Distribution Of Beryllium Research Articles

Mechanism of beryllium mineralization in a granite-pegmatite system: Constraints from ore geology and beryl mineralogy of the large Arskartor Be-Nb-Mo deposit, southern Chinese Altai

The Arskartor Be-Nb-Mo deposit is the second largest Be deposit in the Chinese Altai, NW China, which hosts over 11,000 tons of BeO resource. The muscovite-albite granite and rare-metal pegmatite in the ore district are spatially and temporally coexisted and both are beryllium mineralized. The muscovite-albite granitic stock can be divided into a barren zone and a Be-mineralized zone. The pegmatite shows an well-developed internal zone including the layered muscovite-quartz-albite zone, (lower) beryl-muscovite-quartz zone, quartz core, (hanging) beryl-muscovite-quartz zone, and muscovite-quartz-microcline zone. Beryl is the dominant Be-bearing mineral and mainly occurs in the Be-mineralized granite, the layered muscovite-quartz-albite and the beryl-muscovite-quartz zones of the pegmatite. Subhedral to euhedral beryl in the Be-mineralized granite is interstitial to or intergrown with rock-forming minerals. In contrast, beryl crystals in the pegmatite are coarser in grain size and more euhedral in shape, and mainly coexist with coarse “booked” muscovite and blocky quartz. Concentrations of Li, Cs and Na/Li ratios of beryl are 184–760 ppm, 218–1996 ppm, and 2.13–21.3, respectively. The progressive variations of incompatible elements compositions and Na/Li ratios are consistent with the fractional crystallization mechanism of the granite-pegmatite system. Paragenesis and internal structure of beryl suggest nonequilibrium crystallization of a relatively incompatible elements and fluxes-enriched late granitic melt, generated the coarse-grained Be-mineralized granite. With the progressive enrichment of incompatible and fluxing elements and decreasing temperature, liquidus overcooling was achieved and generated the aplite and immediate zoned pegmatite that hosts abundant beryl. Moreover, the differentiating pegmatitic melt with varying amounts of aqueous fluids at different melt fractions, likely resulted in heterogeneous distribution of beryllium and subsequent variable amounts of beryl crystallization in different internal zones. The exsolution of aqueous fluids from the residual pegmatitic melt resulted in Mo-mineralization and related hydrothermal alteration. Consequently, both protracted fractional crystallization and subsolidus processes contributed the formation of the Arskartor granite-pegmatite system with Be-polymetallic mineralization.

ЗВ’ЯЗОК ГЕРМАНІЮ ІЗ ЗОЛЬНІСТЮ ТА «ТОКСИЧНИМИ» ЕЛЕМЕНТАМИ У ВУГІЛЛІ НА ПРИКЛАДІ ПЛАСТА с5 ПОЛЯ ШАХТИ БЛАГОДАТНА ЗАХІДНОГО ДОНБАСУ

Purpose. The character and level of the statistical relationship between the content of germanium and “toxic elements” in coal seam c5 of the “Blahodatna” mine and the main features of their distribution were established for the assessment of possible environmental risks during the selective processing of coal enriched with this element. It has been proven that the correlation between germanium and all “toxic” elements is inverse and very weak. The existence of genetically different forms of germanium and arsenic, fluorine, mercury and beryllium was revealed. Methods. The research materials included analysis of 38 coal samples for germanium, beryllium, fluorine, mercury and arsenic, performed in accredited state laboratories after 1981. The content of germanium, beryllium and fluorine was determined by quantitative emission spectral analysis, mercury and arsenic – by atomic absorption analysis. The samples were taken during the work of production enterprises and research organizations with the participation of the authors, using the furrow method of sampling in mine workings and from the core of wells from 1981 to 2018. For primary processing of geochemical data, STATISTICA 13.3 and IBM SPSS Statistics 22 were used to calculate basic statistical characteristics, including mean, standard error of the mean, median, kurtosis, mode, standard deviation, variance, minimum and maximum values, coefficient of variation, and sample skewness . Frequency histograms were created for visual assessment of the studied parameters, as well as the characteristics of their distribution were determined. To achieve the objectives of the study, correlation and regression analyzes were carried out using the functions available in Micromine – the leading professional mining and geological information system for 3D modeling, statistical data processing and mining planning. Results. It was established that a general feature of the distribution of ash content, germanium, arsenic, fluorine, mercury and beryllium in the c5 coal seam of the Blahodatna mine field is their non-compliance with normal and lognormal laws and the polymodality of the distributions with a shift of the density nuclei to the left, except for beryllium and germanium. Each of the studied elements in seam c5 of the “Blahodatna” mine accumulated in several forms, which differed significantly in their genesis. At the same time, the forms of finding, which are responsible for the minimum contents, were jointly accumulated at the initial, syngenetic stage. The presence of an inverse and very weak correlation between germanium concentrations and ash content, arsenic, fluorine, and mercury contents in the c5 coal seam of the Blahodatna mine was revealed. The only element considered that forms a very weak positive correlation with germanium is beryllium. Scientific novelty of the results. The presence of genetically different forms of germanium and arsenic, fluorine, mercury and beryllium in coal seam c5 of the Blahodatna mine was revealed. The polymodality of the distributions was established for all the considered components, while the displacement of the density of their distribution to the left was proved, except for germanium and beryllium. It has been proven that the correlation between germanium and ash content and all “toxic” elements (except beryllium) is inverse and very weak. Practical significance of the results. Justification of the method of the most accurate assessment of the central tendency in the distribution of a sample population of concentrations of germanium and arsenic, fluorine, mercury and beryllium in coal seam c5 of the “Blahodatna” mine. The presence of a very weak correlation between the content of germanium and “toxic” elements makes it possible to predict the minimal nature of possible environmental risks during the selective processing of germanium-enriched coal.

Arsenic, mercury, fluorine and beryllium in the с1 coal seam of the Blahodatna mine of Pavlohrad-Petropavlivka geological and industrial area of Western Donbas

Spatial distribution of arsenic, mercury, fluorine and beryllium in the c1 coal seam of «Blahodatna» mine field are considered. This research associated with increasing requirements for environmental protection, which necessitate the need for new scientifically based methods for predicting the content of toxic elements in rock mass that extracting by mines and mining waste and coal enrichment. The aim of the research is to establish features and regularities in the distribution of arsenic, mercury, fluorine and beryllium in the coal seam c1 of Blahodatna mine of Pavlohrad-Petropavlivka geological and industrial area of Western Donbas. Maps of the isoconcentrate of arsenic, mercury, fluorine and beryllium and maps of the regional constituent of their contents by the area of the mine field were constructed. Linear regression equations are calculated between their concentrations and the main technological parameters of coal. On the basis of the results of statistical processing of geochemical information and geological and structural characteristics of the coal seam c1 of «Blahodatna» mine field allowed us to establish, that the beryllium is the only element mainly associated with the organic constituent of the coal layer. Cumulation of its main part occurred in the process of peat accumulation. Close correlation connection between mercury and arsenic with sulfur and the analysis of the spatial location of the anomalies of these elements with the geological and structural features of the seam indicates the accumulation of these elements at the post-sedimentation stage of the formation of coal deposits and their genetic connection with the tectonic disturbance. Moreover, if large disturbances basically have a role of supply and transit channels, then minor disturbance and make a controlling function. Close direct correlation relationship of fluorine with coal ash and analysis of the constructed maps indicate that its predominant accumulation during the formation of a paleo-turfary in the composition of layered aluminosilicates. The main scientific importance of the results of the performed studies is the establishment of geochemical associations and genetic causes that have a significant effect on the distribution of toxic elements in coal seam of c1.

SOME FEATURES OF BERYLLIUM DISTRIBUTION IN THE K5 COAL SEAM OF THE "KAPITALNA" MINE OF THE KRASNOARMIISKYI GEOLOGICAL AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT OF DONBAS

Problem Statement and purpose. For today, to solve environmental problems in the coal mining regions, studies of toxic elements (including beryllium) are obligatory and allow to determine the environmental impact of coal enterprises and coal heating enterprises. The purpose of this work is to establish regularities in the distribution of beryllium in the coal seam k5 of the mine field "Kapitalna".Data & Methods. Using Excel 2016 and Statistica 11.0 at the initial stage of the processing of primary geochemical information, the values of the main descriptive statistics were calculated, building of frequency histograms of the content and the determination of the beryllium distribution law were realized. During evaluating the relationship of beryllium with the organic or mineral part of the coal, the coefficients of affinity with the organic substance were used, which shows the ratio of the content of the elements in the coal with low and high density. Surfer 11 was used in the con­struction of all the maps. During the construction of the maps, graphs and calculation of correlation coefficients, all values of beryllium concentrations and technological parameters of coal were normalized.Results. The results of studies of the spatial distribution of beryllium in the coal bed k5 have been analyzed and areal variations of its concentrations have been established. The influence of variability of beryllium concentrations on the main technological parameters of coal was evaluated. It has been found that with the increase of mineral impurities in the coal seams the concentration of beryllium decreases, therefore, the concentrator of this element is the organic component of coal. The constructed maps are the factual basis for the long-term forecast of the concentrations of beryllium in the rock mass that extract by the mine. The calculated linear regression equations be­tween the beryllium content and the main technological parameters of coal will allow to predict its concentration in the coal seam. These equations can be used for short-term and medium-term forecasting of beryllium content in the extracted rock mass. In its turn, such forecasts should serve as the basis for technological solutions aimed at reducing its content in products and waste of coal enrichment.

Measurement of sputtered beryllium yield and angular distribution during nanostructure growth in a helium plasma

The angular distribution and sputtering yield of beryllium exposed to helium plasma are estimated from analysis of line-integrated 2D imaging of Be-I line emission in a steady-state linear plasma device. As the surface nanostructure forms during plasma exposure on a ∼100 s timescale (corresponding to a fluence of order 1020/cm2) from nearly mono-energetic ion bombardment, a narrowing of the beryllium sputtering angle and a significant (∼5×) drop in sputtering yield are observed. These trends are found to be qualitatively consistent with modeling taking into account the effect of the surface morphology on sputtering yield and angular distribution.

Beryllium characterization in powders containing plutonium by photoneutron activation analysis using a 124Sb gamma source

The possibility to determine the amount of beryllium in cans containing a mixed powder of iron and plutonium by counting photoneutrons is investigated with Monte Carlo simulation. The sensitivity of the optimized measurement cell is larger than 3000 s−1 wt% of Be with a 3.7E10 Bq source of 124Sb. A heterogeneous distribution of beryllium induces a 30 % relative uncertainty, which dominates the total uncertainty, the relative counting statistics being lower than 1 % when the 124Sb source activity exceeds 3.7E9 Bq.

The study of the process of alkaline precipitation purification of solutions from silicon macroscales in the ammonium-fluoride processing of beryllium-containing materials

The ammonium-fluoride method of beryllium materials processing is examined. An analysis of the existing sulfuric-acid and fluoride processing scheme of beryllium-containing concentrates processing is described; advantages of the proposed ammonium-fluoride scheme and possible problems that may occur when testing a new technique are discussed. Studies on determining the effect of silicon macroscales on the behavior of beryllium in fluoride solutions at an increased pH, as well as on establishing the distribution of beryllium and silicon by phases in laboratory testing of the technology on model mixtures, are described. As a result of the studies, it is found that precipitation purification of solutions from silicon with a solution of ammonia is possible at a temperature of 20-25 °C. The paper presents data on the effect of an excessive concentration of ion-fluoride in a solution on the pH level of silicon precipitation; and on the hydrolysis degree of beryllium and silicon during the precipitation.

Distribution of rubidium, cesium, beryllium, strontium, and barium in blood and urine in general Chinese population

To investigate the distribution of rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), beryllium (Be), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba) in blood and urine in general Chinese population. A total of 18 120 subjects aged 6~60 years were enrolled from 24 regions in 8 provinces in Eastern, Central, and Western China from 2009 to 2010 based on the method of cluster random sampling. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the data on living environment and health status. Blood and urine samples were collected from these subjects, and the levels of Rb, Cs, Be, Sr, and Ba in these samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The distribution of these elements in blood and urine in male or female subjects living in different regions was analyzed statistically. In the general Chinese population, the concentration of Be in the whole blood was below the detection limit (0.06 μg/L); the geometric mean (GM) of Ba in the whole blood was below the detection limit (0.45 μg/L), with the 95th percentile (P95)of 1.37 μg/L; the GMs (95% CI)of Rb, Cs, and Sr in the whole blood were 2 374(2 357~2 392) μg/L, 2.01 (1.98~2.05) μg/L, and 23.5 (23.3~23.7) μg/L, respectively; in males and females, the GMs (95%CI)of blood Rb, Cs, and Sr were 2 506 (2 478~2 533) μg/L and 2 248 (2 227~2 270) μg/L, 1.88 (1.83~1.94) μg/L and 2.16 (2.11~2.20) μg/L, and 23.4 (23.1~23.7) μg/L and 23.6 (23.3~23.9) μg/L, respectively(P<0.01, P>0.05, and P>0.05). In the general Chinese population, the GM of urine Be was below the detection limit (0.06 μg/L), while the GMs (95%CI)of urine Rb, Cs, Sr, and Ba were 854 (836~873) μg/L, 3.65 (3.56~3.74) μg/L, 39.5 (38.4~40.6) μg/L, and 1.10 (1.07~1.12) μg/L, respectively; in males and females, the GMs (95%CI)of urine Rb, Cs, Sr, and Ba were 876 (849~904) μg/L and 832 (807~858) μg/L, 3.83 (3.70~3.96) μg/L and 3.47 (3.35~3.60) μg/L, 42.5 (40.9~44.2) μg/L and 36.6 (35.1~38.0) μg/L, and 1.15 (1.12~1.19) μg/L and 1.04 (1.01~1.07) μg/L, respectively (all P< 0.01). Correlation analyses showed that there were weak correlations between blood Rb and urine Rb (r=0.197)and between blood Sr and urine Sr (r=0.180), but a good correlation between blood Cs and urine Cs (r=0.487). The levels of Rb, Cs, Be, Sr, and Ba in the general Chinese population are similar to those reported in other countries, and there is a significant difference in the concentration of each element among the populations living in different regions, as well as significant differences in blood Rb, urine Rb, urine Cs, urine Sr, and urine Ba between males and females.

Quantification and micron-scale imaging of spatial distribution of trace beryllium in shrapnel fragments and metallurgic samples with correlative fluorescence detection method and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS).

Recently, a report raised the possibility of shrapnel-induced chronic beryllium disease from long-term exposure to the surface of retained aluminum shrapnel fragments in the body. Since the shrapnel fragments contained trace beryllium, methodological developments were needed for beryllium quantification and to study its spatial distribution in relation to other matrix elements, such as aluminum and iron, in metallurgic samples. In this work, we developed methodology for quantification of trace beryllium in samples of shrapnel fragments and other metallurgic sample-types with main matrix of aluminum (aluminum cans from soda, beer, carbonated water and aluminum foil). Sample preparation procedures were developed for dissolving beryllium for its quantification with the fluorescence detection method for homogenized measurements. The spatial distribution of trace beryllium on the sample surface and in 3D was imaged with a dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry instrument, CAMECA IMS 3f secondary ion mass spectrometry ion microscope. The beryllium content of shrapnel (∼100 ppb) was the same as the trace quantities of beryllium found in aluminum cans. The beryllium content of aluminum foil (∼25 ppb) was significantly lower than cans. SIMS imaging analysis revealed beryllium to be distributed in the form of low micron-sized particles and clusters distributed randomly in X-Y- and Z dimensions, and often in association with iron, in the main aluminum matrix of cans. These observations indicate a plausible formation of Be-Fe or Al-Be alloy in the matrix of cans. Further observations were made on fluids (carbonated water) for understanding if trace beryllium in cans leached out and contaminated the food product. A direct comparison of carbonated water in aluminum cans and plastic bottles revealed that beryllium was below the detection limits of the fluorescence detection method (∼0.01 ppb). These observations indicate that beryllium present in aluminum matrix was either present in an immobile form or its mobilization into the food product was prevented by a polymer coating on the inside of cans, a practice used in food industry to prevent contamination of food products. The lack of such coating in retained shrapnel fragments renders their surface a possible source of contamination for long-term exposure of tissues and fluids and induction of disease, as characterized in a recent study. Methodological developments reported here can be extended to studies of beryllium in electronics devices and components.

Beryllium content in the organs of Pinus sylvestris L. in the belt coniferous forests near the Irtysh River in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Data on the beryllium content in the ash and air-dry mass of the organs of Pinus sylvestris were obtained. A certain regularity in the distribution of beryllium in needles and twigs over years was revealed. It was established that beryllium is an element of strong accumulation for Pinus sylvestris under the conditions of the region under investigation, but its role in the general cycle of matter is of minor importance.

Selected Trace Elements in the Sacramento River, California: Occurrence and Distribution

The impact of trace elements from the Iron Mountain Superfund site on the Sacramento River and selected tributaries is examined. The concentration and distribution of many trace elements-including aluminum, arsenic, boron, barium, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, cerium, cobalt, chromium, cesium, copper, dysprosium, erbium, europium, iron, gadolinium, holmium, potassium, lanthanum, lithium, lutetium, manganese, molybdenum, neodymium, nickel, lead, praseodymium, rubidium, rhenium, antimony, selenium, samarium, strontium, terbium, thallium, thulium, uranium, vanadium, tungsten, yttrium, ytterbium, zinc, and zirconium-were measured using a combination of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Samples were collected using ultraclean techniques at selected sites in tributaries and the Sacramento River from below Shasta Dam to Freeport, California, at six separate time periods from mid-1996 to mid-1997. Trace-element concentrations in dissolved (ultrafiltered [0.005-μm pore size]) and colloidal material, isolated at each site from large volume samples, are reported. For example, dissolved Zn ranged from 900μg/L at Spring Creek (Iron Mountain acid mine drainage into Keswick Reservoir) to 0.65μg/L at the Freeport site on the Sacramento River. Zn associated with colloidal material ranged from 4.3μg/L (colloid-equivalent concentration) in Spring Creek to 21.8μg/L at the Colusa site on the Sacramento River. Virtually all of the trace elements exist in Spring Creek in the dissolved form. On entering Keswick Reservoir, the metals are at least partially converted by precipitation or adsorption to the particulate phase. Despite this observation, few of the elements are removed by settling; instead the majority is transported, associated with colloids, downriver, at least to the Bend Bridge site, which is 67km from Keswick Dam. Most trace elements are strongly associated with the colloid phase going downriver under both low- and high-flow conditions.

Scrape-off layer plasmas for ITER with 2nd X-point and convective transport effects

Plasma fluxes to the divertor region in ITER near the magnetic separatrix have been modeled extensively in the past. The smaller, but potentially very important fluxes to the main chamber and outer divertor regions are the focus of the present paper. Two main additions to the usual transport modeling are investigated: namely, convective radial transport from intermittent, rapidly propagating ‘blob’ events, and inclusion of the magnetic flux-surface region beyond the second X-point that actually contacts the main-chamber wall. The two-dimensional fluid transport code UEDGE is use to model the plasma, while the energy spectrum of charge-exchange neutrals to the main chamber wall is calculated by the DEGAS 2 Monte Carlo code. Additionally, the spatial distribution of beryllium sputtered from the main chamber wall is determined in the fluid limit.

Distribution of Hydrogen Isotopes, Carbon and Beryllium on In-Vessel Surfaces in the Various JET Divertors

JET has operated with divertors of differing geometries since 1994. Impurities accumulated in the inner leg of all the divertors, and operation of the first (Mk I) divertor with beryllium tiles demonstrated that most are eroded from the main chamber walls and swept along the scrape-off layer to the inner divertor. Carbon deposited at the inner divertor is then locally transported to shadowed regions such as the inner louvres, where, for example, most of the tritium was trapped during the deuterium-tritium experiment (DTE1). Factors affecting these transport processes (e.g. temperature) are important for ITER, but are not well understood.

The beryllium "double standard" standard.

Brush Wellman, the world's leading producer and supplier of beryllium products, has systematically hidden cases of beryllium disease that occurred below the threshold limit value (TLV) and lied about the efficacy of the TLV in published papers, lectures, reports to government agencies, and instructional materials prepared for customers and workers. Hypocritically, Brush Wellman instituted a zero exposure standard for corporate executives while workers and customers were told the 2 microgram standard was "safe." Brush intentionally used its workers as "canaries for the plant," and referred to them as such. Internal documents and corporate depositions indicate that these actions were intentional and that the motive was money. Despite knowledge of the inadequacy of the TLV, Brush has successfully used it as a defense against lawsuits brought by injured workers and as a sales device to provide reassurance to customers. Brush's policy has reaped an untold number of victims and resulted in mass distribution of beryllium in consumer products. Such corporate malfeasance is perpetuated by the current market system, which is controlled by an organized oligopoly that creates an incentive for the neglect of worker health and safety in favor of externalizing costs to victimized workers, their families, and society at large.

First wall material issues and related activities at JET

To close the JET tritium material balance a comprehensive programme to determine the tritium inventory in a selected poloidal set of JET tiles was initiated. First results strongly suggest that a significant fraction of the tritium remaining in the machine is immobilised in flakes accumulated in the sub-divertor region. Measurements performed with tiles and flakes retrieved from JET after the DTE1 campaign revealed a chronic tritium release at room temperature, possibly caused by a radiation-induced mechanism. Deposited films of the order of 5 μm thick are found at the vertical surfaces of the inner divertor. Recent analysis of the distribution of beryllium across the divertor shows factors of ≈10 higher beryllium concentrations (relative to carbon) in these deposits than found in the main camber walls. Very little beryllium is found on the outer divertor. Also no beryllium is detectable in the thick deposits accumulated in the shadowed regions of the inner divertor. These results suggest that in ITER migration of beryllium from the main chamber to the divertor surfaces could substantially reduce the chemical erosion and consequently the retention of tritium.

Trace-Element Systematics of Beryllium in Terrestrial Materials

Although often studied as key constituent in minerals, the low mass element (Z = 4; M = 9.0012182 amu) beryllium is most commonly encountered as a very low abundance trace metal in rocks and fluids. In terms of atomic structure and valence state, Be is affiliated with alkaline earth elements; but geologically and chemically beryllium shows greater affinities to the major cations Al, Si, and Mn, and the lithophile trace elements Nd and Zr. Low beryllium abundances prevented the precise measurements of Be contents in rocks and fluids until relatively recently. Intense geochemical interest in the cosmogenic radioisotope 10Be has led to advances in the measurement of stable beryllium. High quality Be data now exist for a variety of natural materials found at or near the Earth’s surface. We have a good general understanding of the distribution of beryllium in the solid earth, and in surficial systems. New data for both mineral/melt and mineral/fluid partitioning of beryllium offer the possibility of a detailed assessment of the geochemical behavior of Be in the Earth’s major geologic environments. Goldschmidt and Peters (1932), using a flame-emission method, first measured trace-levels of beryllium in common rocks and minerals. They examined a variety of igneous rocks and their associated minerals, sedimentary rocks, and meteorites. While they were able to recognize differences in Be contents among materials (Be is higher in granites and alkaline igneous rocks than in mafic and ultramafic rocks; is higher still in pegmatitic rocks and minerals, and is not detectable in meteorites), they were unable to make precise measurements on most samples due to the poor sensitivity of their method. Sandell (1952) obtained somewhat more precise Be data on igneous rocks using a fluorimetric method. He confirmed the Be abundance variations reported by Goldschmidt and Peters (1932), and inferred …

Investigation of distribution of beryllium, nickel and vanadium in subsoil of Csepel-Island

In order to investigate the long-term effect of the Százhalombatta power plant on the environment of the Csepel-Island subsoil samples were collected in 55 points within 200 km 2. Using a microwave-assisted extraction procedure, Be, Ni and V were extracted from the soil samples by aqua regia and the metal concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The analytical results were evaluated by chemometric methods and interpreted considering the main mineral constituents of the subsoil.

The temperature dependence of the momentum distribution of beryllium measured by neutron Compton scattering

In this paper we report a new neutron Compton scattering (NCS) measurement of the ground state single atom kinetic energy of polycrystalline beryllium at momentum transfers in the range 27–104 Å −1 and temperatures in the range 110–1150 K. The measurements have been made with the electron Volt spectrometer (eVS) at the ISIS facility and the measured kinetic energies are shown to be ∼10% higher than calculations made in the harmonic approximation.

Distribution of beryllium between solution and minerals (biotite and albite) under atmospheric conditions and variable pH

Biotite and albite grains having a size range from 20 to 124 μm were suspended in Be-bearing solutions at pH 2 to 9 for periods of 30 min to 20 days. The amount of Be sorbed onto biotite is up to 40 times higher than onto albite under the same conditions and pH≤7. At pH≤6, the distribution of Be between solution and solids is related to sorption but at pH>6, the solute concentration is strongly controlled by solubility of Be(OH) 2-solid. Because of this solubility control, the calculation of a distribution coefficient ( K d= S/ C, where S is Be sorbed at equilibrium per mass or specific surface area of sorbent, and C is the Be concentration in solution at equilibrium) seems to be valid only at pH≤6. The K d increases with decreasing suspended particle concentration (from 0.2 to 2.0 g l −1) for both minerals. For biotite the K d also increases with the fine (20–63 μm) relative to the coarse (63–124 μm) size fraction even upon normalization to specific surface area. The relatively small amount of Be sorbed onto albite at pH 2 and 4 limited extensive evaluation and comparison. The rate of Be sorption onto biotite follows a logarithmic function and ranges from 0.8 to 1.0×10 −11 mol cm −2 s −1 in pH 2 and 6 solutions, respectively. The time-variation of sorbed Be onto albite was insignificant with increasing pH. The sorption of Be onto biotite partly relates to the kinetics of cation release. The results of experiments are discussed with respect to some examples of the distribution of Be isotopes in continental aquatic systems.

Distribution of lithium, beryllium, and boron in meteoritic chondrules

Abstract— The distribution of Li, Be, and B was studied by ion microprobe mass spectrometry in 36 chondrules from the Semarkona, Bishunpur, Allende, Clovis #1, and Hedjaz meteorites. Within a single chondrule, Li‐Be‐B concentrations can vary up to one order of magnitude. For example, in a chondrule from Hedjaz, concentrations range from 0.3 to 2.4 ppm for Li, from &lt;0.001 to 0.17 ppm for Be, and from 0.4 to 5.5 ppm for B. Among chondrules from Semarkona and Bishunpur, clear crystal‐mesostasis partitioning was observed in nine chondrules for Li, in nine chondrules for Be, and in three chondrules for B. The heterogeneities in the distribution of Li, Be, and B in chondrules from Semarkona and Bishunpur appear to be primary features that were inherited from the chondrules' precursors and not totally obscured during the chondrules' formation. A redistribution of B was nevertheless observed at the whole‐rock scale for Allende (B‐Al2O3 correlation) and Hedjaz (B–SiO2 correlation).At the scale of bulk chondrules, a robust correlation is observed for all studied meteorites between the B/Be and the B/Li ratios, which indicates that Li and Be are much less heterogeneously distributed in chondrites than B. Mean Li, Be, and B concentrations of chondrules ([Li] ≅ 0.83+0.86 ppm; [Be] ≅ 0.0430.027 ppm; [B] ≅ 0.89+3.71‐0.72 ppm) are consistent with those of Orgueil ([Li] ≅ 1.49 ppm; [Be] ≅ 0.0249 ppm; [B] ≅ 0.87 ppm), but the mean Li/Be ratio of chondrules (24.5+6.5‐9.1) is a factor of ∼4 depleted relative to Orgueil (Li/Be ratio of ∼78). Such a depletion is puzzling because no correlation between Li and Na or B has been found as would be expected to result from volatilization processes during chondrule melting and cooling. As a consequence, the exact abundance of solar system Li remains an open question.