Feldspar Albite Research Articles

Influence of interflow carbonate-clay association for groundwater fluoride contamination in eastern Deccan, central India.

In central India, fluoride contamination in deeper basaltic aquifer is geogenic. This study demonstrates the source of fluorine enrichment in aquifer matrix and its release mechanism into groundwater. Magmatic-hydrothermal residual melt, i.e., albitic-calcic-amphibole-apatite-rich intrusive rock is the main source of fluorine enrichment. The association of this rock with interflow carbonate-clay assemblage played a significant role for fluoride contamination. Fluorine-enriched residual melt interacted with interflow carbonate-clay association, and this interaction metasomatized the carbonates and enhanced fluorine concentration in sediments. Bulk fluorine concentration of 988ppm is measured in the soil developed over the association of intrusive rock and carbonate-clay assemblage. X-ray diffraction and electron-probe micro analysis confirmed the presence of fluorine-bearing and/or containing minerals, i.e., fluorite, fluorapatite, and palygorskite. The presence of bicarbonate and Na+ (from albitic feldspar) in alkaline water enhanced desorption of fluoride from clays, and dissociation from fluorapatite and fluorite from carbonate-clay assemblage, which released fluoride from aquifer matrix to groundwater. Clay horizon acts as an impervious cap on the deeper aquifer and increases the residence time of groundwater. In such favorable physico-chemical condition, fluoride released from aquifer matrix to groundwater and gradually increasing the degree of fluoride contamination.

Preparation and characterization of glass ceramics synthesized from lead slag and lead-zinc tailings

Using lead slag and lead-zinc tailings to prepare high-value glass-ceramic can realize the comprehensive utilization of solid waste and reduce the environmental pollution caused by lead slag landfill. Firstly, lead-zinc tailings and borax are used to melt and temper lead slag to improve its sintering performance. At 1450 °C, the lead slag melted and tempered by adding 40% lead-zinc tailings and 4% borax has good fluidity in the molten state. In water quenching, crystallization is not easy, and the water quenching slag has good sintering performance. Then, the water-quenched slag obtained by melting and tempering lead slag with lead-zinc tailings and borax was ball-milled and mixed with 10% albite feldspar and sintered at 1050 °C for 90 min to prepare glass ceramics. The prepared glass-ceramics have excellent performance parameters such as bulk density of 2.79 g/cm3, water absorption of 0.05%, the flexural strength of 102.18 MPa, acid resistance of 0.15%, and alkali resistance of 0.032%. Simultaneously, the glass ceramics exhibited excellent resistance to the leaching of heavy metals where the leaching concentrations of Pb, Zn, As, and Cd were 0.125, 1.268, 0.324, and 0.029 mg/L, respectively. This research can provide a new idea for comprehensively utilizing solid waste.

Using a neural network – Physics-based hybrid model to predict soil reaction fronts

Analytical and numerical solutions have been proposed to model reaction fronts to study soil formation. With growing access to large geo-datasets and powerful computational capacity, data-driven models are becoming increasingly useful. We therefore explored the use of a neural network (NN) guided by a physics-based model (PBM) to simulate the depth profile of feldspar dissolution in soils. Specifically, we explored this hybrid neural network (HNN) to see if it could predict reaction fronts as a function of important variables known from domain knowledge: site climate characteristics (temperature T; precipitation P), geomorphic parameters (soil residence time t; erosion rate E), and parent material mineralogy (quartz content Q; albitic feldspar content of the feldspar A). We evaluated the mean square error (MSE) for 63 HNNs, each using a different combination of training data (i.e., soil profiles) and environmental variables. The HNNs trained to four or five soil profiles that used a subset of t, T, Q, E, and A as predictor variables yielded lower MSEs than the PBM, and showed global convergence. At least two variables are needed to achieve an MSE within 1% of the corresponding PBM. The HNNs generally predicted the slope better than the depth of the front because the PBM was not used to predict depth. HNN results identify t and P as the most and least useful variable in predicting the reaction front, respectively. This is the first time a NN was hybridized to a PBM to simulate reactions in soils. As part of this effort, we developed a tool to identify cases which have converged to a global solution, and cases which present local solutions. The approach shows promise for future efforts but should be applied to larger sets of soil profile data and PBMs that predict both the depth and slope of reaction fronts.

Solubility product constants for natural dolomite (0–200 °C) through a groundwater-based approach using the USGS produced water database

The calculation of a reliable temperature dependent dolomite solubility product constant (K_sp−dol) has been the subject of much research over the last 70 years. This study evaluates log₁₀(^aCa²⁺/^aMg²⁺) values using PHREEQC (Pitzer approach) for a screened subset (n = 11,480) of formation waters in the U.S. Geological Survey National Produced Waters Geochemical Database V2 (PWGD), an extensive inventory of 165,960 formational waters from a range of sedimentary lithologies in North America up to 6.6 km depth (Blondes and others, 2016). Through extensive ground truthing against datasets sourced from Texas Gulf Coast basin and the Mississippi Salt Dome basin we establish both the geochemical data from the PWGD and a new geothermal model of the US that is used to determine temperatures at-formation-depth to be reliable data sources. The vast majority (90%) of PWGD samples have log₁₀(^aCa²⁺/^aMg²⁺)-temperature values that are interpreted to be indicative of calcite-dolomite equilibrium and buffering by the bulk mineral solubilities. Using statistical models with different parameterisations (different Maier-Kelly formulas, mixed-effects models with various random effects and linear models) log₁₀(^aCa²⁺/^aMg²⁺) values are regressed against the estimated at-formation-depth temperatures to determine K_sp−dol between 0 and 200 °C. This process relies on the well constrained calcite solubility product constant (K_sp−cal). Local effects that modify log₁₀(^aCa²⁺/^aMg²⁺) values are evaluated through the addition of random effects to the mixed model which both improves the statistical reliability of the K_sp−dol model and enables the determination of K_sp−dol values for local dolomite phases. The nature of these local effects is open to interpretation, but we suggest the primary influence on log₁₀(^aCa²⁺/^aMg²⁺) values is the stoichiometry of the dolomite phase systematically modifying log₁₀(^aCa²⁺/^aMg²⁺) values. We discount the influence on log₁₀(^aCa²⁺/^aMg²⁺) values of dolomite order, the solution ionic strength, equilibration with anhydrite and chlorite group minerals, illitization of smectite and albitization of feldspar. For the dolomite solubility equation; the mixed-effects model (model J23) chosen as most representative yields a pK_sp−dol (log₁₀K_sp−dol); We determine pK_sp°−dol to be −17.27 ± 0.35 (25 °C, 1 atm) which is close to prior estimates, including the most recent experimental value reported by Bénézeth and others, 2018 (pKs_p°−dol = −17.19 ± 0.3) validating the groundwater regression analysis approach of this study.

Electrical conductivity of metasomatized lithology in subcontinental lithosphere

AbstractA plausible origin of the seismically observed mid-lithospheric discontinuity (MLD) in the subcontinental lithosphere is mantle metasomatism. The metasomatized mantle is likely to stabilize hydrous phases such as amphiboles. The existing electrical conductivity data on amphiboles vary significantly. The electrical conductivity of hornblendite is much higher than that of tremolite. Thus, if hornblendite truly represents the amphibole varieties in MLD regions, then it is likely that amphibole will cause high electrical conductivity anomalies at MLD depths. However, this is inconsistent with the magnetotelluric observations across MLD depths. Hence, to better understand this discrepancy in electrical conductivity data of amphiboles and to evaluate whether MLD could be caused by metasomatism, we determined the electrical conductivity of a natural metasomatized rock sample. The metasomatized rock sample consists of ~87% diopside pyroxene, ~9% sodium-bearing tremolite amphibole, and ~3% albite feldspar. We collected the electrical conductivity data at ~3.0 GPa, i.e., the depth relevant to MLD. We also spanned a temperature range between 400 to 1000 K. We found that the electrical conductivity of this metasomatized rock sample increases with temperature. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity exhibits two distinct regimes. At low temperatures <700 K, the electrical conductivity is dominated by the conduction in the solid state. At temperatures >775 K, the conductivity increases, and it is likely to be dominated by the conduction of aqueous fluids due to partial dehydration. The main distinction between the current study and the prior studies on the electrical conductivity of amphiboles or amphibole-bearing rocks is the sodium (Na) content in amphiboles of the assemblage. Moreover, it is likely that the higher Na content in amphiboles leads to higher electrical conductivity. Pargasite and edenite amphiboles are the most common amphibole varieties in the metasomatized mantle, and our study on Na-bearing tremolite is the closest analog of these amphiboles. Comparison of the electrical conductivity results with the magnetotelluric observations constrains the amphibole abundance at MLD depths to <1.5%. Such a low-modal proportion of amphiboles could only reduce the seismic shear wave velocity by 0.4–0.5%, which is significantly lower than the observed velocity reduction of 2–6%. Thus, it might be challenging to explain both seismic and magnetotelluric observations at MLD simultaneously.

The electrical conductivity of albite feldspar: Implications for oceanic lower crustal sequences and subduction zones

Abstract Volatile-sensitive electrical soundings are becoming more widely adopted, with large nationwide arrays currently being acquired globally. This boom in new data is despite several key uncertainties relating to the electrical responses of a wide range of minerals that make up crustal regions. Complications include the influence of mineral chemistry, hydrous or nominally hydrous phases, and oxygen fugacity on charge-carrying ion activity within a mineral substrate. Feldspars are the most abundant mineral group in the Earth’s crust, comprising about 60% of its mineral assemblages and are particularly prevalent within subduction zones and lower crustal sequences. These areas are known locations where ore systems are commonly rooted, making them among the most widely studied regions in the Earth. To date, few studies exist that cover the electrical behavior of the feldspar mineral albite. To help address some of these issues and complications, we have undertaken electrical conductivity investigations on a single crystal of gem-quality albite (Ab49An48Or3) from Nuevo Casas Grande, Chihuahua, Mexico. Electrical conductivity measurements using impedance spectroscopy were performed at a pressure of 1 GPa over a temperature range of 373–1273 K in a multi-anvil high-pressure apparatus. Experiments were carried out using different metal electrodes: molybdenum, nickel, and rhenium to vary the oxygen fugacity during the experiments. FTIR measurements of the starting and final materials confirm that the initial samples are completely dry but absorb an average of 67 ppm H2O by mass during the experiments from the surrounding pressure medium materials. We observe no correlation in the amount of water absorbed in the feldspar to the oxygen fugacity under water-undersaturated conditions. Our investigations show that the activation enthalpy increases from ~0.77 to ~1.0 eV from the nominally hydrous to the completely dry feldspar. The activation enthalpy decreases with increasing oxygen fugacity for comparable water contents. An oxygen fugacity exponent of –0.069 is calculated at the nominal water content measured in the experiments, indicating an electrical conductivity mechanism that also involves the mobility of hydrogen.

THEORETICAL BASIS OF COMPATIBILITY OF COMPLETELY-FILLED MULTICOMPONENT BINDING SYSTEMS

Abstract. Aim. An important direction in contemporary concrete science is aimed at the development of multicomponent systems using mineral powder fillers in a finely dispersed state to create strong and durable building composites. One of the most significant factors affecting the properties of multicomponent systems is the compatibility of its components. Efforts on the part of leading scientific institutes are aimed at replacing expensive and energy-intensive Portland cement with composite concrete products produced using mixed binders. In this context, the development of modern effective composites based on clinkerless alkaline binders becomes an urgent problem. Methods. Studies into the compatibility of multicomponent cementing systems are based on a contemporary technological approach that contributes to the production of strong and durable cement stone, without the use of traditional Portland cement. Results. Electron probe studies and X-ray phase analysis of concrete produced using a clinker-free alkaline activation binder showed that the studied multicomponent system contains a hydro-aluminosilicate zeolite phase of variable composition, as well as indicating the presence of calcite, quartz, albite feldspar, mica, zeolites and potassium feldspar. Conclusion. The results of the studies confirm the compatibility of all components of the multicomponent system comprised of mineral powder, alkaline coater and surfactant. The proposed technological method can be used to produce strong and durable building composites with clinker-free technology avoiding the use of expensive and energy-intensive Portland cement. Acknowledgments. The work was performed as part of research on the implementation of scientific project No. 05.607.21.0320. “Development of technology for new building composites on clinker-free alkaline binders using substandard natural and secondary raw materials” which received support from the federal target program “Research and Development in Priority Directions for the Development of the Russian Science and Technology Complex for 2014-2020.” Unique identifier for the agreement RFMTFI60719X0320.

The introduction of celadon production in North China: Technological characteristics and diversity of the earliest wares

Celadon, technically a stoneware with a lime-rich glaze, had been produced in South China for more than two millennia before it was first made in the North in the second half of the sixth century. It appears to have been an immediate precursor to white porcelain, which was first produced by northern kilns. The compositions and microstructures of early northern celadons from kilns, residential sites and tombs in Shandong, Hebei and Henan provinces, and dated 550s-618 CE, have been determined by SEM-EDS. The majority of the vessels were made using a low-iron kaolinitic clay, with high alumina (20–29%), as anticipated for northern clays. A small number of celadon vessels from a kiln at Caocun, which produced mainly lead-glazed wares, have lower alumina contents and appear to have originated in the South. It seems possible that these imported vessels were being used by the potters as models on which Caocun wares were based. Consistent differences in major element composition are observed between the products of kilns at Anyang, Xing, Luoyang and Zhaili. Unlike southern celadon glazes, which were prepared as two-component mixtures of vegetal ash and body clay, the northern celadon glazes are three-component, and typically contained an additional siliceous component, probably loess. An exception is the glazes of the Xing celadons, which present no evidence for loess but which are rich in Na2O. The source of the soda is unclear, common salt and albitic feldspar are discussed as possibilities. Based upon micromorphological characteristics such as the relative size and abundance of remnant quartz and the extent of observable mullite, as well as the position of the glazes in the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 phase diagram, the Xing bodies are more mature and they appear to have been fired to higher temperatures than the products of other kilns. These results suggest that celadon technology was not directly transferred to the North from the South, but that the northern potters adopted their own strategies to make high-fired glazes. Furthermore, each kiln appears to have had its own preferred recipe, to suit the available raw materials. The products of Xing kiln were exceptional and it appears that here the trajectory towards white porcelain was already apparent, perhaps reflecting the creativity of the Xing potters who were among the first to make a successful white porcelain.

Cretaceous ultrapotassic magmatism from the Sava-Vardar Zone of the Balkans

Late Cretaceous global plate reorganization associated with the inception of counterclockwise rotation of Africa relative to Europe initiated in the Balkan region small-volume magmatism of diverse geochemical signature along the enigmatic Sava-Vardar Zone. We study a Late Cretaceous lamprophyric sill in Ripanj village near Belgrade to constrain this magmatic episode. The lamprophyre is characterized by high contents of Na, P, Fe and Al, and low contents of K, Ca and Mg. Its original nature (Na, K, Ca and Mg) is concealed by intense alteration (albitization of feldspar and partial chloritization of phlogopite) that erased the ultrapotassic affinity of the rocks and resulted in extremely low K/Na ratios. The recalculated chemical composition demonstrates that the rocks are ultrapotassic, with K2O and MgO >3 wt % and K2O/Na2O > 2, and belong to the durbachite-vaugnerite series, i. e., the plutonic equivalents of minettes and kersantites.Two phlogopite concentrates gave Ar–Ar ages of 86.80 ± 0.5 Ma and 86.90 ± 0.5 Ma. Our combined elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope data (87Sr/86Sr 0.70667–0.70677, 143Nd/144Nd 0.512426–0.512429, 206Pb/204Pb 18.82–19.13, 207Pb/204Pb 15.67–15.68, 208Pb/204Pb 38.92–39.19) for representative lamprophyric samples suggests magma derivation from a light rare earth elements (LREE) and K enriched, metasomatized mantle source. The content of LREE of the rocks is enriched, whereas heavy rare earth elements (HREE) is depleted. Rare earth elements (REE) of the whole rock and REE of diopside all indicate that garnet was present in their source.There are two viable and mutually-excluding geodynamic scenarios for the Late Cretaceous magmatism in the Balkans: (i) If the Sava-Vardar ocean still existed in the Late Cretaceous and was subducted under the European plate with arc volcanism along the Apuseni-Banat-Timok-Panagyurishte-Srednjogorje belt, coeval magmatism in the Sava-Vardar Zone occurred in a fore-arc setting, and may be related to ridge subduction; (ii) If the Mesozoic ocean closed already during the Upper Jurassic or Lower Cretaceous, the Late Cretaceous volcanism within the Sava-Vardar Zone represents intracontinental volcanism associated with transtensional tectonics.

Degradation of fracture porosity in sandstone by carbonate cement, Piceance Basin, Colorado, USA

Cretaceous Mesaverde Group sandstones contain opening-mode fractures lined or filled by quartz and, locally, calcite cement. Fracture occlusion by quartz is controlled primarily by fracture size, age and thermal history. Fracture occlusion by calcite is highly heterogeneous, with open and calcite-sealed fractures found at adjacent depths. In the Piceance and in other basins, processes that control the distribution of these calcite cements have been uncertain. Using pore and fracture cement petrography, fluid inclusions, and isotopic and elemental analysis, we show that host-rock calcite distribution and remobilization govern porosity degradation and occlusion of fractures >1 mm wide by calcite. Fluid-inclusion analyses indicate calcite cement precipitation at 135–165°C. 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of calcite and the presence of porous albite suggest that detrital feldspar albitization released Ca 2+ , driving carbonate cement precipitation. In host rock, both albite and calcite content decreases with depth along with greater fracture porosity preservation. Although the cement sequence Fe-dolomite → ankerite → calcite is widespread, Fe-dolomite and ankerite occur as host-rock cements only, with detrital dolomite as preferred precipitation substrate. We find that the rock-mass calcite cement content correlates with fracture degradation and occlusion, and can be used to accurately predict where wide fractures are sealed or open. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Naturally Fractured Reservoirs collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/naturally-fractured-reservoirs

Fracability evaluation of lacustrine shale by integrating brittleness and fracture toughness

Rock brittleness and fracture toughness are important parameters for evaluating rock fracability. The stress-strain curves indicate that the lacustrine shale is strongly brittle. Brittle failure occurs rapidly when the stress of the lacustrine shale reaches its peak value. In addition, the lacustrine shale has different plastic strains before and after peak stress; this can relax the stress concentration of the crack tips. Therefore, the plastic strain that occurs before and after the peak stress can cause decreasing brittleness, which can be used to distinguish the brittleness and fracability in the formation of the lacustrine shale clearly. Moreover, this further enlarges the difference in the brittleness index. Based on the influence of plastic strain on brittleness, we have developed a new brittleness evaluation method that uses the ratio of linear elastic strain energy to the total strain energy before complete rock failure, which can indicate the difference of the lacustrine shale clearly. Fracture toughness is another important parameter that impacts the fracture extension and influences fracability. Based on the impact of brittleness and fracture toughness on the fracability, we have developed a new fracability evaluation method. The brittleness index increases with increases in the quartz content, and it decreases with increases in the albite feldspar and calcite contents. The fracture toughness decreases with increases in the quartz and clay contents, and it increases with increases in the siderite content. In addition, we established an empirical formula that can evaluate the brittleness index and the fracture toughness using mineral contents obtained from elemental logging. Using the new fracability evaluation method to optimize the fracturing stage, the preliminary field test indicates that the new approach was effective in the lacustrine shale formation.

Meteoric Water and Salt-Dome-Related Diagenesis in Tertiary Turbidite Reservoirs from the EspÍrito Santo Basin, Brazil

Abstract Quantitative petrography and stable-isotope and fluid-inclusion analysis revealed that the diagenetic evolution of two Tertiary turbidite sandstone reservoirs from the offshore part of the Espirito Santo Basin, eastern Brazil, was influenced by the flow of meteoric water and salt-dome-related fluids, which had different impacts on their quality. Influx of meteoric water during early burial, in response to relative sea-level fall, resulted in extensive kaolinization and dissolution of framework silicate grains. Mesogenetic compactional fluids were progressively modified by the proximity of salt domes, which led to ubiquitous feldspar albitization and localized quartz, calcite, and saddle-dolomite precipitation. Fluid inclusions in quartz overgrowths indicate that the precipitating fluids had salinities predominantly in the range 8–13 wt% NaCl equivalent and temperatures largely in the 100–155°C range (higher than present-day formation temperatures—105° up to 115°C). The distribution of feldspar albitization suggests that the fracture systems along the margins of the salt domes acted as preferential pathways for such hot brines. However, the influence of the salt domes on the diagenetic processes of the reservoirs was relatively mild, despite their proximity, because pore-filling neoformed illite is absent, and occurrence of quartz cement is limited in the sandstones, which may be related to the late burial of the reservoirs and the intermittent behavior of the salt-dome-associated fracture systems as effective conduits for reactive fluids. We expect that this paper may contribute to the understanding and prediction of diagenesis and reservoir properties of turbidite sandstones influenced by meteoric and salt-dome-related fluids in offshore Espirito Santo Basin and in other similar areas.

Computerized geochemical modeling of burial diagenesis of the Eocene turbidite reservoir elements: Urucutuca Formation, Esp\xedrito Santo Basin, southeastern Brazil passive margin

The computerized geochemical modeling, a useful tool to understand the diagenetic processes influencing the quality of hydrocarbon reservoirs, is performed by using different modules of computer codes based on the thermodynamic and chemical kinetic principles and their associated parameters. As observed in the reservoir lithofacies deposited from the marine sediment-gravity flows, a case study of diagenesis is presented here from the Espírito Santo Basin in southeastern Brazil. The study uses the Geochemist’s Workbench (GWB™), PHREEQC™ and TOUGHREACT™ computation packages. The comparison of performances of these packages demonstrates the convergence of results from the software-based geochemical modeling with the petrographic observation of dissolution, albitization, kaolinization, and the precipitation of calcite and dolomite. Moreover, with limited data points, e.g., the sedimentary petrographic data acquired from limited number of boreholes, the computer simulation establishes itself to be a powerful quantitative method estimating the degree and type of diagenetic alteration of turbidite reservoir bodies in contact with a source of saline-water influx associated with salt tectonics. Therefore, using the limited petrographic data points, the geochemical computer-simulation method can even be utilized and extrapolated for areas where similar geological context is interpreted but no borehole data are available. Hence, porosity of turbidite reservoir lithofacies can be predicted in relation to the spatial distribution of dissolution, kaolinization, and albitization of feldspars and authigenic carbonate precipitation.

Chondrule porosity in the L4 chondrite Saratov: Dissolution, chemical transport, and fluid flow

Porosity is an important physical property of meteorites and asteroids that affects density, material strength, and thermal conductivity. Porosity can also promote chemical exchange by facilitating the transport of fluids and dissolved ions. We measured the porosity of individual chondrules from the L4 ordinary chondrite Saratov, using X-ray microtomography (μCT) and scanning electron microscopy, to examine the abundance and distribution of porosity in chondrules, and to understand how porosity relates to chemical exchange during parent body processes. Porosity was 1–2% by volume in the chondrules we measured and maximum pore sizes were ∼300 μm. Porosity distribution and morphology indicate that porosity is a secondary feature and most pores >1 μm were formed from the dissolution of chondrule mesostasis glass. Fe and K are preferentially enriched in phases adjacent to the most porous regions: Fe is enriched in pyroxene, and K is enriched in mesostasis where it is observed as either the silica alteration phase merrihueite, or fine-scale, K-feldspar exsolution in albitic feldspar. Some pores can be described as vugs, as they contain euhedral olivine and chromite, with textures indicating vapor deposition. Knowing the chondrule porosity, we estimate the matrix porosity in Saratov to be very high, 40–60%. We suggest that during prograde metamorphism, an aqueous fluid originating from the matrix dissolved chondrule mesostasis glass, producing the observed porosity, and introducing Fe into the pyroxene phenocrysts. Fluids were less abundant through peak metamorphism, and chondrule mesostasis glass crystallized to fine-grained albite. During retrograde metamorphism, high temperature, short duration bursts of a dry, alkali-bearing fluid from the asteroid interior infiltrated the pore network, formed the vug phases, altered silica to merrihueite, and introduced K to the secondary albite. Fine-scale K-feldspar then exsolved from albite during rapid cooling to the ambient temperature. Overall, development of porosity during metamorphism on the L chondrite parent body contributed to the chemical evolution of ordinary chondrite material, as well as affecting physical properties of the parent asteroid.

Fractured latest Devonian granites of the West Moose River pluton along the Cobequid Shear Zone, Nova Scotia: implications for regional mineralization

Latest Devonian (∼365–358 Ma) A-type granites in the Cobequid Highlands host complex sequences of rare-earth element (REE) and other hydrothermal minerals. The West Moose River pluton is the only pluton truncated and brittly deformed by the mid-Carboniferous (∼327 Ma) strike-slip Minas Fault Zone during the Alleghanian orogeny. Fractures in the granite provide a record of several deformational and hydrothermal events with distinct mineral assemblages. Early sodic alteration produced albitization of feldspar, and riebeckite and tourmaline veins. The δ18O of albite and albitized granite (5‰–6‰) is similar to other regional granites, suggesting a mantle source of albitizing fluids. Nearby halite deposits are younger and thus not a source of Na. Early chlorite veins were followed by potassic alteration and hydrothermal biotite, and by diabase and lamprophyre dyke emplacement. Euhedral magnetite occupies new cross-cutting fractures and vugs, correlated with regional iron oxide – carbonate – sulphide mineralization following initiation of the Minas Fault Zone. This change in stress field resulted in widespread fracturing of the granite, greatly increasing its permeability. Magnetite is postdated by titania minerals with hydrothermal REE minerals in dissolution voids. The spatial variation in REE mineral types indicates variable availability of F, Cl, and CO2 in mineralizing fluids derived from groundwater. REE mineralization is rare in veins in country rock, demonstrating local plutonic sources of REEs. The emplacement of REE minerals was complex in time and space and was a consequence of pervasive microfracturing of the granite.

On the composition of gastroliths from broiler breeders.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the composition and origin of certain gastroliths or gizzard stones from broiler breeders (Gallus gallus domesticus). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction techniques were used as analysis tools. The main components resulted to be organic fibre and minerals referred to a pegmatite rock (quartz, feldspar albite and haematite) used as grit. Although the generally accepted purpose of gastroliths in chicken is the crushing and grinding of foodstuff in the ventriculus, the importance of mineral uptake from grit of iron and other essential elements such as Al, Ca, K, Cl, P, Ti, Mn, Mg, Cu, Zn and Zr (in ppm) as a secondary effect of the abrasion and dissolution of gastroliths should not be disregarded.

Petrogenesis of Miller Range 07273, a new type of anomalous melt breccia: Implications for impact effects on the H chondrite asteroid

AbstractMiller Range 07273 is a chondritic melt breccia that contains clasts of equilibrated ordinary chondrite set in a fine‐grained (<5 μm), largely crystalline, igneous matrix. Data indicate that MIL was derived from the H chondrite parent asteroid, although it has an oxygen isotope composition that approaches but falls outside of the established H group. MIL also is distinctive in having low porosity, cone‐like shapes for coarse metal grains, unusual internal textures and compositions for coarse metal, a matrix composed chiefly of clinoenstatite and omphacitic pigeonite, and troilite veining most common in coarse olivine and orthopyroxene. These features can be explained by a model involving impact into a porous target that produced brief but intense heating at high pressure, a sudden pressure drop, and a slower drop in temperature. Olivine and orthopyroxene in chondrule clasts were the least melted and the most deformed, whereas matrix and troilite melted completely and crystallized to nearly strain‐free minerals. Coarse metal was largely but incompletely liquefied, and matrix silicates formed by the breakdown during melting of albitic feldspar and some olivine to form pyroxene at high pressure (>3 GPa, possibly to ~15–19 GPa) and temperature (>1350 °C, possibly to ≥2000 °C). The higher pressures and temperatures would have involved back‐reaction of high‐pressure polymorphs to pyroxene and olivine upon cooling. Silicates outside of melt matrix have compositions that were relatively unchanged owing to brief heating duration.

Majorite-olivine–high-Ca pyroxene assemblage in the shock-melt veins of Pervomaisky L6 chondrite

High-pressure minerals—majorite-pyrope garnet and jadeite—were found in the Pervomaisky L6 ordinary chondrite. Majorite-pyrope (79 mol% majorite) was observed within the fine-grained silicate matrix of a shock-melt vein (SMV), coexisting with olivine and high-Ca pyroxene. This is the first report of a garnet–olivine–high-Ca pyroxene assemblage that crystallized from the melt in the SMV matrix of meteorite. P-T conditions of the formation of the SMV matrix with olivine fragments are 13.5–15.0 GPa and 1750–2150 °C, the lowest parameters among all known majorite-bearing (H,L)-chondrites. The estimated conditions include the olivine/(olivine + ringwoodite) phase boundary and there is a possibility that observed olivine is the result of wadsleyite/ringwoodite back-transformation during a cooling and decompression stage. In the framework of this hypothesis, we discuss the problem of survival of the high-pressure phases at the post-shock stage in the meteorites and propose two possible P-T paths: (1) the high-pressure mineral is transformed to a low-pressure one during adiabatic decompression above the critical temperature of direct transformation; and (2) quenching below the critical temperature of direct transformation within the stability field of the high-pressure phase and further decompression. The aggregates with plagioclase composition (Ab 81.1 An 14.9 Or 4.1 ) occur in host-rock fragments near (or inside) of the SMV, and have a radial, concentric “spherulite-like” microstructure previously described in the Novosibirsk meteorite, and that is very similar to the texture of tissintite in the Tissint martian meteorite. It is likely that jadeite is related to crystallization of the SMV and could have formed from albitic feldspar (plagioclase) melt at 13.5–15.0 GPa and ~2000 °C.

Paleofluids circulation associated with the Gerês late-orogenic granitic massif, northern Portugal

The Hercynian late-orogenic granites from the Gerês massif, northern Portugal, underwent intense hydrothermal activity along tectonic structures striking N-S and NE-SW. The first hydrothermal stage is characterized by the albitization of feldspars (primary K-feldspar and plagioclase) followed by the dissolution of magmatic quartz, the chloritization of biotite, and the muscovitization of magmatic biotite and feldspars and occasionally of authigenic albite. Whole-rock geochemistry shows a decrease of SiO2, K2O and Rb and an increase of Na2O, Al2O3 and Sr amounts during the albitization. The second hydrothermal stage is characterized by a mineral assemblage consisting of secondary quartz, albite, chlorite, hematite, apatite, muscovite, epidote, sphene and carbonates, which infilled the cavities produced by the early quartz leaching.Mass balance calculations demonstrate a noticeable element mobilization during the granite alteration. The average ∑REE of the Gerês granite is nearly constant at 154ppm, but ranges from 91 to 163ppm in the altered rocks. A relative LREE depletion and a slight HREE enrichment associated with a negative Eu anomaly characterize the feldspathization process of Gerês granite. The average ∑REE of the Carris granite is at 159ppm but in the altered epidote+chlorite+hematite assemblage it reaches about 201ppm with a slight HREE increase.Two different fluids were involved in the hydrothermal alteration. A first aqueous fluid (Lw1), with a low to intermediate salinity (<10wt.% eq. NaCl) circulated along the main structures (N-S, NE-SW and NW-SE), characterized by entrapment temperature lower than 350°C and maximum pressure of 115MPa followed by a later colder and more saline fluid (Lw2) under a temperature of 220°C and a pressure of about 27MPa.Oxygen isotope data obtained on magmatic quartz indicate δ18Oquartz of+9.3 and+11.0‰, pointing to an interaction of magmatic fluids with others of meteoric origin. For the secondary quartz, δ18Owater of +0.5 and +0.7‰ were calculated for a temperature of 250°C, suggesting a meteoric fluid with a possible seawater signature.The K-Ar data of K-feldspar from the altered rocks confirm an age of 273.6±11.7 Ma, attributed to the first alteration process. Younger K-Ar ages between 155.8±6.7 Ma and 124±5.3 Ma were also obtained in the feldspathized rocks, confirming the late hydrothermal activity.Albitization and quartz dissolution of granitic rocks from the Gerês massif occurred at depths shallower than 5km, induced by the circulation of fluids along brittle structures, during the orogenic uplift and extensional tectonics which affected the Iberian Massif in the Early Permian. A second major event is attributed to late hydrothermal circulations of aqueous brines until a depth of about 3km, presumably derived from interaction with sub-surface evaporites throughout Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. These late hydrothermal events probably reflect the rifting episodes and the rising of geothermal gradient, associated with the opening of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Biscay, respectively.

Diagenesis, plagioclase dissolution and preservation of porosity in Eocene and Oligocene sandstones at the Greeley oil field, southern San Joaquin basin, California, USA

Abstract The Vedder (Oligocene) and Kreyenhagen (Eocene) sandstones at the Greeley oil field consist of arkosic to subarkosic arenites and wackes deposited in shallow marine environments. Burial depths of the Vedder sandstones exceed 3150 m and the reservoir temperature is 124°C. The Kreyenhagen sandstones are buried to greater than 3920 m and the reservoir temperature is estimated to be c. 135°C. These sandstones are currently at or very near their deepest burial depths. The textural relationships of the diagenetic minerals suggest syndepositional formation of glauconite, phosphate and pyrite, followed by early precipitation of pore-lining clay coatings and carbonate cements along with framework-grain fracturing and possibly dissolution. With increasing burial, dissolution of the framework grains continued, accompanied by the albitization of feldspars, the formation of K-feldspar and quartz overgrowths, the precipitation of kaolinite and other clays and possibly the precipitation of late carbonate cements. Finally, hydrocarbon migration and the formation of pyrite occurred during late diagenesis. Porosity preservation and reservoir quality are primarily the result of plagioclase dissolution occurring as the strata approached their current burial depths. Mass balance calculations indicate the significant export of aluminium out of the sands. Thus secondary porosity produced by plagioclase dissolution has replaced the primary porosity destroyed by compaction, and now accounts for the majority of the porosity in these rocks.