Rare Earth and High Field‐Strength Elements in the Multani Mitti Clay: A Study Using INAA |
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Authors: | Shahida Waheed Naila Siddique Yasir Faiz |
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Affiliation: | Chemistry Division, Directorate of Science, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), , P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, 45650 Pakistan |
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Abstract: | Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to determine nine rare earth elements (REE), Sc and five high field‐strength elements (HFSE) in the Multani Mitti (MM) clay. Chondrite‐normalised rare earth element patterns for the MM clay compared with those for the Post‐Archaean Australian Shale (PAAS), Upper Continental Crust (UCC) and North American Shale Composite (NASC) showed enrichment of light REEs and depletion of heavy REEs with a slight negative Eu anomaly. The Multani Mitti clay showed close resemblance to PAAS and NASC in its average REE and HFSE contents. Positive correlations between La/Ce, La/Sm, La/Yb, Zr/Hf, Th/U and Th/Ta ratios predict enrichment of LREEs, Zr and Th and depletion of HREEs. A parent source of felsic origin for the MM clay is also endorsed through the high La/Th and low Th/Sc ratios observed. |
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Keywords: | chondrite Multani Mitti clay instrumental neutron activation analysis high field‐strength elements rare earth elements chondrites Multani Mitti argile analyse par activation neutronique elé ments à fort potentiel ionique terres rares |
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