Characterisation of Memory Effects and Development of an Effective Wash Protocol for the Measurement of Petrogenetically Critical Trace Elements in Geological Samples by ICP-MS

High sensitivity and low detection limits would seem to make inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) an ideal analytical tool for determining low (sub-μg g^-1) concentrations of the rare earth elements (REE), Y, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Sn, W, Mo, Th, and U in most mafic materials (e.g. Hall and Plant 1992). However, the generally "sticky" nature exhibited by most of the high field strength elements (HFSEs: Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Th and U) as well as Sn, W and Mo can result in spurious results due to memory effects transmitted between unknowns and calibration samples. This, in turn, can seriously compromise the sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of ICP-MS analyses for these elements in geological materials. Data resulting from analyses with poor accuracy and precision can lead to erroneous interpretation and misleading petrogenetic modelling. To resolve this problem, we propose an effective wash protocol for these critical trace elements.     

Analysis of noble gases in water using a quadrupole mass spectrometer in static mode

A quadrupole-based mass spectrometer used in static mode has been employed to determine noble gas concentrations of water samples by isotope dilution. Water samples are degassed and spiked with minor isotopes of each noble gas. After separation of the various gas components, the isotopic ratios are measured in the mass spectrometer. Because a spike is added to each sample, the recovery of each gas component does not have to be quantitative. Equilibration temperatures are calculated from the gas concentrations, based on noble gas solubility data. An accuracy of ±1°C, from the air equilibration temperature, is attainable for air-saturated water samples prepared under controlled conditions in the laboratory. The method has been applied to groundwaters from the London Basin Chalk aquifer. The noble-gas-derived temperatures are consistent with climatic conditions prevailing at the periods of recharge.     

Oxide minerals in lithic fragments from Luna 20 fines

One hundred and seventy-six oxide mineral grains in the Luna 20 samples were analyzed by electron microprobe. Spinel is the most abundant oxide, occurring in troctolite fragments. Next most abundant is ilmenite, which occurs in all rock types except those containing spinel. Chromite also occurs in all rock types except those containing spinel. Minor amounts of ulvöspinel, armalcolite, zirkelite, baddeleyite and an unidentified TiO₂-rich phase were also found.Spinel grains are predominantly spinel-hercynite solid solutions, commonly with very minor chromite. The $\text{Fe}\text{(Fe + Mg)}$ ratio is generally lower than in spinel from Apollo 14 rocks. Chromites in non-mare rocks are similar to those from mare rocks. Ilmenite of mare origin is Mg-poor and Zr-rich compared to non-mare ilmenite; these elements may therefore be useful in determining the origin of ilmenite grains.Phase equilibria considerations suggest that spinel troctolite crystallized from a melt high in alumina; a likely candidate is the high-alumina basalt of Prinzet al. (1973a).Sub-micron wide rods of metallic Fe occur in plagioclase grains and may have formed by sub-solidus reduction processes.     

On the correlation of certain lower Dalradian successions in northwest Donegal

Within the Dalradian Series of Donegal, the Creeslough, Maas and Fintown successions, which have hitherto been regarded as stratigraphically distinct, are correlated. A standard terminology for this sequence is proposed and a detailed correlation is made with the Ballachulish Succession, which thus forms all the country around the Donegal Granites, northwest of the faults and thrusts which separate it from the Islay Succession.     

Untersuchungen mit der Elektronen-Mikrosonde an zonargebauten Mineralen der Pyromorphitgruppe

Zusammenfassung Natürliche Glieder der Pyromorphitgruppe wurden mit einer Elektronen-Mikrosonde untersucht. Bei allen untersuchten Proben tritt gegenseitige isomorphe Ersetzung des Phosphors, Arsens oder Vanadins auf. Die fast reinen Endglieder zeigen dabei einen ziemlich gleichmäßigen, geringfügigen Einbau der Nebenkomponente unabhängig vom optischen Zonarbau, während für die Mischglieder starke zonare Schwankungen in der chemischen Zusammensetzung in Abhängigkeit von den optisch erkennbaren Zonen typisch sind.In einem Falle wird zonar Blei isomorph durch Kalzium ersetzt. Der Chlorgehalt scheint von keiner der übrigen Komponenten abhängig zu sein und unterliegt nur z.T. zonaren Schwankungen. Zonarbau durch Farbänderungen und Einbau von Fremdpartikeln, fast nur bei den Mischgliedern zu finden, bedingt zumeist entsprechende zonare chemische Veränderungen der Phosphor-, Arsen- oder Vanadingehalte. Zonarbau infolge unterschiedlicher optischer Orientierung kann sowohl ohne chemische Zonen vorkommen (bei den Endgliedern), als auch mit gleichlaufenden Veränderungen der Komponenten bei den Mischgliedern.Zonarbau als Folge unterschiedlicher optischer Orientierung, Felderteilung und Zweiachsigkeit haben nach den vorliegenden Untersuchungen nicht isomorphen Ersatz als Ursache; Veränderungen der physikalischen Bedingungen während oder Sekundärvorgänge nach Beendigung des Wachstums der Kristalle könnten eine Rolle gespielt haben. In Frage kommt auch eine Abweichung von der hexagonalen Symmetrie; eine kürzlich von U. Keppler (Karlsruhe) durchgeführte Einkristall-Untersuchung einer Mimetesit-Zone ergab für diese eine monokline Symmetrie (im Druck).Das Auftreten von diffusen Reflexen oder Doppellinien in den Röntgendiagrammen der Mischglieder kann zwanglos durch die gegenläufigen Schwankungen der Phosphor-, Arsen- oder Vanadin-Gehalte gedeutet werden.

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Electron microprobe investigation of members of the pyromorphite group with zoned structure

Natural members of the pyromorphite group, pyromorphite Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl, mimetite Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl, kampylite Pb₅(PO₄, AsO₄)₃Cl, and vanadinite Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl were investigated by the electron microprobe method. Mutual isomorphic replacement of P, V and As was observed even in the purest available end members occurring in nature. The frequently appearing zoned structure, observed in thin sections, may or may not coincide with corresponding chemical changes with respect to the V, As or P contents, mainly for the intermediate members, while for the rather pure end members nearly no connection was found between optical zones and chemical composition (also as to the division of basal sections into six triangular areas).

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Den Herren Prof. Dr. F. Laves, Zürich, und Prof. Dr. H. Wondratschek, Karlsruhe, danken wir für die Ermöglichung dieser Arbeit und für das fördernde Interesse. Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft danken wir für die finanzielle Unterstützung dieser Arbeit durch eine Beihilfe.     

Crustal structure of the East African Rift zone

A review of seismological data on the crustal structure of the East African Rift zone is presented. The only refraction line is that along the Gregory Rift, which indicates a 7.5 km/sec refractor which is presumed to be the Moho. The bulk of data is provided by surface-wave dispersion studies. Some preliminary measurements of crustal and sub-Moho velocities using the University of Durham array at Kaptagat in Kenya are included.

There is now a growing body of evidence that the crust is generally of shield type over the whole rift zone. The exception is along the axis of the Gregory Rift, where a low-velocity Moho and some crustal modification is apparent. This is presumably the result of magma intrusions and suggests some crustal separation along this section of the rift. Sub-Moho velocities are probably normal outside the rifts themselves, though anomalously low upper-mantle velocities are to be associated with rifting. There is firm evidence for thinning of the lithosphere along the eastern branch of the rift. A cross-section of the Gregory Rift which is consistent with the current data is presented.     

Growth pattern and 13C12C isotope fractionation of Cyanidium caldarium and hot spring algal mats

A study was undertaken with the thermophilic green alga Cyanidium caldarium which grows optimally at low pH and high concentrations of CO₂. Carbon-isotope fractionation was not found to be a simple linear function of temperature. Maximum enrichment of ¹²C in cellular material occurred under optimum growth conditions (at approximately pH 2 and at temperatures between 40–50°C in a CO₂ atmosphere). A maximum measured fractionation of ?24‰ may account for low values ($\text{δ}{}^{13}\text{C}\text{< ?30‰}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>PDB</mtext>}}$) in Precambrian kerogen presumably derived from algal mats.     

Mass Spectrometric Isotope Dilution Analyses Of Barium in Geochemical Reference Samples

Twenty-four geochemical reference samples have been analysed far barium using the stable isotope dilution technique. These include five CRPG, ten ANRT, six Nimroc and two CCRMP samples together with the Tonalite from Tanzania, Duplicate analyses have been made in each case and our values for barium are believed to be accurate to approximately 3 %. In general, our results are in good agreement with the published data except for Nimroc samples where our data are consistently lower than the presently accepted values. No evidence of sample inhomogeneities was observed in the present work.     

Economic and environmental risks and uncertainty in frontier resource development: Case study of the Athabasca oil sands

Resource extraction projects in frontier regions may give rise to many problems concerning their economic viability and also their impact on the environment. The mining and processing activity in the oil sands of Alberta is a case in point. This area comprises one of the largest reservoirs of oil in the world. Long-run supply considerations in both Canada and the rest of the world should lead to further development of these oil sands. However, a review of the first two projects reveals considerable economic and environmental uncertainty. The economics of the project currently under way are questionable mainly because of inflated costs on one hand and uncertain future oil prices on the other. Controversy has developed over aspects of the land, water, and atmospheric environmental impacts of the projects partly because development proceeded before extensive studies were done. All these concerns have led to uncertainty concerning future projects and also the price the people of Alberta and Canada will pay, in economic and environmental terms, for development in this area.