(CaO含量均值30.51%,MgO含量均值21.28%)相近,表明二者成因及白云化流体具有相似性,推断压实流体可能为长兴组白云岩白云化流体;②长兴组白云岩δ13C介于1‰～2.5‰之间,δ18O介于-6‰～-4‰之间,分布在同期古海水的δ13C(0～5.8‰)、δ18O(-7.5‰～-3.5‰)变化范围内,并与全球典型埋藏白云岩δ13C、δ18O分布区间一致,说明白云化流体具有同期海水性质,且形成于埋藏成岩环境中;③长兴组白云岩的87Sr/86Sr值(0.707108～0.707507)覆盖在了川东北晚二叠世海水Sr同位素(0.706620～0.707742)的变化范围内,证明白云化流体来源于同期海水;④长兴组白云岩稀土元素表现为LREE亏损、HREE富集的海水稀土元素特征,表明白云化流体具有海源流体的性质;⑤长兴组碳酸盐岩Fe含量均较低(<2000×10-6),但长兴组白云岩相对于灰岩具有较高的Mn含量(69×10-6～90×10-6,均值为76×10-6)和较强的阴极发光性,反映了白云岩形成于埋藏的还原环境中。     

川东北下三叠统飞仙关组鲕粒滩白云岩同位素地球化学特征*

川东北地区下三叠统飞仙关组为浅海碳酸盐岩夹泥页岩与蒸发岩序列,而在碳酸盐岩台地边缘通常发育一些白云石化的鲕粒滩。这些鲕粒滩白云岩储集层是川东北地区主要的产气层,一些学者认为该套白云岩为大气淡水与海水的混合水白云石化成因,另外一些学者将其视为回流—渗透白云石化成因。飞仙关组鲕粒滩白云岩稳定同位素氧值一般为-6.73‰～-3.65‰(PDB),平均值为-4.89‰(PDB)（罗家寨地区为-10.81‰(PDB)）,稳定同位素碳值一般为+0.57‰～+3.00‰(PDB)。对基质和孔洞中充填的鞍状白云石和亮晶白云石胶结物而言,稳定同位素⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr值为0.70735～0.70800。这些有关鲕粒滩白云岩的数据表明白云石化作用是在埋藏条件下进行的。在测定流体包裹体的均一化温度后,计算出白云石化流体稳定同位素氧成分(δ¹⁸O_白云石-δ¹⁸O_水=［3.2×10⁶ T^-2］-1.5,来自 Friedman 和 ONeil（1977）),其平均值约为+4‰(SMOW)。根据流体稳定同位素氧、碳成分与海水蒸发时流体盐度的正相关性,计算出流体δD平均值约为+25‰(SMOW)。流体包裹体盐度测定表明,白云石化流体是一种超盐度卤水,其盐度是海水的数倍,白云石化的温度为90～130℃。由于下三叠统鲕粒滩白云岩的稳定同位素氧和碳成分与上二叠统生物礁白云岩的稳定同位素氧和碳成分类似,因此,它们的白云石化流体很可能是同一来源。然而,这一结论还有待于进一步研究。     

江苏栖霞山铅锌多金属矿床深部碳-氧-锶同位素地球化学特征及其指示意义

以栖霞山铅锌多金属矿床深部找矿钻孔岩心为对象,开展碳-氧-锶同位素地球化学研究。结果表明,栖霞山矿床矿石样品δ13CV-PDB同位素值为-5.1‰～1.9‰,且由浅部至深部,矿石样品的δ13C、δ18O值处于增大的趋势,指示成矿流体中的碳起源于碳酸盐岩、源自地幔和岩浆的深源碳。对锶同位素的研究显示,栖霞山矿石~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr值为0.704816～0.71405,部分大于矿体围岩黄龙组灰岩的~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr值(0.708329～0.709685),部分小于矿体围岩黄龙组灰岩的~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr值,并与不同来源的Sr同位素对比,揭示栖霞山矿石中Sr兼具基底地层Sr和幔源Sr的混合来源特征,且在围岩蚀变过程中~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr的变化应主要由成矿流体引起。结合本区成矿地质特征认为,栖霞山矿床成矿流体可能来自花岗岩的期后热液,在热动力作用下,流经元古宇基底地层,形成具有混合物质来源的成矿流体,成矿作用过程主要为成矿流体与围岩碳酸盐岩发生水-岩反应所致。     

昂达尔错地区布曲组碳酸盐岩碳氧同位素特征及意义

碳酸盐岩碳、氧同位素对古气候、古环境及成岩流体示踪具重要的指示意义。通过对羌塘盆地南部昂达尔错地区QZ-11井、QZ-12井布曲组岩心观察、薄片鉴定及碳氧同位素分析,结果表明:研究区布曲组是在炎热、半干旱-半潮湿古气候条件下,在台地边缘礁滩环境发育的一套碳酸盐岩沉积;岩性包括灰岩,白云岩及过渡性岩类,白云岩主要发育在高位体系域晚期台缘浅滩微相中,白云岩包括保留先驱灰岩原始组构的颗粒白云岩、泥微晶白云岩及先驱灰岩原始组构不可见的晶粒白云岩;研究区内的碳酸盐岩δ~(13)C_(PDB)分布范围为1.5‰~4‰,δ18OPDB分布范围为-7.6‰~-12.1‰,其中灰岩的δ~(13)C_(PDB)分布范围为1.5‰~2.9‰,普遍高于同期全球海水碳同位素值,推测可能与高位体系域晚期强蒸发及生物繁盛有关,白云岩和过渡性岩类中δ~(13)C_(PDB)分布范围为1.4‰~4‰,说明为继承先驱灰岩中碳同位素组成,局部可能受到白云石化流体的改造;氧同位素组成虽然普遍低于同期海水值,但白云岩中保留先驱灰岩原始组构的颗粒白云岩氧同位素值仍高于灰岩,表明其形成与蒸发环境有关,而细晶白云岩、中粗晶白云岩氧同位素组成呈逐步降低趋势,表明可能受埋藏阶段温度升高的影响。     

川东北元坝气田长兴组白云岩成因研究

上二叠统长兴组礁滩相白云岩是川东北元坝气田的主要储层。长兴组白云岩主要分布在长二段顶部礁盖、礁间滩、礁后滩等沉积相。通过层序地层学、岩石学、地球化学等方法对白云岩成因进行了研究,结果表明:不同类型的白云岩具有相似的87Sr/86Sr值(集中分布在0.7071~0.7075之间),并与晚二叠世海水及泥晶灰岩87Sr/86Sr值相似,指示白云岩化流体主要来自于同期海水;利用低温条件下白云石-水之间氧同位素温度分馏方程恢复的白云岩化流体温度在40~55℃之间,表明白云岩化作用发生于低温浅埋藏环境中。在浅埋藏白云岩化过程中,受沉积地貌和海平面升降的影响,不同沉积相带发生白云岩化作用时流体的性质有所不同:(1)礁盖残余生屑/砂屑中-粗晶白云岩具有明显偏负的δ18O值以及较高的Fe、Mn含量和白云石晶体缓慢结晶的特征,受大气淡水作用明显,属于混合水白云岩化;(2)礁间滩粉晶白云岩具有明显偏正的δ18O值,高Fe、Mn、Sr含量和较低的有序度值,白云岩化流体来源复杂,但整体与蒸发性卤水有关;(3)礁后滩细-中晶白云岩具有非常低的Fe、Mn和高MgCO3含量,白云石具有快速结晶的特点,为正常海水条件下的白云岩化。     

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

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

高压微波消解法测定醋酸纤维过滤器采集的微尘粒子中的砷镉钴铬铜铁锰镍铅钒锌

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

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

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

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

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

硅酸盐类样品中硅、铁、铝、钛、锰、钙、镁、钾、钠和磷的x射线荧光光谱测定

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

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

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

Mountains,nations, parks,and conservation

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

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

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

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

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