Apatite Mine Research Articles

Stabilization of As and Sb in contaminated acidic shooting range soil with apatite mine tailings: challenge of co-contamination

Stabilization of As and Sb in contaminated acidic shooting range soil with apatite mine tailings: challenge of co-contamination

Assessment of NORMs (238U, 232Th, 40K) and radiation hazard indices in Beldih apatite mine region of Purulia district, West Bengal, India.

The radiation arising from naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) is the foremost contributor to the collective dose received by the global population. The present study aims to measure the natural background radiation level and the associated gamma radiation dose in air in the Beldih apatite mine region of Purulia district, India. This study is primarily focused on the determination of 238U, 232Th and 40K activities in the sub-surface soil of the study area. The measurements were carried out using a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector-based gamma-ray spectrometer with a relative efficiency of 80%. To achieve uniformity in exposure estimations, radium equivalent activity has been calculated. Additionally, the internal hazard index, external hazard index, radioactivity level index and gamma dose rates have been evaluated to estimate the radiation hazard levels in the study area. The comparison of obtained concentrations and hazard indices with global data (UNSCEAR. (2008). Sources, effects and risks of ionizing radiation. United nations scientific committee on the effects of atomic radiation (report to the general assembly, with Annexes).) suggests that this region lies in a relatively high background radiation zone.

Removal of REE and Th from solution by co-precipitation with Pb-phosphates

The supply of technologically important rare earth elements (REE) is a concern in Europe, hence the recovery of REE from alternative sources has recently become widely investigated. One of the problems is the lack of cost-effective technologies for REE recovery from leaching solutions. The present work investigated the potential for recovering REE and Th from leaching solutions by co-precipitation with Pb phosphates. A set of four experiments were conducted using analytical reagent grade chemicals to analyze the effects of Pb and different pH on the efficiency of REE and Th removal from aqueous solutions. After selecting the best conditions, two additional experiments were performed using solutions obtained from leaching REE-rich apatite mine waste.The precipitates resulting from the experiments as well as the solutions before and after precipitation were analyzed. It was found that the formation of a crystalline mixture of REE- and Th- enriched pyromorphite, Pb5(PO4)3Cl, and Pb-phosphates, about which little has been known so far, was responsible for complete (>99%) removal of REE and Th from aqueous solutions at pH 4 and 6. At lower pH, the removal is incomplete except for Sc and Th, which probably form a distinct phases. Besides that, no fractionation of LREE and HREE was observed. The experiments included the study of solutions resulting from the leaching of REE-rich apatite waste, which may contribute to the development of new technologies for REE recovery from wastes.

Факторы изменения сейсмического режима и локализации опасных зон при крупномасштабном техногенном воздействии

Large-scale mining operations over 90 years at the Khibiny apatite-nepheline deposits that are characterized with the conspicuous gravity-tectonic type of the stress-strain state have transformed the initial stress field of the rock massif, which has led to the recurrent occurrence of rockbursts. This problem retains its relevance due to constant increasing intensity of mining operations at the apatite mines during the last two decades and complicated mining, geological and geomechanical conditions. Accordingly, the dynamic rock pressure is increasing. We have retrospectively analyzed data on the manifestations of geodynamic events in the Khibiny rockburst-hazardous deposits and determined a set of factors that influence the changes in seismic behavior and localization of hazardous zones in complicated mining and engineering systems. We have systematized the data of long-term observations on dynamic rock pressure manifestations at the Khibiny apatite mines, taking into account the seismicity parameters, the scale of mine damage, the mining-induced stress fields, and geological and geomechanical features of the rock massif at specific time points. A structural scheme has been developed and ranking of factors has been carried out, considering the time of impact on the rock massif.

Undermined Rock Failure in Apatite Mines in Khibiny: Topical Problems

Undermined Rock Failure in Apatite Mines in Khibiny: Topical Problems

Integrated Geological and Geophysical Mapping of a Carbonatite-Hosting Outcrop in Siilinjärvi, Finland, Using Unmanned Aerial Systems

Mapping geological outcrops is a crucial part of mineral exploration, mine planning and ore extraction. With the advent of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) for rapid spatial and spectral mapping, opportunities arise in fields where traditional ground-based approaches are established and trusted, but fail to cover sufficient area or compromise personal safety. Multi-sensor UAS are a technology that change geoscientific research, but they are still not routinely used for geological mapping in exploration and mining due to lack of trust in their added value and missing expertise and guidance in the selection and combination of drones and sensors. To address these limitations and highlight the potential of using UAS in exploration settings, we present an UAS multi-sensor mapping approach based on the integration of drone-borne photography, multi- and hyperspectral imaging and magnetics. Data are processed with conventional methods as well as innovative machine learning algorithms and validated by geological field mapping, yielding a comprehensive and geologically interpretable product. As a case study, we chose the northern extension of the Siilinjärvi apatite mine in Finland, in a brownfield exploration setting with plenty of ground truth data available and a survey area that is partly covered by vegetation. We conducted rapid UAS surveys from which we created a multi-layered data set to investigate properties of the ore-bearing carbonatite-glimmerite body. Our resulting geologic map discriminates between the principal lithologic units and distinguishes ore-bearing from waste rocks. Structural orientations and lithological units are deduced based on high-resolution, hyperspectral image-enhanced point clouds. UAS-based magnetic data allow an insight into their subsurface geometry through modeling based on magnetic interpretation. We validate our results via ground survey including rock specimen sampling, geochemical and mineralogical analysis and spectroscopic point measurements. We are convinced that the presented non-invasive, data-driven mapping approach can complement traditional workflows in mineral exploration as a flexible tool. Mapping products based on UAS data increase efficiency and maximize safety of the resource extraction process, and reduce expenses and incidental wastes.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ОБЩЕЙ И ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОЙ ПАТОЛОГИИ ВОДИТЕЛЕЙ КАРЬЕРНЫХ САМОСВАЛОВ АПАТИТОВЫХ РУДНИКОВ В АРКТИКЕ

Drivers of mining dump trucks are a group of highly qualified specialists whose training requires considerable time and financial costs. We investigate the working conditions, general and occupational pathology of the dump truck drivers of the open apatite mines in the Arctic. We carried out the analysis of working conditions and health status of 475 dump truck drivers and 534 miners of other occupations of open apatite mines, as well as the information on the occupational pathology of that workers group in 2007–2017. It has been established that the typical feature of health disorders in the dump truck drivers is the frequent development of obesity (22.9 % of workers), and occupational pathology which is in most cases due to imperfect technological processes (67.3 %), leading to an increased severity of labor and exposure to whole-body vibration. The most prevalent occupational diseases of drivers are vibration disease (36.5 %), radiculopathy (25.8 %) and mono-polyneuropathy (20.1 %). The risk of occupational pathology among truckers is higher than that one for miners of other specialties: RR = 1.35; DI 1.04-1.74. Measures aimed at health preservation of dump truck drivers should include the correction of food and work regimes, the improvement of technological processes during the transportation of ore raw materials targeted at reducing the severity of labor and harmful effects of whole-body vibration.

Mechanical Activation on Phosphogypsum: Hydrosodalite System

The application of phosphogypsum in the production of binding materials is problematic because of phosphate, fluorine and other soluble impurities. These impurities influence the strength development of binding materials and during operating time can be released (efflorescence) from binding materials’ products. For these reasons, it is important to neutralize the above-mentioned impurities. The objective of the work was to investigate the neutralization process of the acid impurities of hemihydrate phosphogypsum (obtained from Kovdor apatite mine) with zeolite hydrosodalite. Mechanical activation together with the neutralizing zeolite additive was used in this research. Mechanical activation was carried out in a ball mill. Two types of samples were formed: one type with non-milled mixtures and the second type with milled mixtures. The additive of 0, 3, 5, and 10% of hydrosodalite was chosen. This paper describes the process of adsorbing of hazardous phosphate impurities by hydrosodalite. The compressive strength of phosphogypsum specimens with hydrosodalite additives subjected to mechanical treatment was higher as compared to the specimens without mechanical activation and additive of hydrosodalite. In this case pH values of milled mixture with hydrosodalite become neutral for these samples. It was determined that the mixture of phosphogypsum with hydrosodalite under mechanical treatment is an effective additive for neutralizing the acidic phosphogypsum medium.

Geodynamic risk magnitude as an objective indicator of rockburst prevention effectiveness (in terms of apatite mines in Khibiny)

The results of the statistical retrospective analysis of the officially recorded geodynamic events in mines of Apatit Company within the Khibiny Massif are presented. The risks and aftereffects of geodynamic events have been calculated. Under discussion are the results of three calculation variants taking into account the scale of human impact on rock mass. The analysis shows that the main damage due to geodynamic events is different-degree destruction of mine workings while the remaining aftereffects account for less than ten percent. That is, the geodynamic risk in apatite mines can be identified as technological.

Rock burst hazard assessment of apatite mines on Kola Peninsula by means of local acoustic emission method

Various acoustic emission (AE) parameters are used to characterize fracture process in rocks. The conventional statistical values are, for example, AE activity, b-factor, and distribution of energy. In order to map AE events the location analysis is used. There are also of interest in seismic analysis such kinematic parameters as corner frequency, seismic moment. To describe spatial pattern of hypocenter distribution a so called correlation integral is applied. In this work we apply spectral-correlation analysis to quantify each AE waveform with energy-correlation values. To study the behavior of spectral parameters during fracturing we carried out a series of AE measurements in the areas of extreme mining pressure in the PhosAgro apatite mines. For data acquisition purpose we use a device Prognoz-L which has been developed in the Mining Institute of Khabarovsk, Russia, for local stress monitoring.

Landstreamer seismics and physical property measurements in the Siilinjärvi open-pit apatite (phosphate) mine, central Finland

We tested the applicability of a newly developed broadband (0–800 Hz) digital-based seismic landstreamer for open-pit mine planning in the apatite-bearing Siilinjärvi mine in central Finland. Four seismic profiles, in total approximately 2.5 km long (2–4 m source and landstreamer receiver spacing), two inside the pit and two on its margins, were acquired in combination with wireless recorders connected to 10 Hz geophones and fixed at every 10 m spacing along the seismic profiles while the streamer data were being acquired. Downhole logging and laboratory physical property measurements on core and rock samples were carried out to not only support the seismic interpretations but also to provide information about the possible geophysical signature of these unique types of deposits. In spite of a highly noisy mining environment, seismic data of high quality were acquired; however, reflection processing and interpretations were challenged by the geologic complexities of several generations of basic and carbonatite dikes. To complement the reflection data imaging and to account for the steep elevation changes and crookedness of some of the seismic profiles, 3D first-arrival traveltime tomography and 3D swath reflection imaging were also carried out. Clear refracted arrivals from the open-pit profiles suggest the possibility of low-velocity zones associated with either blasting or several shear zones intersecting the seismic profiles. In terms of reflectivity, reflections have a different appearance from short and flat to longer and steep ones. The downhole- and borehole logging data suggest that some of these reflections are associated with diabase dikes and some are likely from zones of weaknesses in the alkaline-carbonatite complex. We determine the potential of using seismic streamers for cost- and time-effective open-pit mine planning and encourage further testing in simpler geologic settings to be established.

Factors Controlling the Migration of Tailings-Derived Arsenic: A Case Study at the Yara Siilinjärvi Site

The behaviour of arsenic (As) derived from tailings was investigated at the Yara Siilinjarvi apatite mine and industrial site in eastern Finland. The study assessed factors influencing the migration and fate of As and compared the anthropogenic As load to the natural geogenic background. Environmental risks related to As were assessed by examining the As concentrations in humus, glacial till, aquatic sediments, groundwater, and surface water. The occurrence and fractionation of As and the presence of secondary precipitates and geochemical transformations in the tailings and in the ambient soil and sediment were evaluated by selective extraction. The water-derived emissions were evaluated by field measurements, hydrogeochemical analysis, and modelling. Results indicate elevated environmental risks due to dust and seepage emissions from the tailings since the concentrations and mobility of As and other potentially harmful elements (PHEs) such as Co, Ni, and Zn were elevated relative to the geogenic background. These elements were mainly associated with Fe (oxy)hydroxides in the soil and their mobility was closely linked to Fe biogeochemistry. Additionally, although the concentrations of As and PHEs were high in the tailings pond and seepage water, they decreased in ambient groundwater and surface water, indicating Fe (oxy)hydroxide stability. This was supported by hydrogeochemical modelling, which indicated precipitation of Fe oxides and hydroxides. According to speciation modelling, As was present mainly as toxic trivalent arsenious acid (H3AsO3) in groundwater and as the less toxic pentavalent As acid (H2AsO4 − and HAsO4 2−) in surface water.

Correlation of VLF-EM Data with Radiometric Measurements: Implications for Uranium Exploration around Beldih, South Purulia Shear Zone, India

This study is an attempt to correlate VLF-EM data with the radiometric measurements to decipher the subsurface structure and to locate uranium mineralization in the shear zone. The study area is around Beldih mine which is an open cast apatite mine located on the South Purulia Shear Zone. VLF method has been applied to map the structure and the presence of radioactive minerals has been delineated by the detection of highαandγcounts with respect to the background radiations. High radiation counts and high surfaceγactivity are found just above the higher apparent current-density zones in all the profiles studied, at various locations, indicating uranium and/or thorium mineralization as well as good correlation between these techniques.

북한 광물자원 부존 및 개발현황 개요

북한의 광물자원 부존량 및 생산 현황을 종합하면, 북한에서 부존규모가 큰 주요 광물종은 마그네사이트, 석회석, 석탄(무연탄), 인상흑연, 철, 금, 은, 연, 아연 등으로 판단된다. 기타 동, 몰리브덴, 중석, 인광석 등이 잠재성이 큰 광물자원으로 평가된다. 북한의 광물자원 수출 대상국은 중국으로서 주요 수출 광물로는 무연탄, 철광석이 75%로서 압도적으로 우세하다. 수출국은 중국 외 EU국가이나, 중국 수출이 70%에 달한다. 북한은 금 매장량 약 2,000톤과 연간 생산량은 약 2 톤(금속기준)이며, 대표적 광산은 수안, 홀동, 대유동광산이며, 6개 금 제련소가 운영 중이다. 철 매장량은 Fe 63.5% 기준으로 약 43억 톤, 연간 생산량은 약 5백만 톤, 주요 철광산은 무산, 리원, 북청, 은율, 신원, 재령광산이며, 7개 제철소 및 제강소가 운영 중이다. 연-아연 매장량은 금속 기준으로 연이 약 4.7백만 톤, 아연이 15백만 톤, 연간 생산량은 금속 기준 연이 약 26,000 톤, 아연이 금속 기준 50,000 톤이다. 주요 연-아연 광산은 검덕, 은파, 성천광산이며, 6개 제련소가 운영 중이다. 마그네사이트 매장량은 MgO 95% 기준으로 약 28억 톤, 최근 연간 생산량이 정광 기준 150,000 톤, 주요 광산은 룡양, 대흥, 쌍룡광산이며, 5개 마그네슘 내화물공장이 가행중이다. 인회석 매장량은 <TEX>$P_2O_5$</TEX> 30% 기준으로 약 3.4억 톤, 최근 연간 생산량은 원광석 기준 약 300,000 톤, 주요 광산은 대대리, 동암, 풍년광산이다. 석탄은 북한에서 중요한 전략 연료광물자원으로 인식되고 있으며, 주 에너지원이다. 석탄 매장량은 186억 톤, 연간 생산량은 2천만 톤이다. 주요 석탄광산은 평남에 집중되고 있으며, 직동광산이 북한에서 가장 큰 석탄광산이다. The potential mineral resources in North Korea are magnesite, limestone, coal, graphite, iron, gold, silver, lead, and zinc. North Korea is mainly exporting coal and iron to China(70%) and EU countries. Gold ore reserves(or resources) in North Korea are about 2,000 tons and annual production is 2 tons based on metal. Major gold mines are Sooan, Holdong, and Daeyoodong mines and six smelters are operating. Fe ore reserves (or resources) are 4.3 billion tons and annual production is about 5 million tons based on 63.5% Fe. Major iron mines are Moosan, Leewon, Eunryul, Shinwon, and Jaeryong and 7 smelters are operating. Pb and Zn ore reserves(or resources) are Pb 470,000 tons and Zn 15 million tons, and annual productions are about Pb 26,000 tons and Zn 50,000 tons based on metal respectively. Major Pb-Zn mines are Gumdock and Seongcheon mines. Magnesite ore reserves(or resources) are 2.8 billion tons (95% MgO) and annual production is about 150,000 tons. Major magnesite mines are Ryongyang, Daeheung Youth and Ssangryong mines, and 5 magnesium refractory factories are operating. Apatite ore reserves(or resources) are 340 million tons(30% <TEX>$P_2O_5$</TEX>) and annual production is about 300,000 tons(crude ore). Major apatite mines are Daedaeri, Dongam and Poongnyen mines. Coal is established as an important strategic fuel mineral resources and is a major energy source in North Korea. Coal ore reserves(or resources) are 18.6 billion tons and annual production is about 20 million tons. The main coal fields is located in southern Pyongan and the Jigdong mine is the biggest in North Korea.

Stronadelphite, Sr5(PO4)3F, a new apatite-group mineral

The new apatite-group mineral stronadelphite was found in the Belovitovoye peralkaline pegmatite at the Kirovskii apatite mine, Mt. Kukisvumchorr, Khibiny alkaline complex, Kola peninsula, Russia. Associated minerals are natrolite, microcline, aegirine, pectolite, lamprophyllite, belovite-(Ce), belovite-(La), gaidonnayite, nenadkevichite, komarovite, manganokukisvumite, epididymite, sphalerite, neotocite, etc . Stronadelphite forms hexagonal, prismatic to acicular crystals up to 0.1 × 0.1 × 2 mm, combined in sheaf-like clusters up to 1 × 2 mm embedded in natrolite. The mineral is transparent, colourless with a pale greenish tint. Stronadelphite is brittle, with Mohs hardness 5, no cleavage observed. D calc is 3.915 g/cm 3 . Optically, the new mineral is uniaxial (−), ω 1.630(1), e 1.623(1). Average values for six point microprobe analyses (wt%) are: Na 2 O 0.10, CaO 2.49, SrO 62.72, BaO 2.40, La 2 O 3 0.34, Ce 2 O 3 0.22, ThO 2 0.28, P 2 O 5 29.02, F 1.45, H 2 O(calc.) 0.54, −O=F 2 −0.61; total 98.95. The empirical formula based on 13 anions [O 12 (F,OH)] is: (Sr 4.46 Ca 0.33 Ba 0.12 Na 0.02 La 0.02 Ce 0.01 Th 0.01 ) ∑=4.97 P 3.01 O 12 [F 0.56 (OH) 0.44 ] ∑=1 . The idealized formula is Sr 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F. Stronadelphite is hexagonal, space group P 6 3 / m; a = 9.845(7), c = 7.383(4) A, V = 619.7(7) A 3 , Z = 2. Its crystal structure has been refined to R = 0.0305 using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Stronadelphite is isostructural with fluorapatite. The strongest lines of the powder diffraction pattern [ d in A ( I ) ( hkl )] are: 3.71 (30) (002), 3.21 (40) (120, 210), 2.940 (100) (211, 121, 112), 2.823 (35) (300, 202), 2.009 (50) (222, 312, 132), 1.955 (45) (213, 123), 1.500 (30) (151, 511, 332). The mineral is named after the chemical element stron tium and αδeλφoσ, Greek for “brother”, as the full strontium analogue of fluorapatite, the most widespread member of the apatite supergroup. Both the mineral and its name have been approved by the IMA CNMNC. The type specimen is deposited in Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow, with the registration number 3693/1.

Fluorcanasite, K3Na3Ca5Si12O30(F,OH)4 · H2O, a new mineral species from the Khibiny alkaline pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia, and new data on canasite

Fluorcanasite is described, a new mineral species found in dumps of the Kirovsk apatite mine, Mt. Kukisvumchorr, Khibiny alkaline pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia. The new mineral is associated with microcline, nepheline, aegirine, scherbakovite, lamprophyllite, pectolite, mosandrite, villiaumite, rasvumite, and molybdenite. It occurs as prismatic crystals up to 0.2−0.3 × 1−2 mm in size extending along [010]. Fluorcanasite is purple, transparent, with white streak and vitreous luster. The fracture is hackly along the extension and stepped in other directions. The mineral is brittle. The cleavage is eminent parallel to {100} and {201} and perfect parallel to {001}. D(meas) = 2.68(2) g/cm3 (volumetric method); D(calc) = 2.69 g/cm3. Fluorcanasite is biaxial, negative, n α = 1.538(1), n β = 1.546(1), n γ = 1.549(1), 2V(meas) = 60(2)°, 2V(calc) = 63°. Dispersion r > v. The new mineral is pleochroic according to the scheme N β > N γ > N α; N β is purple, N γ is lilac, and N α is amber-yellow. Orientation is as follows: b = N β, a∧N γ = 3°, c∧N α = 19°. Fluorcanasite is not luminescent in UV light and slowly decomposes in acid. The new mineral is monoclinic, space group Cm, a = 18.846(4), b = 7.242(1), c = 12.650(2) A, β = 111.84(2)°, V = 1602.6(4) A3, Z = 2. The strongest reflections [d, A(I)] in the X-ray powder pattern of a grainoriented sample are 2.915(100), 4.204(40), 5.872(36), 4.712(36), 2.358(32), 3.012(24), 2.310(24), 3.082(24) and the same reflections in a randomly oriented sample are 3.082(100), 2.915(85), 4.712(46), 4.204(41), 3.340(35), 5.872(33), 2.658(30). The chemical composition, determined with an electron microprobe, is as follows, wt %: 7.19 Na2O, 10.91 K2O, 19.55 CaO, 0.27 FeO, 2.08 MnO, 55.84 SiO2, 4.10 F, 2.22 H2O (determined on the basis of structural data), 1.73-O = F2; the total is 100.43. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of Si = 12, is K2.99Na3.00(Ca4.50Mn0.38·Fe 0.05 2+ )Σ4.93Si12O29.93(F2.79OH1.21)Σ4 · 0.98H2O. The idealized formula is K3Na3Ca5Si12O30(F,OH)4 · H2O, F > OH or K3Na3Ca5(Si12O30)F4 · H2O. The IR spectrum of the mineral, description of its crystal structure, and comparison with its close analogues, canasite and frankamenite, are given in the paper. New optical parameters and crystal data are presented for the type specimen of canasite from the Materialnaya adit, Mt. Yukspor, Khibiny. Type material is deposited at the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.

Shirokshinite, K(NaMg2)Si4O10F2, a new mica with octahedral Na from Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula: descriptive data and structural disorder

Shirokshinite, K(NaMg 2 )Si 4 O 10 F 2 , is the analogue of tainiolite, K(LiMg 2 )Si 4 O 10 F 2 , with the M 1 octahedron fully occupied by Na instead of Li. It was found in the Kirovskii underground apatite mine (Kukisvumchorr Mountain, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia) as a late hydrothermal mineral in a small hyperalkaline pegmatite embedded in ristschorrite. Shirokshinite is associated with microcline, kupletskite, aegirine, natrolite, lorenzenite, calcite, remondite-(Ce), donnayite-(Y), mckelveyite-(Y) and galena. Crystals are usually skeletal and coarse hexagonal [001] prismatic. Shirokshinite is transparent to translucent, colourless to pale greyish, hardness Mohs9 ∼2.5; D(calc) = 2.922 g/cm 3 . Optically biaxial (-), α = 1.526(1), β = 1.553(2), γ = 1.553(2); 2V meas = −5(5)°, 2V calc = −0°; Y = b , Z ∼ a , Xc = 3(2)°. The IR spectrum of shirokshinite is unique even if close to that of tainiolite: in particular, the presence of Na + instead of Li + shifts some bands towards low-frequencies. Single-crystal diffraction data (Mo K α-radiation) gave a = 5.269(2), b = 9.092(9), c = 10.198(3) A, β = 100.12(7)°, Z = 2, 1 M -polytype, space group C 2/ m. Structure anisotropic refinement converged R = 0.13 for 715 observed reflections. Evidence of stacking faults in the structure is discussed and compared with the so called Ďurovic effect. The very little ditrigonal distortion in spite of the large dimension of the Na octahedron is discussed in comparison with tainiolite. A critical revision of old published data indicating octahedral Na in micas shows that this hypothesis was biased by the low quality of the chemical analyses.

Fluid-induced nucleation of (Y + REE)-phosphate minerals within apatite: Nature and experiment. Part I. Chlorapatite

This study investigates chlorapatite [ideally Ca10(PO4)6Cl2)] from two spatially separated locations in the Ødegårdens Verk apatite mine, Bamble Sector, SE Norway, which was partially metasomatized under amphibolite-facies conditions. Relative to the original chlorapatite, metasomatized areas in sample DL136 are enriched in OH and F, depleted in Na, Si, and (Y + REE) and contain numerous inclusions (1-15 μm) of monazite and xenotime. In contrast, metasomatized areas in sample TN174 are enriched in F and Si, depleted in Na, show (Y + REE) abundances similar to the original chlorapatite, and host only a few monazite and xenotime grains.

CaO-MgO-Glaze for Cordierite Clay Body

In Finland there occurs magnesium containing saw-waste as a by-product from soapstone industry included talc minerals, which can be used for manufacturing of cordierite clay body. In this work properties and raw materials, which are needed for glazes used to cover the magnesium silica clay body, have been investigated and evaluated. With Finnish whiting, dolomite and feldspar FFF as raw materials also the phlogopite mica, a by-product from apatite mine, has been used as a glaze. The limited industry production can withstand some variations and thus utilize natural rock minerals which also colour the glazes. The glazes have a high viscosity and a good covering effect. Colours have a brownish beige or yellow tone from iron oxide when magnesium and calcium oxide are used together. The surfaces of the glazes, which are developed in this investigation, can be used both for tableware design, which withstands chock temperatures and in applications for illustrious tile surfaces in the tile industry.

Comparison of plant and precipitation chemistry in catchments with different levels of pollution on the Kola Peninsula, Russia

Highly variable concentration patterns for up to 29 elements were found in three plant-groups (crowberry — Empetrum nigrum; lichen — Cladonia sp.; and terrestrial moss — Hylocomium splendens+ Pleurozium schreberi) collected in selected catchments in the central Barents region. Element concentrations in the plants are compared with those observed for rain, snow melt water and snow filter residue collected in the same catchments. Based on these results the suitability of each plant-group as a bio-indicator for atmospheric input of elements is evaluated. Lichen shows by far the lowest concentrations in most major elements (Ca, S, P, Al, Mg, Mn and Fe). The highest levels of Cr, Fe, Mg, and S appear in all three plant-groups near the nickel roaster in Zapoljarnij. In moss and lichen, Ag, Ba, Bi, Cd, and Na show the highest concentration within the impact zone of the nickel refinery in Monchegorsk. However, these plants do not survive in the immediate vicinity of this refinery where concentrations of As, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni and Pb in crowberry are higher than for all other vegetation samples in our study. The three groups react quite different to dust input (e.g. Al, Ba, Ca, K, La, Na, P, Rb, Sr and Y) from the large open cast apatite mine in Kirovsk near Apatity. For a large number of elements all three groups mirror at least a part of the elemental input via precipitation. Each plant-group reflects precipitation chemistry especially well for some elements. Moss reacts most strongly to rain, lichen is probably the best ‘integrator’ and crowberry reflects best the particulate input. Ni is the only element for which all three plant-groups directly reflect the atmospheric input pattern via precipitation. For the other elements the input patterns are often essentially altered. To reliably use plant chemistry for documenting pollution patterns a very large regional contrast in deposition appears to be necessary for most elements.