The crystal structure of ilinskite, NaCu5O2(SeO3)2Cl3, and review of mixed-ligand CuOmCln coordination geometries in minerals and inorganic compounds

The crystal structure of ilinskite, NaCu₅O₂(SeO₃)₂Cl₃, a rare copper selenite chloride from volcanic fumaroles of the Great fissure Tolbachik eruption (Kamchatka peninsula, Russia), has been solved by direct methods and refined to R ₁?=?0.044 on the basis of 2720 unique observed reflections. The mineral is orthorhombic, Pnma, a?=?17.769(7), b?=?6.448(3), c?=?10.522(4) Å, V?=?1205.6(8) ų, Z?=?4. The The CuO_mCl_n coordination polyhedra share edges to form tetramers that have 'additional' O1 and O2 atoms as centers. The O1Cu₄ and O2Cu₄ tetrahedra share common Cu atoms to form [O₂Cu₅]⁶⁺ sheets. The SeO₃ groups and Cl atoms are adjacent to the [O₂Cu₅]⁶⁺ sheets to form complex layers parallel to (100). The Na⁺ cations are located in between the layers. A review of mixed-ligand CuO_mCl_n coordination polyhedra in minerals and inorganic compounds is given. There are in total 26 stereochemically different mixed-ligand Cu-O-Cl coordinations.     

Higher anthraxolites

Recent years have been marked by progress in studying the structure of natural X-ray amorphous substances, anthraxolites included, by scanning electron and atomic power microscopy. Integration of the available data on molecular and supramolecular structure of higher anthraxolites from Karelia, Novaya Zemlya, and the Urals allowed elaboration of new classification criteria for solid bitumen, namely, degree of structure perfection and micromineral composition. This approach will help to eliminate disadvantages of traditional investigation of solid bitumen.     

Petrochemistry of the deccan trap flows of linga,Chhindwara district,M.P., India

Five representative cumulative samples of basal flows were chemically analysed. Normative composition (CIPW),DI, FI, MI, SI, f (norms) and ‘S’ indices have been calculated therefrom. It is concluded that the Linga flows are tholeiitic in nature with slightly more FeO, MgO and Al₂O₃ than most tholeiitic basalts. They represent eariy-middle stage basalts with DI less than 30. Thef-norms put these flows in the pyroxene field indicating an early fractionation of pyroxenes causing relative iron enrichment. Textural evidences, also, support a late fractionation of feldspar with overlapping periods of crystallisation of pyroxene and feldspar. The similarity in composition of the lower flows is more apparent than true. The trend of differentiation is characteristically tholeiitic. Oxygen and vapour fugacity may have been responsible for a shift in the general trend of differentiation. Explosive eruption of the magma, which was well mixed and which cooled rapidly, is borne by the features exhibited by these flows.     

Production of selected cosmogenic radionuclides by muons: 2. Capture of negative muons

We have determined the production yields for radionuclides in Al₂O₃, SiO₂, S, Ar, K₂SO₄, CaCO₃, Fe, Ni and Cu targets, which were irradiated with slow negative muons at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen (Switzerland). The fluences of the stopped negative muons were determined by measuring the muonic X-rays. The concentrations of the long-lived and short-lived radionuclides were measured with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and γ-spectroscopy, respectively. Special emphasis was put on the radionuclides ¹⁰Be, ¹⁴C and ²⁶Al produced in quartz targets, ²⁶Al in Al₂O₃ and S targets, ³⁶Cl in K₂SO₄ and CaCO₃ targets, and ⁵³Mn in Fe₂O₃ targets. These targets were selected because they are also the naturally occurring target minerals for cosmic ray interactions in typical rocks. We also present results of calculations for depth-dependent production rates of radionuclides produced after cosmic ray μ⁻ capture, as well as cosmic ray-induced production rates of geologically relevant radionuclides produced by the nucleonic component, by μ⁻ capture, by fast muons and by neutron capture.     

Klüfte und Talrichtungen im Turon des südöstlichen Münsterlandes

Zusammenfassung Am Südostrand des Münsterländer Kreidebeckens fließen alle größeren Wasserläufe im Bereich der Turonkalke nach NNE oder NE, obwohl das allgemeine Gelände- und Schichtengefälle nach NNW gerichtet ist. Die Ursachen für diese Abweichung sind im Mechanismus der Felserosion zu suchen, der im wesentlichen durch die Eigentümlichkeiten der Karstgerinne und durch die Gesteinszerklüftung bestimmt wird. Bei den Detailuntersuchungen geben sich komplexe Beziehungen zwischen Fließrichtung und Kluftrichtungen zu erkennen.Besonders bedeutend für die Entstehung der NNE gerichteten Täler sind die 170°- und 30°-streichenden Klüfte.

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On the south-east border of the Cretaceous basin of Munster, Westfalia, the current directions of streams in the area of Turon-limestone go to NNE or NE, although the main dipping of land surface as well as bedding planes points towards NNW. This divergence is caused by the mechanism of rock erosion, which is determined by peculiarities of subterranean stream channels and joints in limestone. The investigations show complex relations between flow direction and direction of joints.The 170°- and 30°-striking joints are significant of the origin of the NNE direction of the valleys.

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Résumé Dans le Turonien au bord sud-est du bassin Crétacé de Münster (Westphalie) toutes les rivières coulent en direction nord-nord-est ou nord-est, quoique la surface morphologique générale et les couches soient penchées en direction nord-nord-ouest. Cette divergence est expliquée par le mécanisme de l'érosion qui dépend principalement des fentes et du caractère des ruisseaux karstiques. Pendant ces études on a pu observer des relations complexes entre la direction des courants et la direction des fentes.Les fentes en direction nord-nord-est (30°) et sud-sud-est (170°) ont considérablement influencé l'origine des vallées.

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- - , -. . . , NNE, , 170° 30°.

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Herrn Professor Dr.Roland Brinkmann zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

The bonding of ferrous iron to sulfur and oxygen in tetrahedral coordination: A comparative study using SCF Xα scattered wave molecular orbital calculations

Molecular quantum mechanical calculations have been performed on high-spin ferrous iron tetrahedrally coordinated to sulfur and oxygen, respectively. The molecular orbital energies obtained from the calculations are compared with experimental optical and X-ray emission spectra. Good agreement was found between calculated and experimental spectral transition energies for the optical absorption spectra of Fe²⁺ in sphalerite, of Fe²⁺ in FeAl₂O₄, staurolite and (Zn, Fe)O, and for the FeKβ X-ray emission spectra of FeCr₂O₄. This both clarified interpretation of the spectra and established the validity of the calculations. Distinct differences occur in the molecular orbital structures of the sulfide and oxide clusters. In the sulfide, the crystal field type (mainly Fe 3d) molecular orbitals lie within the nonbonding (mainly S 3p) orbitais in energy, whereas in the oxide, they lie well above the 02p nonbonding orbitals. This also results in a wider valence band in the oxide than in the sulfide. The crystal field type (Fe 3d) molecular orbitais have more ligand character in the sulfide than the oxide and the chalcophilic properties of iron are partly attributed to this observation.     

Publications received by the Editor

Abstract

Remote sensing is the use of electromagnetic energy to measure the physical properties of distant objects. It includes photography and geophysical surveying as well as newer techniques that use other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. The history of remote sensing begins with photography. The origin of other types of remote sensing can be traced to World War II, with the development of radar, sonar, and thermal infrared detection systems. Since the 1960s, sensors have been designed to operate in virtually all of the electromagnetic spectrum. Today a wide variety of remote sensing instruments are available for use in hydrological studies; satellite data, such as Skylab photographs and Landsat images are particularly suitable for regional problems and studies. Planned future satellites will provide a ground resolution of 10–80 m.

Remote sensing is currently used for hydrological applications in most countries of the world. The range of applications includes groundwater exploration determination of physical water quality, snowfield mapping, flood-inundation delineation, and making inventories of irrigated land. The use of remote sensing commonly results in considerable hydrological information at minimal cost. This information can be used to speed-up the development of water resources, to improve management practices, and to monitor environmental problems.     

Hydrogeological and Gasgeochemical Earthquake Precursors – A Review for Application

Even if earthquake precursory signals can be identified, how can they be useful? This paper investigates relationships among the attributes of 229 proposed earthquake related gasgeochemical and hydrogeological precursory signals, and applies these results to improve future earthquake prediction strategies. Sub-groups of these reported signals and relationships between sub-groups are established using parameters, including earthquake magnitude, signal duration, precursory time, and epicentral distance to the monitoring site (original studies are used wherever possible to improve data quality). A strong correlation (r=0.86) between signal duration and precursory time was identified. This suggests a relationship between the investigated precursory signals and tectonic processes related to the referenced earthquakes. Moreover, these signals are categorized into four groups, reflecting differences in monitoring station densities, measurement methods and physical processes related to signal occurrence: (a) radon exhalation from the earth’s crust, (b) exhalation of other gases (helium, argon and others), (c) temporal variation in water level or discharge of springs and (d) temporal variation in temperature and dissolved ions in the water of the monitoring sites. In addition, boundary functions are used to separate signal group subsets. Finally, it is shown how these boundary functions can be used in the context of an earthquake prediction strategy by identifying potential minimum magnitudes and maximum epicentral distances from the monitoring site.