The superellipsoidal form of coarse clastic sediment particles

An approximating form for coarse water-worn clasts based on the superellipsoid is proposed. The sectional outlines of pebbles from Gower (Wales) beaches approximate superellipses described by this equation in rectangular coordinates $$\frac{{x^p }}{{a^p }} + \frac{{x^p }}{{b^p }} = 1$$ wherea andb are principal semi-axes. For AB planes of the pebbles,p is close to 2, but in AC sections,p averages about 2.6. The measured volumes of pebbles are poor approximations to the previously proposed ellipsoidal model of pebble form. Instead, volumes are shown to accord with a three-dimensional form consisting of a superellipsoid of revolution, i.e., a solid of revolution produced by rotating a superellipse about one of its principal axes.     

Crustal Growth Rate of the North China Platform：a Method of Estimating Mass Equilibrium between Crust and Mantle

The following equation is proposed in this paper to estimate the crustal growth rate of the North China Platform on the basis of mass equilibrium between the crust and the mantle:

Magnesiochloritoid: Compressibility and high pressure structure refinement

The response of magnesiochloritoid to pressure has been studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell, using crystals with composition Mg_1.3Fe_0.7Al₄Si₂O₁₀(OH)₄. The unit cell parameters decrease from a = 9.434 (3), b = 5.452 (2), c = 18.136 (5) Å, β = 101.42° (2) (1 bar pressure) to a = 9.370 (7), b = 5.419 (5), c = 17.88 (1) Å, β = 101.5° (1) (42 kbar pressure), following a slightly anisotropic compression pattern (linear compressibilities parallel to unit cell edges: β _a = 1.85, β _b = 1.74, β_c = 3.05 × 10^?4 kbar^?1) with a bulk modulus of 1480 kbar. Perpendicular to c, the most compressible direction, the crystal structure (space group C2/c) consists of two kinds of alternating octahedral layers connected via isolated SiO₄ tetrahedra. With increasing pressure the slightly wavy layer [Mg_1.3Fe_0.7AlO₂(OH)₄] tends to flatten. Furthermore, the octahedra in this layer, with all cations underbonded, are more compressible than the octahedra in the (A1₃O₈) layer with slightly overbonded aluminum. Comparison between high-pressure and high-temperature data yields the following equations: $$\begin{gathered} a_{P,T} = 9.434{\text{ }}{\AA} - 174 \cdot 10^{ - 5} {\text{ }}{\AA}{\text{kb}}^{{\text{ - 1}}} \cdot P \hfill \\ {\text{ }} + 9 \cdot 10^{ - 5} {\text{ }}{\AA}^\circ C^{ - 1} \cdot (T - 25^\circ C) \hfill \\ b_{P,T} = 5.452{\text{ }}{\AA} - 95 \cdot 10^{ - 5} {\text{ }}{\AA}{\text{kb}}^{{\text{ - 1}}} \cdot P \hfill \\ {\text{ }} + 5 \cdot 65 \cdot 10^{ - 5} {\text{ }}{\AA}^\circ C^{ - 1} \cdot (T - 25^\circ C) \hfill \\ c_{P,T} = 18.136{\text{ }}{\AA} - 549 \cdot 10^{ - 5} {\text{ }}{\AA}{\text{kb}}^{{\text{ - 1}}} \cdot P \hfill \\ {\text{ }} + 16 \cdot 2^{ - 5} {\text{ }}{\AA}^\circ C^{ - 1} \cdot (T - 25^\circ C) \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ with P in kbar and T in °C. These equations indicate that the unit cell and bond geometry of magnesiochloritoid at formation conditions do not differ greatly from those at the outcrop conditions, e.g. the calculated unitcell volume is 917.3 ų at P = 16 kbar and T=500 °C, whereas the observed volume at room conditions is 914.4 ų. In addition, they show that the specific gravity increases from formation at depth to outcrop at surface conditions.     

Oxygen isotope fractionation between rutile and water

Synthetic rutile-water fractionations (1000 ln α) at 775, 675, and 575° C were found to be ?2.8, ?3.5, and ?4.8, respectively. Partial exchange experiments with natural rutile at 575° C and with synthetic rutile at 475° C failed to yield reliable fractionations. Isotopic fractionation within the range 575–775° C may be expressed as follows: 1 $$1000\ln \alpha ({\rm T}i{\rm O}_{2 } - H_2 O) = - 4.1 \frac{{10^6 }}{{T_{k^2 } }} + 0.96$$ . Combined with previously determined quartz-water fractionations, the above data permit calibration of the quartz-rutile geothermometer: 1 $$1000\ln \alpha ({\text{S}}i{\rm O}_{2 } - Ti{\rm O}_{2 } ) = 6.6 \frac{{10^6 }}{{T_{k^2 } }} - 2.9$$ . When applied to B-type eclogites from Europe, as an example, the latter equation yields a mean equilibration temperature of 565° C.     

Atmospheric pressure changes due to volcanic eruptions and possible water level fluctuations

The data of Reed (1983) are analysed to produce the following empirical equations for the amplitude p ₀ (overall fluctuation) in Pascals of the air pressure wave associated with a volcanic eruption of volume V km³ or a nuclear explosion of strength M Mt: Here s is the distance from the source in km. $$\begin{gathered} \log _{10} p_0 = 4.44 + \log _{10} V - 0.84\log _{10} s \hfill \\ {\text{ }} = 3.44 + \log _{10} M - 0.84\log _{10} s. \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ Garrett's (1970) theory is examined on the generation of water level fluctuations by an air pressure wave crossing a water depth discontinuity such as a continental shelf. The total amplitude of the ocean wave is determined to be where c ₂ ¹ = gh ₁, c ₂ ² = gh ₂, g is acceleration of gravity, h ₁ and h ₂ are the water depths on the ocean and shore side of the depth discontinuity, c is the speed of propagation of the air pressure wave, and ? is the water density. $$B = \left[ {\frac{{c_2^2 }}{{c^2 - c_2^2 }} + \frac{{c^2 (c_1 - c_2 )}}{{(c - c_1 )(c^2 - c_2^2 )}}} \right]\frac{{p_0 }}{{g\varrho }}$$ It is calculated that a 10 km³ eruption at Mount St. Augustine would cause a 460 Pa air pressure wave and a discernible water level fluctuation at Vancouver Island of several cm amplitude.     

Theoretical calculation of equilibrium Mg isotope fractionation between silicate melt and its vapor

Isotope fractionation during the evaporation of silicate melt and condensation of vapor has been widely used to explain various isotope signals observed in lunar soils, cosmic spherules, calcium–aluminum-rich inclusions, and bulk compositions of planetary materials. During evaporation and condensation, the equilibrium isotope fractionation factor (α) between high-temperature silicate melt and vapor is a fundamental parameter that can constrain the melt’s isotopic compositions. However, equilibrium α is difficult to calibrate experimentally. Here we used Mg as an example and calculated equilibrium Mg isotope fractionation in MgSiO₃ and Mg₂SiO₄ melt–vapor systems based on first-principles molecular dynamics and the high-temperature approximation of the Bigeleisen–Mayer equation. We found that, at 2500 K, δ²⁵Mg values in the MgSiO₃ and Mg₂SiO₄ melts were 0.141?±?0.004 and 0.143?±?0.003‰ more positive than in their respective vapors. The corresponding δ²⁶Mg values were 0.270?±?0.008 and 0.274?±?0.006‰ more positive than in vapors, respectively. The general \(\alpha - T\) equations describing the equilibrium Mg α in MgSiO₃ and Mg₂SiO₄ melt–vapor systems were: \(\alpha_{{{\text{Mg}}\left( {\text{l}} \right) - {\text{Mg}}\left( {\text{g}} \right)}} = 1 + \frac{{5.264 \times 10^{5} }}{{T^{2} }}\left( {\frac{1}{m} - \frac{1}{{m^{\prime}}}} \right)\) and \(\alpha_{{{\text{Mg}}\left( {\text{l}} \right) - {\text{Mg}}\left( {\text{g}} \right)}} = 1 + \frac{{5.340 \times 10^{5} }}{{T^{2} }}\left( {\frac{1}{m} - \frac{1}{{m^{\prime}}}} \right)\), respectively, where m is the mass of light isotope ²⁴Mg and m′ is the mass of the heavier isotope, ²⁵Mg or ²⁶Mg. These results offer a necessary parameter for mechanistic understanding of Mg isotope fractionation during evaporation and condensation that commonly occurs during the early stages of planetary formation and evolution.     

Kinetic rate laws derived from order parameter theory IV: Kinetics of Al,Si disordering in Na-feldspars

The kinetic rate laws of Al-Si disordering under dry conditions (T = 1353K, 1253 K, 1223 K, 1183 K) and in the presence of water (p = 1 kbar, T = 1023 K, 1073 K, 1103 K) were studied both experimentally and theoretically. A gradual change of the degree of order was found under dry conditions. For intermediate degrees of order broad distributions of the order parameter Q _od occur. The variations of Q _od are correlated with structural modulations as observed in the transmission electron microscope. The time evolution of the mean value of Q _od can be well described by the rate law: $$\frac{{dQ_{od} }}{{dt}} = - \frac{\gamma }{{RT}}\exp \sum\limits_{i = 1}^n {X_i^2 } \left[ {\frac{{ - (G_a^0 + \varepsilon (\Delta Q_{od} )^2 )}}{{RT}}} \right]\frac{{dG}}{{dQ_{od} }}$$ with the excess Gibbs energy G and G _a ⁰ = 433.8 kJ/mol, ?= -27.4 kJ/mol, γ = 1.687 · 10¹⁴ h ^?1. Under wet conditions, two processes were found which occur simultaneously. Firstly, some material renucleated with the equilibrium degree of order. Secondly, the bulk of the material transformed following the same rate law as under dry conditions but with the reduced activation energy G _a ⁰ = 332.0 kJ/mol and ? = -43.0 kJ/ mol, γ = 1.047 · 10¹³ h^?1. The applicability of the kinetic theory is discussed and some ideas for the analysis of geological observations are evolved.     

An experimental study of the partitioning of Fe and Mg between garnet and orthopyroxene

The partitioning of Fe and Mg between garnet and aluminous orthopyroxene has been experimentally investigated in the pressure-temperature range 5–30 kbar and 800–1,200° C in the FeO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (FMAS) and CaO-FeO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (CFMAS) systems. Within the errors of the experimental data, orthopyroxene can be regarded as macroscopically ideal. The effects of Calcium on Fe-Mg partitioning between garnet and orthopyroxene can be attributed to non-ideal Ca-Mg interactions in the garnet, described by the interaction term:W _CaMg ^ga -W _CaFe ^ga =1,400±500 cal/mol site. Reduction of the experimental data, combined with molar volume data for the end-member phases, permits the calibration of a geothermometer which is applicable to garnet peridotites and granulites: $$T(^\circ C) = \left\{ {\frac{{3,740 + 1,400X_{gr}^{ga} + 22.86P(kb)}}{{R\ln K_D + 1.96}}} \right\} - 273$$ with $$K_D = {{\left\{ {\frac{{Fe}}{{Mg}}} \right\}^{ga} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\left\{ {\frac{{Fe}}{{Mg}}} \right\}^{ga} } {\left\{ {\frac{{Fe}}{{Mg}}} \right\}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\left\{ {\frac{{Fe}}{{Mg}}} \right\}}}$$ and $$X_{gr}^{ga} = (Ca/Ca + Mg + Fe)^{ga} .$$ The accuracy and precision of this geothermometer are limited by largerelative errors in the experimental and natural-rock data and by the modest absolute variation inK _D with temperature. Nevertheless, the geothermometer is shown to yield reasonable temperature estimates for a variety of natural samples.     

Carbon and oxygen diffusion in calcite: Effects of Mn content and P H2O

The diffusion rates of carbon and oxygen in two calcite crystals of different Mn contents have been studied between 500° and 800° C in a CO₂-H₂O atmosphere (P _{CO 2}=1?5 bars, P _H2_O=0.02?24 bars) labeled with ¹³C and ¹⁸O. Isotope concentration gradients within annealed specimens were measured using a secondary ion microprobe by depth profiling parallel and perpendicular to the c axis. Despite the anisotropic structure of calcite, the diffusion of carbon and oxygen are both very nearly isotropic. Least-squares fitting of the carbon data to an Arrhenius relation gives an activation energy of 87±2 kcal/mole, with D ₀ terms dependent only slightly upon direction: 1 $$D_{\text{0}} {\text{(}}\parallel c{\text{) = }}\left( {9\frac{{ + 12}}{{ - 5}}} \right){\text{x10}}^{\text{2}} cm^2 /s$$ , 2 $$D_{\text{0}} {\text{(}} \bot c{\text{) = }}\left( {5\frac{{ + 6}}{{ - 3}}} \right){\text{x10}}^{\text{2}} cm^2 /s$$ . These results are in close agreement with previous determinations. Results for oxygen diffusion, however, give D values much larger than those previously reported for dry conditions; at 650° to 800° C the D values are two orders of magnitude larger. The diffusion of oxygen, unlike carbon, is strongly dependent on water pressure, as well as Mn content, and does not fit an Arrhenius relation over the entire temperature range. On the basis of these observations and considerations of the defect chemistry of calcite, it is proposed that carbon migrates as a Frenkel pair. The diffusion of oxygen, however, appears to be more complicated and may depend upon several simultaneous mechanisms.     

The experimental investigation of the reactions MnCO3+SiO2=MnSiO37#x002B;CO2 and MnSiO3+MnCO3=Mn2SiO4+CO2 in CO2/H2O gasmixtures at a total pressure of 500 bars

The equilibrium constants for the reaction (2) Rhodochrosite + Quartz=Pyroxmangite+CO₂ obtained are:logK(₂)(bars)= $$\begin{gathered}{\text{log}}f_{co_2 } = - \frac{{(9862 \pm 102)}}{T} \hfill \\+ (15.887 \pm 0.220) + (0.1037 \pm 0.0020)\frac{{P - 1}}{T} \hfill \\\end{gathered} $$ and for the reaction (3) Rhodochrosite+Pyroxmangite=Tephroite+CO₂: logK(₃)(bars)= $$\begin{gathered}{\text{log}}f_{co_2 } = - \frac{{(6782 \pm 205)}}{T} \hfill \\+ (11.296 \pm 0.304) + (0.0835 \pm 0.0030)\frac{{P - 1}}{T} \hfill \\\end{gathered} $$ The present data lie within reasonable limits of error of the values calculated from previous experimental results at P _tot = 2000 bars.     

Inverted high-temperature quartz

Fifty-two samples of inverted high-temperature quartz from volcanic rocks were investigated by Guinier-Jago powder diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Quartz megacrysts from Clear Lake and Cinder Cone, California show a variability of ?2.5 ° K in their α-β transition temperature (T _α-β). Quartz phenocrysts and quartz from crystalline rocks give a range of 0.5 ° K in T _α-β. Neutron activation analysis of single crystals demonstrates that Al is the principal impurity (17–380 ppm). Its concentration is inversely correlated with T _α-β. A very small variation was found in the a and c lattice parameters among the specimens of volcanic quartz studied. This variation does not correlate with Al content or transition temperature. Mean values at 22 ° C (a=4.1934±0.0004 Å, c=5.4046±0.0006 Å) are similar to those of quartz grown at low temperatures. Enthalpy of the α-β transition (ΔH _α-β), obtained over 9.0 ° from DSC runs, is dependent upon sample grain size and for a crushed powder with zero hysteresis (T _α-β on heating=T _α-β on cooling) is 92.0 ±1.4 cal/mol. In contrast, a single piece of quartz requires ΔH _α-β be 107.7±1.4 cal/mol and has a T _α-β hysteresis of 1.1 ° K. Regression of published data provides equations for the variation of the molar volume (cc/mol) of quartz with v. These equations imply a ΔV _α-β of 0.205±0.031 cc/- mol. Expressions are also provided for the temperature dependence of the thermal coefficient of expansion, α, the compressibility, β, and (?/gb/?T)_p (which is identically -(?α/?P) _T ). DSC heat capacity measurements over the range 400 to 900 ° K were fitted to extended Maier-Kelley type expressions to give: $$\begin{gathered} C_P = 10.31 + 9.116 \times 10^{ - 3} T - \frac{{1.812 \times 10^5 }}{{T^2 }} \hfill \\ - {\text{5}}{\text{.630}} \times 10^{ - 2} {\text{ }}\frac{T}{{(T - 848)}} - 0.3553\frac{T}{{(T - 848)^2 }} \hfill \\ - 0.9011\frac{T}{{\left( {T - 848} \right)^3 }} \hfill \\ (400{\text{ to 842}}^ \circ {\text{K), and}} \hfill \\ C_P = - 318.8 + 0.2532T \hfill \\ {\text{ + }}\frac{{8.687 \times 10^7 }}{{T^2 }} + 0.1603\frac{T}{{\left( {T - 848} \right)^4 }} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ (851 to 900 ° K), which together with the values of ΔH _α?β measured over the range 842–851° K give 7875.3 cal/mol for H₉₀₀-H₄₀₀. The behavior of α, β, and C _p as a function of T emphasizes that structural changes which occur at the α?β transition do so over a broad temperature interval.     

(Ca,Mg)2Si2O6 clinopyroxenes: A solution model based on nonconvergent site-disorder

Experiments at high pressure and temperature indicate that excess Ca may be dissolved in diopside. If the (Ca, Mg)₂Si₂O₆ clinopyroxene solution extends to more Ca-rich compositions than CaMgSi₂O₆, macroscopic regular solution models cannot strictly be applied to this system. A nonconvergent site-disorder model, such as that proposed by Thompson (1969, 1970), may be more appropriate. We have modified Thompson's model to include asymmetric excess parameters and have used a linear least-squares technique to fit the available experimental data for Ca-Mg orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene equilibria and Fe-free pigeonite stability to this model. The model expressions for equilibrium conditions \(\mu _{{\text{Mg}}_{\text{2}} {\text{Si}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{6}} }^{{\text{opx}}} = \mu _{{\text{Mg}}_{\text{2}} {\text{Si}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{6}} }^{{\text{cpx}}} \) (reaction A) and \(\mu _{{\text{Ca}}_{\text{2}} {\text{Si}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{6}} }^{{\text{opx}}} = \mu _{{\text{Ca}}_{\text{2}} {\text{Si}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{6}} }^{{\text{cpx}}} \) (reaction B) are given by: 1 $$\begin{gathered} \Delta \mu _{\text{A}}^{\text{O}} = {\text{RT 1n}}\left[ {\frac{{(X_{{\text{Mg}}}^{{\text{opx}}} )^2 }}{{X_{{\text{Mg}}}^{{\text{M1}}} \cdot X_{{\text{Mg}}}^{{\text{M2}}} }}} \right] - \frac{1}{2}\{ W_{21} [2(X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M2}}} )^3 - (X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M2}}} ] \hfill \\ {\text{ + 2W}}_{{\text{22}}} [X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M2}}} )^2 - (X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M2}}} )^3 + \Delta {\text{G}}_{\text{*}}^{\text{0}} (X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M1}}} \cdot X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M2}}} )\} \hfill \\ {\text{ + W}}^{{\text{opx}}} (X_{{\text{Wo}}}^{{\text{opx}}} )^2 \hfill \\ \Delta \mu _{\text{B}}^{\text{O}} = {\text{RT 1n}}\left[ {\frac{{(X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{opx}}} )^2 }}{{X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M1}}} \cdot X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M2}}} }}} \right] - \frac{1}{2}\{ 2W_{21} [2(X_{{\text{Mg}}}^{{\text{M2}}} )^2 - (X_{{\text{Mg}}}^{{\text{M2}}} )^3 ] \hfill \\ {\text{ + W}}_{{\text{22}}} [2(X_{{\text{Mg}}}^{{\text{M2}}} )^3 - (X_{{\text{Mg}}}^{{\text{M2}}} )^2 + \Delta {\text{G}}_{\text{*}}^{\text{0}} (X_{{\text{Mg}}}^{{\text{M1}}} \cdot X_{{\text{Mg}}}^{{\text{M2}}} )\} \hfill \\ {\text{ + W}}^{{\text{opx}}} (X_{{\text{En}}}^{{\text{opx}}} )^2 \hfill \\ \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ where 1 $$\begin{gathered} \Delta \mu _{\text{A}}^{\text{O}} = 2.953 + 0.0602{\text{P}} - 0.00179{\text{T}} \hfill \\ \Delta \mu _{\text{B}}^{\text{O}} = 24.64 + 0.958{\text{P}} - (0.0286){\text{T}} \hfill \\ {\text{W}}_{{\text{21}}} = 47.12 + 0.273{\text{P}} \hfill \\ {\text{W}}_{{\text{22}}} = 66.11 + ( - 0.249){\text{P}} \hfill \\ {\text{W}}^{{\text{opx}}} = 40 \hfill \\ \Delta {\text{G}}_*^0 = 155{\text{ (all values are in kJ/gfw)}}{\text{.}} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ . Site occupancies in clinopyroxene were determined from the internal equilibrium condition 1 $$\begin{gathered} \Delta G_{\text{E}}^{\text{O}} = - {\text{RT 1n}}\left[ {\frac{{X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M1}}} \cdot X_{{\text{Mg}}}^{{\text{M2}}} }}{{X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M2}}} \cdot X_{{\text{Mg}}}^{{\text{M1}}} }}} \right] + \tfrac{1}{2}[(2{\text{W}}_{{\text{21}}} - {\text{W}}_{{\text{22}}} )(2{\text{X}}_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M2}}} - 1) \hfill \\ {\text{ + }}\Delta G_*^0 (X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M1}}} - X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M2}}} ) + \tfrac{3}{2}(2{\text{W}}_{{\text{21}}} - {\text{W}}_{{\text{22}}} ) \hfill \\ {\text{ (1}} - 2X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M1}}} )(X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{{\text{M1}}} + \tfrac{1}{2})] \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ where δG _E ⁰ =153+0.023T+1.2P. The predicted concentrations of Ca on the clinopyroxene Ml site are low enough to be compatible with crystallographic studies. Temperatures calculated from the model for coexisting ortho- and clinopyroxene pairs fit the experimental data to within 10° in most cases; the worst discrepancy is 30°. Phase relations for clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene and pigeonite are successfully described by this model at temperatures up to 1,600° C and pressures from 0.001 to 40 kbar. Predicted enthalpies of solution agree well with the calorimetric measurements of Newton et al. (1979). The nonconvergent site disorder model affords good approximations to both the free energy and enthalpy of clinopyroxenes, and, therefore, the configurational entropy as well. This approach may provide an example for Febearing pyroxenes in which cation site exchange has an even more profound effect on the thermodynamic properties.     

High-temperature creep and kinetic decomposition of Ni2SiO4

To investigate high-temperature creep and kinetic decomposition of nickel orthosilicate (Ni₂SiO₄), aggregates containing 3 vol% amorphous SiO₂ have been deformed in uniaxial compression at a total pressure of one atomsphere. Twenty-three samples with grain sizes (d) from 9 to 30 m were deformed at temperatures (T) from 1573 to 1813 K, differential stresses () from 3 to 20 MPa, and oxygen fugacities (f o ₂) from 10^-1 to 10⁵ Pa. At temperatures up to 1773 K, the steady-state creep rate () can be described by the flow law

Opening and resetting temperatures in heating geochronological systems

We present a theoretical model for diffusive daughter isotope loss in radiochronological systems with increasing temperature. It complements previous thermochronological models, which focused on cooling, and allows for testing opening and resetting of radiochronometers during heating. The opening and resetting temperatures are, respectively,

A thermodynamic formulation of hydrous cordierite

A thermodynamic formulation of hydrous Mg-cordierite (Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈·nH₂O) has been obtained by application of calorimetric and X-ray diffraction data for hydrous cordierite to the results of hydrothermal syntheses. The data include measurements of the molar heat capacity and enthalpy of hydration and the molar volume. The synthesis data are consistent with a thermodynamic formulation in which H₂O mixes ideally on a single crystallographic site in hydrous cordierite. The standard molar Gibbs free energy of hydration is-9.5±1.0 kJ/mol (an average of 61 syntheses). The standard molar entropy of hydration derived from this value is-108±3 J/mol-K. An equation providing the H₂O content of cordierite as a function of temperature and fugacity of H₂O is as follows (n moles of H₂O per formula unit, n<1): $$\begin{gathered}n = {{f_{{\text{ H}}_{\text{2}} O}^{\text{V}} } \mathord{\left/{\vphantom {{f_{{\text{ H}}_{\text{2}} O}^{\text{V}} } {\left( {f_{{\text{ H}}_{\text{2}} O}^{\text{V}} + {\text{exp}}\left[ { - {\text{3}}{\text{.8389}} - 5025.2\left( {\frac{1}{T} - \frac{1}{{298.15}}} \right)} \right.} \right.}}} \right.\kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\left( {f_{{\text{ H}}_{\text{2}} O}^{\text{V}} + {\text{exp}}\left[ { - {\text{3}}{\text{.8389}} - 5025.2\left( {\frac{1}{T} - \frac{1}{{298.15}}} \right)} \right.} \right.}} \hfill \\{\text{ }}\left. {\left. { - {\text{ln}}\left( {\frac{T}{{{\text{298}}{\text{.15}}}}} \right) - \left( {\frac{{298.15}}{T} - 1} \right)} \right]} \right) \hfill \\\end{gathered}$$ Application of this formulation to the breakdown reaction of Mg-cordierite to an assemblage of pyrope-sillimanite-quartz±H₂O shows that cordierite is stabilized by 3 to 3.5 kbar under H₂O-saturated conditions. The thermodynamic properties of H₂O in cordierite are similar to those of liquid water, with a standard molar enthalpy and Gibbs free energy of hydration that are the same (within experimental uncertainty) as the enthalpy and Gibbs free energy of vaporization. By contrast, most zeolites have Gibbs free energies of hydration two to four times more negative than the corresponding value for the vaporization of water.     

Kinetic rate laws derived from order parameter theory III: Al,Si ordering in sanidine

The time dependence of the ordering and disordering of Al and Si in sanidine is described within the framework of the kinetic rate laws developed in papers I and II of this series. It was found that the relevant order parameter Q _t is homogeneous and non-conserved. The rate law is:

Kinetic rate laws as derived from order parameter theory V: Computer simulations of ordering processes using a soft ising model

The kinetic and equilibrium behaviour of order/disorder systems and related processes are simulated using an Ising spin model in which the coupling between spins occurs via local strain in a harmonic lattice. The equilibrium states are found to be well described by a mean field Landau-type Gibbs free energy. The ordering kinetics laws follow the rate law:

Improved Estimation of the Box–Cox Transform Parameter and Its Application to Hydrogeochemical Data

The standard Box and Cox generalized power transform of the form (x ^λ ? l)/λ is applied to preprocess hydrogeochemical uranium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine, sulphate, carbonate, vanadium, pH, and conductivity data. These data do not reduce to normal form at the optimum value λ obtained using the three objective functions as discussed by R. J. Howarth and S. A. M. Earle. We use an objective function based on the observed and theoretical normal frequencies of the transformed data: uranium and calcium data reduce to the desired normal form at the λ values obtained by optimizing this new merit function: vanadium data to approximate normal form: but potassium, chlorine, and sulphate data do not. The other elemental data follow lognormal form. The consequence of the Box and Cox transformation is that if a set of data is reducible to normal form, then the density distribution of the original untransformed data is given by, $f(x) = \frac{1}{{\sigma \sqrt {2\prod {} } }}x^{\lambda - 1} e - \frac{{(\frac{{x^\lambda - 1}}{\lambda } - \mu )^2 }}{{2\sigma ^2 }}$ where μ and σ are the mean and standard deviation of the transformed data and λ is obtained by optimization of the new merit function; an exception is potassium data.     

Statistical mechanics of coupled solid solutions in the dilute limit

A statistical mechanical analysis of the limiting laws for coupled solid solutions shows that the random model, in which the configurational entropy is calculated as if atoms mix randomly on each crystallographic site, is correct as a first approximation. In coupled solid solutions, since atoms of different valence substitute on the same sites, significant short-range order which reduces the entropy can be expected. A first-order correction is rigorously obtained for the entropy in dilute binary short-range ordered coupled solid solutions: $$\bar S^{{\text{XS}}} {\text{/R = }}Q\left( {{\text{e}}^{--H_{\text{A}} /{\text{R}}T} \left( {\frac{{H_{\text{A}} }}{{{\text{R}}T}} + 1} \right) - 1} \right)N_2^a N_4^b ,$$ where Q is the number of positions an associated cation pair can assume per formula unit, H _A is the association energy per formula unit, and N ₂ ^a and N ₄ ^b are the site occupancy fractions for atoms 2 and 4 that are dilute on sites a and b. S ^XS is the configurational entropy minus the random model entropy. Aluminous pyroxenes on the joints diopside-jadeite and diopside-CaTs are examined as examples. A generalization for dilute multiple component solutions, including possible long-range ordering variations is given by: $$\frac{{\bar S^{{\text{XS}}} }}{{\text{R}}}{\text{ = }}\sum\limits_i {\sum\limits_j {\sum\limits_k {Q_i } } \left( {{\text{e}}^{--H_{\text{A}}^{j{\text{ }}k{\text{, }}i} /{\text{R}}T} \left( {\frac{{H_{\text{A}}^{j{\text{ }}k{\text{, }}i} }}{{{\text{R}}T}} + 1} \right) - 1} \right)N_j^l N_k^m ,} $$ where i labels each crystallographically distinct pair, j and k label atomic species, l and m label crystallographic sites, and the N's are site occupancy fractions for the solute atoms. A total association model is examined as well as the partial association and random models. Real solution behavior must lie between the total association model and the random model. Molecular models in which the ideal activity is proportional to a mole fraction, which in itself is not always unambiguously defined, do not lie in this range and furthermore have no physical justification.     

Enstatite-diopside solvus and geothermometry

The enstatite-diopside solvus presents certain interesting thermodynamic and crystal-structural problems. The solvus may be considered as parts of two solvi one with the ortho-structure and the other with clino-structure. By assuming the standard free energy change for the two reactions (MgMgSi₂O₆)opx ? (MgMgSi₂O₆)cpx and (CaMgSi₂O₆) opx ? (CaMgSi₂O₆) cpx as 500 and 1 000 to 3 000 cal/mol respectively, it is possible to calculate the regular solution parameter W for orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene. These W's essentially refer to mixing on M2 sites. The expression for the equilibrium constant by assuming ideal mixing for Fe-Mg, Fe-Ca and non-ideal mixing for Ca-Mg on binary M1 and ternary M2 sites is given by 1 $$K_a = \frac{{X_{{\text{Mg - cpx}}}^{{\text{M1}}} X_{{\text{Mg - cpx}}}^{{\text{M2}}} \exp \left[ {\frac{{W_{{\text{cpx}}} }}{{RT}}\left\{ {X_{{\text{Ca - cpx}}}^{{\text{M2}}} \left( {X_{{\text{Ca - cpx}}}^{{\text{M2}}} + X_{{\text{Fe - cpx}}}^{{\text{M2}}} } \right)} \right\}} \right]}}{{X_{{\text{Mg - cpx}}}^{{\text{M1}}} X_{{\text{Mg - opx}}}^{{\text{M2}}} \exp \left[ {\frac{{W_{{\text{cpx}}} }}{{RT}}\left\{ {X_{{\text{Ca - opx}}}^{{\text{M2}}} \left( {X_{{\text{Ca - opx}}}^{{\text{M2}}} + X_{{\text{Fe - opx}}}^{{\text{M2}}} } \right)} \right\}} \right]}}$$ where X's are site occupancies, R is 1.987 and T is temperature in ^oK. Temperature of pyroxene crystallization may be estimated by substituting for T in the above equation until the equation ?RT In K _a=500 is satisfied. The shortcomings of this method are the incomplete standard free energy data on the end member components and the absence of site occupancy data in pyroxenes at high temperatures. The assumed free energy data do, however, show the possible extent of inaccuracy in temperature estimates resulting from the neglect of Mg-Ca non ideality.