Galvanic interactions between galena–sphalerite and their reactivity

The galvanic effect between the main associated mineralogical phases in a mineral sphalerite concentrate was evaluated using an alternative methodology. Comparative voltammetric studies were performed between high purity galena mineral (94.65%) and sphalerite concentrate (content of 78.11% sphalerite, ZnS; 13.64% galena, PbS; 0.57% chalcopyrite, CuFeS₂; 0.41% cadmium sulfide, CdS; and 0.11% arsenopyrite, FeAsS) using carbon paste electrodes (CPE) in order to identify galvanic interactions that affect their reactivity. The electrolyte was an aqueous solution of 0.1 M NaNO₃ (pH 6.5). The results showed that, in sphalerite concentrate, the electrochemical reactivity of the galena was diminished and displaced to more positive potentials with respect to the high purity galena mineral response. This behavior can be attributed to the galvanic protection offered by the sphalerite on the galena, thereby avoiding its free oxidation. On the other hand, sphalerite oxidation was diminished by the formation of a passive products film that is dissolved to more positive potentials which provokes oxidation of other minerals like CuFeS₂, (Zn,Cd)S and FeAsS present in a minor proportion in the sphalerite concentrate.     

Using magnetic susceptibility to find Precambrian impact ejecta: A proposal

Layers with high magnetic susceptibility contain heavy minerals that are the most likely to preserve signatures of impact in metamorphosed Precambrian rocks. The following impact indicators are resistant to alteration and metamorphism and are likely to be found in heavy mineral layers: impact diamond, SiC, shocked zircon, high-pressure TiO₂ phases, reidite, and high-pressure chromite. Coesite and stishovite could also be present but are not likely to be preserved in rocks metamorphosed above the greenschist facies. Looking for layers with high magnetic susceptibility will also identify layers that might contain concentrations of zircon for dating.     

North-south transfer zones and paleo-morphological reconstruction of the Xylokastro area (Corinth Gulf, Greece)

A large number of studies have documented the structural and sedimentary architecture of the Corinth Gulf, especially the major E–W trending normal faults important in accommodating the main extensional strain and associated growth of the Gilbert fan deltas. However, the role of several N–S oriented structures that crop out at the surface and are detectable at depth by seismic reflection and gravity surveys are not clearly understood. Based on new geological data, collected near Xylokastro, we describe the N–S oriented tectonic activity of this area. The mapped inland faults correspond to off-shore structures identified in re-interpreted seismic lines and appear to have acted as a major transfer zone during the opening of the Corinth Gulf. Reconstruction of the paleo-topography based on sedimentary facies and the environment of clay mineral formation suggest these transfer zones played an important role in controlling both local structural relief and depositional conditions of the Gilbert fan deltas.     

Heavy clastic minerals from the Far East island-arc complexes

The results of the study of heavy clastic minerals from the Cretaceous-Paleogene terrigenous complexes of Sikhote-Alin and Kamchatka, as well as from the Cenozoic sediments of the deepwater Vanuatu Trench, are summarized. The data obtained have been interpreted on the basis of their comparison with heavy mineral assemblages of recent sediments deposited in known geodynamic settings. It is shown that the heavy clastic minerals of sedimentary rocks, their relative quantities, and chemical compositions may serve as reliable indicators of different island-arc settings and magmatic processes; these indicators may also be used for identification of such settings in paleobasins of orogenic regions.     

A comparative mineralogical and geochemical study of sulfide mine tailings at two sites in New Mexico, USA

A comparative study of sulfide mine tailings from two sites near Silver City in southwest New Mexico has shown the need for environmental monitoring in a geological context. The Cyprus-Piños Altos and Cleveland deposits consist of Cu and Zn skarn mineralization in the Piños Altos Mountains of New Mexico. Primary ore minerals in both deposits include chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena. The Cyprus-Piños Altos Mine ceased operation in 1995 and the Cleveland Mill closed in 1950. The deposits have similar mineralogical characteristics; however, the tailings are different in terms of age, degree of oxidation and method of disposal. The Cyprus-Piños Altos tailings (CPAT) are stored in a lined, bermed impoundment. They are dominantly water-saturated and exhibit no secondary-phase formation. The grains are not cemented and show no evidence of primary-mineral dissolution. The geochemical data show a predominantly primary signature. The tailings pond water is neutral to slightly alkaline (pH?from 7 to 8.3), partly as a result of processing methods. The Cleveland mill tailings (CMT) were deposited in a valley at the headwaters of an ephemeral stream. They are highly oxidized and differentially cemented. They have undergone numerous wet/dry cycles resulting in extensive oxidation. Secondary minerals predominate, and consist mainly of jarosite, goethite, hematite, and Fe-oxyhydroxides and -oxyhydroxysulfates. The pH of the stream draining the CMT is as high as 2.15. Maximum metal contents in the stream immediately downstream from the tailings are 5305?ppm Zn, 454?ppm Cu, 1.16?ppm Pb, 17.5?ppm Cd, 1.4?ppm As, and 0.01?ppm Hg.     

Mineral magnetic and physical properties of surficial sediments and onshore samples from the southern basin of Lake Baikal, Siberia

Results of lithostratigraphic and mineral magnetic analysis of two surficial sediment cores (21 cm and 45 cm in length) collected from the Southern basin of Lake Baikal at a water depth of 1390 m, are presented. The sediments have been measured for a wide range of mineral magnetic parameters in order to assess their value in the identification of turbidite layers. Particle size and geochemical data are also presented and these explain some of the down core variations in magnetic mineralogy. It is suggested that changes in the particle size frequency distributions down core may be related to fossil diatom shells. One of the cores has been dated using ²¹⁰Pb. The sediment cores were cross-correlated using low frequency magnetic susceptibility (f) and these cores can also be correlated with a nearby core collected earlier in 1992. Changes in the magnetic parameters of lf, IRMs and HIRM₂₁₀ suggest that there are significant changes in the concentration of ferrimagnetic minerals in the sediment cores, indicating changing sediment sources and/or increasing concentrations of spheroidal carbonaceous particles and the dissolution of minerals through reduction below the oxidised layer within the sediment core.     

地壳浅部导电性矿物的一种新的压溶机制：应力原电池过程

以黄铁矿为例,通过导电性矿物的力学-电化学相互作用实验,得出：导电性矿物的电极电位与弹性轴压应力是较好的负线性相关关系。以此为基础,通过电化学理论分析,得出：地壳浅部与溶液接触的导电性矿物颗粒内部存在各种各样的应力原电池,通过应力原电池过程,压溶作用得以实现。导电性矿物应力原电池引起压涛作用的发现,无疑对诸如构造地球化学、地电化学甚至湿法冶金等领域的有关研究具有重要意义。     

Oxygen isotope fractionation in mantle minerals

The increment method is adopted to calculate oxygen isotope fractionation factors for mantle minerals, particularly for the polymorphic phases of MgSiO₃ and Mg₂SiO₄. The results predict the following sequence of¹⁸O-enrichment:pyroxene (Mg, Fe, Ca)₂Si₂O₆>olivine (Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄ > spinel (Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄> ilmenite (Mg, Fe, Ca) SiO₃>perovskite (Mg, Fe, Ca) SiO₃. The calculated fractionations for the calcite-perovskite (CaTiO₃) System are in excellent agreement with the experimental calibrations. If there would be complete isotopic equilibration in the mantle, the spinel-structured silicates in the transition zone are predicted to be enriched in¹⁸O relative to the perovskite-structured silicates in the lower mantle but depleted in¹⁸O relative to olivines and pyroxenes in the upper mantle. The oxygen isotope layering of the mantle might result from differences in the chemical composition and crystal structure of mineral phases at different mantle depths. Assuming isotopic equilibrium on a whole earth scale, the chemical structure of the Earth’s interior can be described by the following sequence of¹⁸O-enrichment:upper crust>lower crust>upper mantle>transition zone>lower mantle>core. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.     

浅论马鞍山地区的膨胀土

膨胀土由于粘土矿物含量较多,在一定气候条件下其体积随含水量的增加而膨胀,随含水一的减少而收缩,以膨胀土为地基的低层建筑物常常成群开裂,笔者首次报道了马鞍山地区的膨胀土,并对该区膨胀土的分布,成因,评价方法和防治措施等提出了初步看法。     

河流泥沙输移过程中矿物风化的碳汇效应初探——以长江干流为例

本文首先提出了河流泥沙输移过程中泥沙中的钙镁矿物溶蚀消耗水体中的CO2并具有碳汇功能的观点。基于前人长江干流从源头到入海口和支流2003~2007年期间4次河流悬移质泥沙的化学元素组成和矿物组成资料,分析悬移质中CaO、MgO含量和方解石、白云石含量变化特征,定量计算了这些取样点悬移质泥沙的CO2总碳汇能力和非永久性、永久性碳汇能力,分析了不同碳汇能力沿程变化规律及其原因。碳汇计算结果表明：寸滩—大通河段1956~2000年期间泥沙输移过程中钙镁矿物溶蚀产生的总碳汇量、非永久性和永久性碳汇量分别为2572万t/a、1700万t/a和872万t/a。由于输沙量减少,寸滩站—大通站河段的总碳汇量、非永久性和永久性碳汇量2006~2019年期间较1956~2000年期间相应分别减少了1852万t、1224万t和872万t。三峡水库年均淤积量1. 145亿t,损失总碳汇量675. 6万t,相当于三峡电站减排二氧化碳8580万t的7. 9%。全球河流入海年输沙量126. 1亿t,以寸滩- 吴淞口河段碳汇功能0. 060 t/t计,总碳汇量7. 57亿t相当于全球岩石风化碳汇总量10. 56亿t CO2的71. 6%。河流泥沙输移过程中钙镁矿物溶蚀的碳汇量具有重要的作用,其溶蚀速率大于原地风化。