Rutile/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>II phase equilibria

The transition between rutile and α-PbO₂ structured TiO₂ (TiO₂II) has been investigated at 700–1,200 °C and 4.2–9.6 GPa. Hydrothermal phase equilibrium experiments were performed in the multi-anvil apparatus to bracket the phase boundary at 700, 1,000, and 1,200 °C. The equilibrium phase boundary is described by the equation: P (GPa)=1.29+0.0065 T ( °C). In addition, growth of TiO₂II was observed in experiments at 500 and 600 °C, although growth of rutile was too slow to bracket unambiguously the equilibrium boundary at these temperatures. Water was not detected in either rutile or TiO₂II, and dry synthesis experiments at 1,200 °C were consistent with the phase boundary determined in the fluid-bearing experiments, suggesting that the equilibrium is unaffected by the presence of water. Our bracket of the phase boundary at 700 °C is consistent with the reversed, dry experiments of Akaogi et al. (1992) and the reversals of Olsen et al. (1999). The new data suggest that the phase boundary is linear, in agreement with Akaogi et al. (1992), but in striking contrast to the phase diagram inferred by Olsen et al. (1999). The natural occurrence of TiO₂II requires formation pressures considerably higher than the graphite–diamond phase boundary.     

Mineral precipitation and dissolution at two slag-disposal sites in northwestern Indiana,USA

Slag is a ubiquitous byproduct of the iron- and steel-refining industries. In northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois, slag has been deposited over more than 52 km² of land surface. Despite the widespread use of slag for fill and construction purposes, little is known about its chemical effects on the environment. Two slag-disposal sites were examined in northwestern Indiana where slag was deposited over the native glacial deposits. At a third site, where slag was not present, background conditions were defined. Samples were collected from cores and drill cuttings and described with scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis. Ground-water samples were collected and used to assess thermodynamic equilibria between authigenic minerals and existing conditions. Differences in the mineralogy at background and slag-affected sites were apparent. Calcite, dolomite, gypsum, iron oxides, and clay minerals were abundant in native sediments immediately beneath the slag. Mineral features indicated that these minerals precipitated rapidly from slag drainage and co-precipitated minor amounts of non-calcium metals and trace elements. Quartz fragments immediately beneath the slag showed extensive pitting that was not apparent in sediments from the background site, indicating chemical weathering by the hyperalkaline slag drainage. The environmental impacts of slag-related mineral precipitation include disruption of natural ground-water flow patterns and bed-sediment armoring in adjacent surface-water systems. Dissolution of native quartz by the hyperalkaline drainage may cause instability in structures situated over slag fill or in roadways comprised of slag aggregates.     

The influence of redox processes on trace element mobility in a sandy aquifer—an experimental approach

This study is concerned with the geochemical behavior of Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Ba, La and Ce under the reducing conditions of a bank infiltration system. To identify and interpret individual processes laboratory experiments were performed on columns containing sandy sediments of an anoxic pleistocene aquifer from the Ruhr valley (western Germany). The flow rate being the key variable was varied from 0.21 to 0.46 and 0.82 m/d (meters per day), whereas the concentration of the reducing agent (acetate) remained constant. A second experiment lasting 80 weeks was carried out at a flow rate of 0.80 m/d, in order to characterize interactions between the pore water and solid phase. The results of these experiments show that the geochemistry of the trace elements involved can be explained to a large extent by the major redox processes of manganese, iron and sulfate turnover. The trace elements As, Mo, Ce and La were released into the pore water as a result of the reduction of Mn- and Fe-(hydr)oxides within the zone of major redox processes. Cu and Zn were removed from the infiltrating water within the first centimeters of the column by sulfide (co)precipitation, whereas the mobility of Mo was controlled by sulfidic fixation further down the flow path. As a result of the decreasing S²⁻-concentrations along the flow path, dissolved As(III) was re-oxidized (E_H>− 250 mV) and precipitated as As(V) in a barium–arsenate-phase.     

The land cover and carbon cycle consequences of large-scale utilizations of biomass as an energy source

The use of modern biomass for energy generation has been considered in many studies as a possible measure for reducing or stabilizing global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. In this paper we assess the impacts of large-scale global utilization of biomass on regional and grid scale land cover, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon cycle. We have implemented in the global environmental change model IMAGE the LESS biomass intensive scenario, which was developed for the Second Assessment Report of IPCC. This scenario illustrates the potential for reducing energy related emission by different sets of fuel mixes and a higher energy efficiency. Our analysis especially covers different consequences involved with such modern biomass scenarios. We emphasize influences of CO₂ concentrations and climate change on biomass crop yield, land use, competition between food and biomass crops, and the different interregional trade patterns for modern biomass based energy. Our simulations show that the original LESS scenario is rather optimistic on the land requirements for large-scale biomass plantations. Our simulations show that 797 Mha is required while the original LESS scenario is based on 550 Mha. Such expansion of agricultural land will influence deforestation patterns and have significant consequenses for environmental issues, such as biodiversity. Altering modern biomass requirements and the locations where they are grown in the scenario shows that the outcome is sensitive for regional emissions and feedbacks in the C cycle and that competition between food and modern biomass can be significant. We conclude that the cultivation of large quantities of modern biomass is feasible, but that its effectiveness to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases has to be evaluated in combination with many other environmental land use and socio-economic factors.     

Lacustrine and palustrine carbonate petrography: an overview

Lacustrine limestones were formerly identified by their faunistic (limnea, planorbis) and floristic (Charophytes) content. For 30 years, indications of pedogenesis have been found in many lacustrine deposits, and consequently the concept of palustrine limestone was defined.Lacustrine fabrics are not that numerous: varved, laminated, homogeneous, peloidal, brecciated, gravelly, bioturbated (burrows), bioclastic, algal, and stromatolitic. Detrital beds are sometimes present and are interpreted as bottomset deposits. Palustrine fabrics result from exposure and pedogenesis of lacustrine mud. The main processes involved in this evolution are: cracking, with planar, curved, craze and skew planes, colonization by plants resulting in root traces, marmorization (redistribution of iron due to water table fluctuation), and redistribution of carbonates (needles, subspherical or cylindrical vertical nodules, carbonate coatings, early and late diagenetic crystals, Microcodium). Carbonate palustrine features can be associated with other minerals: palygorskite, gypsum, or silica. Alternation of lacustrine sedimentation and exposure/pedogenesis leads to the pseudo-microkarst facies resulting from enlargement of the complex network of root traces and horizontal cracks. The voids in the pseudo-microkarst facies are infilled with a polyphased internal sediment composed of carbonate and vadose silt and phreatic and vadose cements. Traces of exposure and pedogenesis are less in evidence in lacustrine bioclastic sands and algal-stromatolitic limestones. Finally, under certain conditions, the surficial laminar horizon and its associated perlitic crust (ooids) develops on palustrine muds and form a desert stromatolite.     

1988 COMPILATION OF ELEMENTAL CONCENTRATION DATA FOR USGS AGV-1, GSP-1 AND G-2

Concentration data on up to 90 individual constituents in USGS AGV-1, GSP-1, and G-2 have been collected from 1270 journal articles and technical reports. These data are summarized in consensus (mean) values with uncertainties expressed as +/- one standard deviation. Mean values are also calculated as a function of analytical procedure and all raw data are given in the tables. Recommended values are proposed based upon data criteria used by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology, formerly the National Bureau of Standards or NBS).     

Instrumental neutron activation in geoanalysis

Theoretical aspects of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) are discussed. Various applications of INAA to exploration geochemistry are described demonstrating its capabilities and its limitations.Cost, turnaround time, high sensitivity for certain elements, the non-destructive nature of analysis and its precision and accuracy have combined to make INAA an indispensible method for multielement determination on virtually all geological matrices. Humus, vegetation, heavy minerals, lake bottom sediments as well as rocks and soils comprise the major sample types analyzed by INAA. As many as 50 elements can be determined routinely and easily by INAA.