Greenish Tint Research Articles

Tululite, Ca14(Fe3+,Al)(Al,Zn,Fe3+,Si,P,Mn,Mg)15O36: a new Ca zincate-aluminate from combustion metamorphic marbles, central Jordan

Tululite (Ca14(Fe3+,Al)(Al,Zn,Fe3+,Si,P,Mn,Mg)15O36 (the hypothetical end-member formula Ca14{Fe3+O6}[SiO4][Zn5Al9]O26) (IMA2014-065) is a new natural Ca zincate-aluminate, identified in medium-temperature (800–850 °C) combustion metamorphic (CM) spurrite-fluorellestadite marbles from central Jordan. The type locality (Tulul Al Hammam area) is situated in the northern part of the Siwaqa complex, the largest area of the “Mottled Zone” Formation in the Dead Sea region. The marbles originated from bitumen-rich chalky marine sediments of the Maastrichtian-Paleogene Muwaqqar Chalk Marl Formation, which have low clay content (and, consequently, low Al) and high Zn, Cd, and U enrichments. The bulk CM rocks derived from the low-Al protolith have unusually high (Zn + Cd)/Al ratios (~0.2) and, as a result, a mineralogy with negligibly small percentages of Ca aluminates having low Ca:Al molar ratios (minerals of mayenite supergroup, Ca:Al = 6:7) common to most of calcareous CM rocks in the Mottled Zone. Instead, the mineral assemblage of the Zn-rich marbles contains tululite, with high Ca:Al = 2.55 molar ratios and Zn substituting for a large portion of Al (Zn:Al = 1.1). Tululite occurs in thin clusters as irregular grains with indented outlines (20–100 μm in size), having typical open-work textures associated with rock-forming calcite, fluorellestadite, spurrite, and accessory Zn-rich periclase, lime-monteponite solid solutions, calcium uranates, and zincite. Marbles also bear brownmillerite, dorrite, fluormayenite, high-fluorine Ca aluminate, and lakargiite. Secondary phases are brucite, gel-like calcium silicate hydrates and calcium silicate aluminate hydrates, including Zn- and U-bearing and Cd-rich compounds, Si-bearing hydrated compounds after calcium uranates, and basic Cd chlorides. The empirical formula of the holotype tululite (a mean of 32 analyses) is (Ca13.29Cd0.75)Σ14.04(Al5.46Zn5.20Fe3+ 2.23Si0.95Mn3+ 1.01Mg0.78P0.41)Σ16.04O36. Tululite is cubic, space group F23; a = 14.9346(4) A; V = 3331.07(15) A3, Z = 4. The strongest lines of the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern [d, A – (I obs )] are: 2.874(57), 2.640 (100), 2.524(42), 2.278(41), 1.760(54), 1.725(25), 1.524(33), 1.500(33). The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to wR2 = 0.0672 on the basis of 913 unique reflections with I 0 > 2σ(I). Tululite belongs to a group of compounds with the general formula Ca14 MT 15O35+x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), and is a new structure type. The tetrahedral framework of tululite structure is formed by T7O13 secondary building units (SBU), which consist of four corner-linked tetrahedra sharing a common oxygen atom and three tetrahedra sharing two O atoms with the neighbor SBU. Ca2+ cations occupy three positions; two of them also contain a minor amount of Cd2+. The Ca sites surround an island (Fe3+,Al)O6 octahedron and a (Si,P)O4 tetrahedron in the centers of framework cages at the junction of eight SBUs. The (Fe3+,Al)O6 octahedron is coordinated by fourteen Ca positions into a 6-capped cube, whereas the (Si,P)O4 tetrahedron is coordinated by six Ca positions into a regular octahedron. The structural formula of tululite is Ca14{Fe3+O6}M1[(Si,P)O4]T1[(Al,Zn)7O13]2 T2-T4. The mineral is yellow with greenish tint, transparent with vitreous luster, non-fluorescent under ultraviolet light, and showing neither parting nor cleavage; Mohs hardness is 6.5. The density calculated on the basis of the empirical formula is 3.826 g/cm3. Its Raman spectrum shows strong bands at 522, 550 and 636 cm−1 and weak bands at 199, 260, 295, 456, and 754 cm−1.

Flavanols and Flavonols in the Nuclei of Conifer Genotypes with Different Growth

Flavanols and flavonols of mitotic and post-mitotic nuclei in needles of Taxus baccata L., Tsuga canadensis L., and slow growing dwarf genotypes of both genera are investigated histochemically. The flavanols of nuclear chromatins and in the vacuoles stain blue with the p-dimethylamino-cinnamaldehyde (DMACA) reagent. Flavonols do not react with the reagent but owing to their UV absorbance they can be seen as bright yellow pigments. The nuclei in the photomicrographs obtained by microscopy were measured for flavanols at 640 nm. The vigorously sprouting Taxus baccata L. displays the most rapid cell cycling of the needles and the nuclei reveal clear blue and white mosaic structures. The flavanol component of Taxus baccata nuclei remains relatively stable most of the growing season. The dwarf genotypes also display fairly blue stained meristematic nuclei during the intense spring flush. However, after the spring flush and towards mid-summer the nuclear flavanols slowly decrease in parallel with a gradual increase in yellow staining nuclear flavonols. A mixture of blue stained flavanols and yellow flavonols results in greenish coloration of the nuclei. The greenish tint becomes more pronounced when the parenchyma cells mature and age. At the same time, the cytoplasm of the dwarf genotypes also begins to attain a more yellow tint. This trend continues towards mid-summer and autumn, particularly in the nana genotypes. It would appear that the yellow staining flavonols are linked to restricted growth conditions. In the present study, it becomes evident that the species-typical endogenous growth potential is related to both flavanol and flavonol allocation into the nuclei. The vigorously growing species of Taxus and Tsuga have a higher capacity for recruitment of flavanols into the nuclei than the very slow growing dwarf species.

Chovanite, Pb15-2xSb14+2xS36Ox (x ∼ 0.2), a new sulphosalt species from the Low Tatra Mountains, Western Carpathians, Slovakia

Chovanite, a new representative of the group of oxysulphosalts of Pb and Sb was found in three hydrothermal deposits of antimony ore, Dubrava, Male ´ ˇ Zelezne ´, and Klacianka, situated on the northern slopes of the Low Tatra Mountains, Slovakia. It is associated with other Pb-Sb sulphosalts, especially boulangerite, robinsonite and dadsonite. In reflected light, chovanite is white, bireflectance is distinct already in air. Pleochroism is present; colour varies from white with a yellowish green tint (darkest position) to white with a faint bluish tint (lightest position). Reflectance values in air are Rmax -R min (%) (l nm): 43.6-37.7 (470), 43.0-36.7 (546), 41.3-35.4 (589), 39.2-34.0 (650). Anisotropy is moderate to strong both in air and in oil, with blue grey to brown grey polarization colours. Internal reflections and twinning are absent. The optical properties are very similar to boulangerite. Micro-indentation hardness is 222.5 with a range 213-238. Derived Mohs hardness is 3. Cleavage is good, parallel to the c axis. Simplified chemical formula based on electron-microprobe analyses is Pb14.42(35)Sb14.33(11)S36.04(23), Z ¼ 4, which corresponds to Pb 50.74, Sb 29.63, S 19.62, total 100.00 wt%. No other elements exceed detection limits; chlorine is absent and oxygen was not measured. Structural formula is Pb15-2xSb14þ2xS36Ox (Z ¼ 4) for which the above mean of microprobe measurement data and the structure refinement give the value of x equal to � 0.2. Density (calc.) is 7.14 g/cm 3 . Crystal system is monoclinic, space group C2/m, lattice parameters a ¼ 48.189(48) A ˚ , b ¼ 4.1104(40) A ˚ , c ¼ 34.235(35) A ˚ , b ¼ 106.059(15) � , V ¼ 6517(11) A ˚ 3 , Z ¼ 4. Chovanite belongs to a sulphosalt family of boxwork structures, together with pellouxite, scainiite, pillaite, marruccite, vurroite, neyite, and several synthetic sulphosalts. Its crystal structure contains 11 independent lead sites, 13 coordination polyhedra of antimony, some of them with Sb sites split into two partially occupied non-overlapping positions, and five mixed Pb, Sb sites. The boxwork structure of chovanite is formed by a combination of three types of structural modules: (a) continuous walls with a complex structure of rod-layer type; these walls are interconnected by (b) rod-like partitions, and the resulting box-like channels (c) are filled by still another type of structure rods. Chovanite has the largest box-like channel system and infill elements known at present. In spite of differences in chemical composition, chovanite is structurally closest to pellouxite (Cu,Ag)2Pb21Sb23S55ClO which has a moderately large boxwork channel system.

ONDRUSITE, CaCu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2{middle dot}10H2O, A NEW MINERAL SPECIES FROM THE JACHYMOV ORE DISTRICT, CZECH REPUBLIC: DESCRIPTION AND CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE DETERMINATION

Ondrusite, CaCu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 . 10H2O, is a new supergene mineral species from the Geister vein (Rovnost mine) and the Geschieber vein (Svornost mine), at the Jachymov (St. Joachimsthal) ore district, Czech Republic. It is commonly associated with lindackerite, geminite, lavendulan, slavkovite, strashimirite, olivenite, picropharmacolite and kottigite. It forms white, whitish green, grey-green or apple-green crystalline crusts or aggregates composed of fine platy or lath-shaped translucent crystals up to 2 mm in size, on fissures of partly weathered mineralized quartz veins. It has a white to greyish white streak with a greenish tint, and a vitreous luster; it does not fluoresce under both short- and long-wave ultraviolet light. Cleavage on {001} is perfect, the Mohs hardness is similar to 2-3, and the mineral is very brittle with an irregular fracture. Ondrusite is triclinic, space group P-1, a 6.432(1), b 7.986(1), c 10.827(1) angstrom, alpha 85.75(1), beta 81.25(1), gamma 85.04(1)degrees, V 546.6(1) angstrom3, Z = 1. The chemical analyses by electron microprobe and the thermal analysis for H2O yielded MgO 0.42, CaO 5.27, NiO 0.03, CoO 0.08. CuO 29.90, PbO 0.16, P2O5 0.33, As2O5 44.92, H2O 19.40, for a total of 100.51 wt.%. The crystal structure of ondrusite was solved by direct method and refined to a R1 index of 9.80% based on all 2888 reflections collected on a single-crystal diffractometer with MoKalpha X-radiation. The crystal structure consists of CuO6-AsO4-AsO3OH chains two polyhedra thick that form sheets connected through the bridging CaO6 octahedra. In the sheet-to-sheet bonding, CaO6 octahedra and AsO4 groups are involved, whereas the AsO3OH groups bond the CuO6 polyhedra only. One other H2O group is located between the sheets.

LEAD-ANTIMONY SULFOSALTS FROM TUSCANY (ITALY). XI. THE NEW MINERAL SPECIES PARASTERRYITE, Ag4Pb20(Sb14.5As9.5) 24S58, AND ASSOCIATED STERRYITE, Cu(Ag,Cu)3Pb19(Sb,As)22(As-As)S56, FROM THE POLLONE MINE, TUSCANY, ITALY

The new mineral species parasterryite has been discovered in the Pollone barite – pyrite – (Pb–Zn–Ag) deposit at Valdicastello Carducci, near Pietrasanta, in the Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy. It forms acicular crystals up to 4 × 0.3 mm in vugs in quartz–barite veins. Sterryite (second world occurrence) also is present. The associated sulfides and sulfosalts are pyrite, sphalerite and various Sb–As sulfosalts. Parasterryite is black and metallic. Under the microscope, it is white with weak pleochroism; anisotropism is distinct, with greenish and brownish tints. Data on maximum and minimum reflectances for the COM wavelengths are [λ (nm), R air , R oil (%)]: 470: 35.1, 40.8 and 19.4, 22.2, 546: 33.5, 39.3 and 19.3, 21.7, 589: 32.7, 38.2 and 18.7, 21.1, 650: 31.4, 36.5 and 17.3, 19.5. Hardness VHN 10 = 238 kg/mm 2 . An electron-microprobe analysis gave (in wt.%, mean result of 32 spot analyses): Cu 0.09(2), Ag 4.36(6), Hg 0.15(2), Pb 47.00(18), Sb 19.57(30), As 7.73(21), S 20.56(7), total 99.46(23). A single-crystal X-ray study of parasterryite indicates monoclinic symmetry, space group P 2 1 / c , with a 8.3965(5), b 27.9540(4), c 43.8840(13) A, β 90.061(12)°, V = 10300(3) A 3 . The main powder-diffraction lines [ d in A( I )( hkl )] are: 3.62(100)(075, 0112, 234, 234), 3.42(45) (244, 244), 3.35(95)(0113), 3.23(65)(078), 3.01(45)(239, 239), 2.945(85)(088), 2.885(80), 1.916(45). The name parasterryite reflects its close structural relationship with sterryite. Sterryite is more abundant than parasterryite. Electron-microprobe analyses of two samples gave: 1) Sb-rich sterryite (wt.%): Cu 1.27(1), Ag 2.19(11), Hg 0.55(5), Tl 0.56(8), Pb 44.76(25), Bi 0.26(7), Sb 24.71(11), As 5.33(9), S 20.47(11), total 100.10(39), and 2) Sb-poor sterryite: Cu 0.73(4), Ag 4.12(13), Pb 44.58(16), Sb 20.84(22), As 8.27(12), S 20.92(7), total 99.47(15). The unit cell of Sb-rich sterryite is: a 8.1891(1), b 28.5294(13), c 42.98(2) A, β 94.896(8)°, V = 10005(5) A 3 (space group P 2 1 / n ). It presents a powder diagram close to that of sterryite from Madoc, Ontario, the type locality. The crystal structures of sterryite and parasterryite (not described here) are very similar, and represent a limiting case of homeotypy; they are also expanded homologues of owyheeite. The structural formula of parasterryite is based on 48 cations and 58 S, ideally Ag 4 Pb 20 (Sb 14.5 As 9.5 ) ∑24 S 58 ( Z = 4). The structural formula of sterryite is based on 47 cations and 56 S, with an (As–As) 4+ dimer [ d (As–As) = 2.64 A] and a specific Cu site, ideally Cu(Ag,Cu) 3 Pb 19 (Sb,As) 22 (As–As)S 56 ( Z = 4). The presence of the As–As dimer in sterryite indicates its formation with a lower f (S 2 ) than parasterryite, which may also explain the formation of some rare Pb–Sb–As sulfosalts at Madoc.

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.

SLAVKOVITE, Cu13(AsO4)6(AsO3OH)4{middle dot}23H2O, A NEW MINERAL SPECIES FROM HORNI SLAVKOV AND JACHYMOV, CZECH REPUBLIC: DESCRIPTION AND CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE DETERMINATION

Slavkovite, Cu13(AsO4)6(AsO3OH)4 . 23H2O, is a newly discovered supergene mineral from the Geschieber vein, Svornost mine at the Jachymov (St. Joachimsthal) ore district, Czech Republic, commonly associated with lavendulan, geminite, lindackerite and ondrusite. It forms coatings of pale green rosettes up to 1 mm across or individual spherical aggregates up to 5 mm across. Individual acicular to lath-like crystals are up to 1 mm long and 0.05 mm thick, and are colorless with a greenish tint. Slavkovite is pale green, translucent (aggregates) to colorless with a greenish tint, transparent (crystals). It has a white streak and a vitreous luster, and does not fluoresce under both short-and long-wave ultraviolet light. The cleavage on (011) is perfect, and on (010), it is good. The Mohs hardness is similar to 3.5-4; slavkovite is very brittle, with an irregular fracture. The all structural and chemical data are given in the paper.

Veselovskyite, triclinic (Zn,Cu,Co)Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 9H2O, a Zn-dominant analogue of lindackerite

Veselovskýite, (Zn,Cu,Co)Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 . 9H2O, is a new supergene mineral from the Geister vein, Mine Rovnost at the Jachymov ore district (St. Joachimsthal), Czech Republic, commonly associated with strashimirite and blue amorphous Cu arsenate. It forms aggregates, up to 8 x 5 x 1 mm in size, consisting of lath-like to thin-tabular crystals, up to 1 mm long, commonly forming complicated intergrowths, no twinning was observed. Veselovskyite is translucent (aggregates) to transparent (crystals), colourless to greyish white (with a slight greenish tint). It has a greyish white streak with a greenish tint, a vitreous luster, does not fluoresce under both short- and long-wave ultraviolet light. Cleavage on (001) is perfect, Mohs hardness is similar to 2-3, and veselovskyite is very brittle with an irregular fracture and calculated density 3.28 g/cm3. All structural and chemical data are given in the paper.

MINERALOGICAL DATA ON ANGELAITE, Cu2AgPbBiS4, FROM THE LOS MANANTIALES DISTRICT, CHUBUT, ARGENTINA

Angelaite, ideally Cu2AgPbBiS4, occurs as a hypogene mineral in polymetallic ores at the Angela groups of veins in the mining district of Los Manantiales, in the province of Chubut, Argentina. The new mineral species is predominantly associated with pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, hematite, native gold and galena; less common associates are aikinite, wittichenite, miharaite and cervelleite. Angelaite forms subhedral, commonly oriented inclusions in galena; these may attain a size of up to 200 x 50 mm. The mineral is grey in color with a brownish tint, opaque, and lacks internal reflections. It has a metallic luster and a dark grey streak. The VHN10 ranges between 245 and 263 kg/mm(3) (mean 253), corresponding to a Mohs hardness of 3 1/2. In plane-polarized light, it is strongly bireflectant and pleochroic from light grey with a brownish tint to light cream with a greenish tint. Angelaite is strongly anisotropic, with rotation tints in shades of pale grey, deep green and deep blue. We provide the measured values of reflectance in air and oil. The average of 23 electron-microprobe analyses is: Cu 16.7(3), Ag 13.4(2), Pb 27.8(6), Bi 26.6(5), S 16.0(2), total 100.5(5) wt.%, equivalent to Cu2.07Ag0.97Pb1.05Bi1.00S3.91. The ideal formula (on the basis of nine atoms) is Cu2AgPbBiS4, which requires Cu 16.31, Ag 13.84, Pb 26.58, Bi 26.81, S 16.45, total 100 wt.%. Angelaite is orthorhombic, with a 12.734(5), b 4.032(1), c 14.633(5) angstrom, V 751.8(5) angstrom(3), space group Pnma and Z = 4. The calculated density is 6.934 g/cm(3). It is a homeotype of galenobismutite, with Cu and Ag replacing one of the Bi positions in a complicated way. The strongest eight lines in the calculated powder-diffraction pattern [d in angstrom(I)(hkl)] are 3.672(100)(032), 3.660(64)(004), 3.407(60)(120), 3.319(62) ((1) over bar 21), 3.317(62)(121), 3.111(69)(041), 3.022(72)((1) over bar 13) and 3.017(72)(113). The mineral is named after the location. Both the mineral and its name were approved by the CNMNC (IMA #2003-064).

EPR and luminescence data on the nitrogen aggregation in diamonds from Snap Lake dyke system

More than 200 samples of diamonds from the Snap Lake dyke system in Canada were studied in details using optical and EPR spectroscopy. About 30% of them were colorless or slightly greenish tinted and were related to IaB type with a high aggregation level of defects: N3 (N 3V), B nitrogen centers (N 4V 0) and clusters of interstitials (B′ centers). Traces of heavy plastic deformation in the crystals were found by X-ray techniques. Visual examination of photoluminescence (PL) of another batch of samples shows one type emission: a blue core surrounded by a green shell. As a rule these diamonds were colored in brownish to greenish tints and belong to the IaA type containing predominantly N–N nitrogen aggregates. Specific features of type IaB diamonds are a dominant broad line in the P2 EPR spectrum and an unusually high concentration of nitrogen in a single substitutional form, N S 0. We suggest that this uncommon combination was produced naturally by the destruction of B-centers (N 4V 0) during plastic deformation. When IaA and IaB diamonds are heated, movement of dislocations throughout the crystal causes further decomposition of the complicated nitrogen defects (A, B), producing simpler nitrogen forms: P1, P2 and H3 centers. Analysis of light illumination effects on the IaB type diamonds revealed that some of these defects are in different charge states and the color of plastically deformed crystals is believed to be due to the charge transfer between the nitrogen defects and the dislocation core. Results of the current study suggest that a line broadening in P2/N3 and H3 systems and thus unusual ratio between strengths of the zero phonon lines and vibronic bands in PL spectra are related to the lattice distortion because of nearby dislocations. The sharp 1332 cm − 1 IR peak in these samples is due to N S + rather than to B-centers. The PL 490.7 nm center, most manifesting itself in plastically deformed IaA diamonds, is first shown to be always accompanied by PL blue systems at 406 and 423 nm and to correlate with EPR signal from dangling bonds in the dislocation cores.

Sunglasses, Traffic Signals, and Color Vision Deficiencies

To determine (a) the effect of different sunglass tint colorations on traffic signal detection and recognition for color normal and color deficient observers, and (b) the adequacy of coloration requirements in current sunglass standards. Twenty color-normals and 49 color-deficient males performed a tracking task while wearing sunglasses of different colorations (clear, gray, green, yellow-green, yellow-brown, red-brown). At random intervals, simulated traffic light signals were presented against a white background at 5 degrees to the right or left and observers were instructed to identify signal color (red/yellow/green) by pressing a response button as quickly as possible; response times and response errors were recorded. Signal color and sunglass tint had significant effects on response times and error rates (p < 0.05), with significant between-color group differences and interaction effects. Response times for color deficient people were considerably slower than color normals for both red and yellow signals for all sunglass tints, but for green signals they were only noticeably slower with the green and yellow-green lenses. For most of the color deficient groups, there were recognition errors for yellow signals combined with the yellow-green and green tints. In addition, deuteranopes had problems for red signals combined with red-brown and yellow-brown tints, and protanopes had problems for green signals combined with the green tint and for red signals combined with the red-brown tint. Many sunglass tints currently permitted for drivers and riders cause a measurable decrement in the ability of color deficient observers to detect and recognize traffic signals. In general, combinations of signals and sunglasses of similar colors are of particular concern. This is prima facie evidence of a risk in the use of these tints for driving and cautions against the relaxation of coloration limits in sunglasses beyond those represented in the study.

GERMINAÇÃO DE SEMENTES DE NIM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA A. JUSS) EM FUNÇÃO DO TIPO DE COLETA E DA COLORAÇÃO DOS FRUTOS

The neem tree is a species belonging to the family Meliaceae, whose seed, under normal conditions, have low longevity. This study aimed to evaluate the germination of seeds of neem depending on the type of collection of its fruits, if the ground or in the tree and depending on the colour. The treatments were: T1-giving tree in green tint, T2-giving flesh on the floor; T3-on the floor with remnants of flesh; T4-the tree of yellow; T5-the tree in different colours. The moisture content fruit and seeds were determinate. The germinated test in germinator the alternating temperature of 20-30ºC was conducted. It was used four replicates of twenty seeds per treatment, except for treatment of yellow that owned four replicates of fifteen seed. The characteristics were evaluated percentage and speed of emergence index (IVE) and percentage of normal seedlings. The results showed that the seeds of the neem fruits collected from the ground, that were partially with pulp, showed greater physiological quality.

GERMINAÇÃO DE SEMENTES DE NIM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA A. JUSS) EM FUNÇÃO DO TIPO DE COLETA E DA COLORAÇÃO DOS FRUTOS

The neem tree is a species belonging to the family Meliaceae, whose seed, under normal conditions, have low longevity. This study aimed to evaluate the germination of seeds of neem depending on the type of collection of its fruits, if the ground or in the tree and depending on the colour. The treatments were: T1-giving tree in green tint, T2-giving flesh on the floor; T3-on the floor with remnants of flesh; T4-the tree of yellow; T5-the tree in different colours. The moisture content fruit and seeds were determinate. The germinated test in germinator the alternating temperature of 20-30oC was conducted. It was used four replicates of twenty seeds per treatment, except for treatment of yellow that owned four replicates of fifteen seed. The characteristics were evaluated percentage and speed of emergence index (IVE) and percentage of normal seedlings. The results showed that the seeds of the neem fruits collected from the ground, that were partially with pulp, showed greater physiological quality.

BARAHONAITE-(Al) AND BARAHONAITE-(Fe), NEW Ca-Cu ARSENATE MINERAL SPECIES, FROM MURCIA PROVINCE, SOUTHEASTERN SPAIN, AND GOLD HILL, UTAH

The new mineral species barahonaite-(Fe) and barahonaite-(Al), simplified as (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe 3+ ,Al) 12 Fe 3+ 2 (AsO 4 ) 8 (OH) x · n H 2 O and (Ca,Cu,Na,Al) 12 Al 2 (AsO 4 ) 8 (OH) x · n H 2 O, respectively, occur at the Dolores prospect in Murcia Province, southeastern Spain. Barahonaite-(Al) also occurs at the former Gold Hill mine in Tooele County, Utah. The minerals form beads, coalesced beads, and crusts of submillimetric thickness whose surfaces commonly glisten because of the presence of plates, up to 50 μm in diameter (Utah), and razor-thin, tabular, composite crystals, up to 20 μm long (Spain). Barahonaite-(Al) is pale blue, brittle, transparent to translucent, soft, nonfluorescent, and has a white streak and D meas 3.03 g/cm 3 ; barahonaite-(Fe) is similar, but is yellow with a greenish tint and has a white to pale yellow streak. Both minerals are readily soluble in 10% HCl. Barahonaite-(Fe) is biaxial negative, α 1.664(2), β ≈ γ, γ 1.677(2), 2 V meas 45–80°; the indices of refraction of barahonaite-(Al) are α 1.616(2), γ 1.622(2). The compositions for barahonaite-(Fe) and barahonaite-(Al) from Spain, as determined with an electron microprobe, are, respectively, Na 2 O 2.07, 1.65, MgO 0.14, 0.00, CaO 12.96, 15.71, CuO 12.41, 14.59, Al 2 O 3 1.71, 9.52, Fe 2 O 3 13.78, 0.10, SiO 2 0.33, 0.14, P 2 O 5 0.42, 0.35, As 2 O 5 41.18, 42.16, SO 3 0.29, 1.24, Cl 0.91, 0.06, H 2 O (by difference) 14.01, 14.49, which correspond to (Ca 4.95 Cu 3.34 Na 1.43 Mg 0.07 Fe 3+ 1.70 Al 0.72 ) ∑12.21 Fe 3+ 2.00 [(As 0.96 P 0.02 S 0.01 Si 0.01 )O 4 ] 8 [(OH) 6.82 Cl 0.55 ] ∑7.37 ·13.2H 2 O and to (Ca 5.75 Cu 3.77 Na 1.09 Al 1.84 Fe 3+ 0.03 ) ∑12.48 Al 2.00 [(As 0.94 S 0.04 P 0.01 Si 0.01 )O 4 ] 8 [(OH) 7.95 Cl 0.04 ] ∑7.99 ·12.5H 2 O for X O 4 = 8. Indexing of the powder-diffraction patterns gave a 10.161(7), b 22.39(2), c 10.545(10) A, β 93.3(1)° for barahonaite-(Fe), and a 9.964(3), b 22.43(1), c 10.555(6) A, β 92.76(6)° for barahonaite-(Al). The strongest lines in the powder pattern [ d in A( I )( hkl )] are 22.0(100) (010), 11.2(70)(020), 5.068(20)(200), 3.345(20)(023, 310), 2.763(30)(053), 2.659(20)(172), and 2.541(20)(400) for barahonaite- (Fe), and 22.0(100)(010), 11.16(70)(020), 4.983(50)(200), and 3.333(45)(250,113) for barahonaite-(Al). The compositions and X-ray data suggest a possible overall relationship to the smolianinovite group, and a close relationship between attikaite and barahonaite-(Al). The new name barahonaite-(Fe) honors Antonio Barahona (b. 1937) of Madrid, Spain, who collected the original specimens, and barahonaite-(Al) is the Al-dominant analog of barahonaite-(Fe).

Paratooite-(La), a new lanthanum-dominant rare-earth copper carbonate from Paratoo, South Australia

AbstractParatooite-(La) is a new lanthanum-dominant rare-earth copper carbonate from the Paratoo copper mine, near Yunta, Olary district, South Australia. Paratooite-(La) occurs as sheaves and radiating sprays of blade-like to tabular pale blue crystals in thin fissures in a slaty country rock. Individual crystals are typically 50–200 μm in maximum dimension but &lt;5 μm thick. Associated minerals include donnayite-(Y), kamphaugite-(Y), and bastnäsite-(La). Electron microprobe and CHN analyses gave: La2O3 26.47; Pr2O3 7.74; Nd2O3 8.15; Sm2O3 0.66; Gd2O3 0.85; Y2O3 0.72; CaO 7.57; SrO 3.15; Na2O 3.3; CuO 5.77; F 0.24; CO2 32.05; NO2 1.12; -O=F -0.10; sum 100.03, yielding an empirical formula of (La3.54Ca2.94Na2.32Nd1.05Pr1.03Sr0.66Y0.14Gd0.10Sm0.08)Σ11.86Cu1.58(C15.84N0.53)O47.76F0.24. The simplified formula is (REE ,Ca,Na,Sr)6Cu(CO3)8 or possibly REE3(Ca,Sr)2NaCu(CO3)8. The mineral is pale turquoise-blue to pale blue in colour, transparent, with a pearly to vitreous lustre and a pale blue streak. No cleavage was observed but the morphology and TEM studies indicate a cleavage parallel to ﹛100﹜. The Mohs hardness is estimated to be 4. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder pattern are [dobs (Iobs) (hkl )]: 5.047 (53) (200); 4.786 (49) (021); 3.957 (43) (220); 3.468 (43) (012, 221); 2.927 (100) (202); 2.530 (52) (241); 2.344 (22) (420,103); 2.232 (20) (421). A synchrotron powder diffraction pattern was indexed on a primitive orthorhombic cell with a = 10.0862(5), b = 12.8088(6), c = 7.2360(4) Å, V= 934.8(1) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure of the new mineral could not be determined but powder diffraction data indicate the space group is probably P 222, Pmmm , P 2221 or Pmm2. The measured density is 3.68(3) g/cm3 and the calculated density is 3.78 g/cm3. Paratooite-(La) is biaxial negative with α = 1.605(3), β = 1.696(3) and γ = 1.752(2); pleochroism is medium strong; X very pale bluish, Y and Z bluish (with greenish tint) with absorption Z ≈ Y &gt;&gt; X. Paratooite-(La) is a supergene mineral which precipitated from mildly basic carbonated groundwaters. The mineral is named for the type locality.

Niksergievite, [Ba1.33Ca0.67Al(CO3)(OH)4][Al2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2]{middle dot}nH2O, a new phyllosilicate related to the surite-ferrisurite series

Niksergievite, [Ba 1.33 Ca 0.67 Al(CO 3 )(OH) 4 ][Al 2 (AlSi 3 O 10 )(OH) 2 ]• n H 2 O, is a new phyllosilicate closely related to the surite-ferrisurite series. It was found at the −400 m level of the Tekeli Pb-Zn mine, southeast Kazakhstan (44° N, 78° E). The mineral occurs as curved plates 3–5 mm in size forming rosette-like aggregates up to 5 cm across. Associated minerals include calcite, quartz, dolomite, celsian, sphalerite, pyrite, barite, and montmorillonite. Niksergievite is white with a light greenish tint and pearly luster on cleavage planes. The streak is white and the mineral is non-fluorescent. The Mohs hardness is 1–1½. The cleavage is perfect (mica-like) on {001}. D m = 3.16 g/cm 3 and D x = 3.21 g/cm 3 . The IR spectrum shows the following peaks (* shoulder): 3665*, 3640, 3405, 1630, 1454, 1105*, 1080*, 1035, 1020*, 980*, 960*, 920*, 876, 835*, 750*, 704, 625*, 560*, 535, 474, and 417 cm −1 . Optically, the mineral is colorless, non-pleochroic, biaxial (–), 2 V = 0–10°, α= 1.580(2), β= 1.625(2), γ = 1.625(2), and X ~ c . The chemical composition (electron microprobe, CO 2 and H 2 O by TGA) is K 2 O 0.1, CaO 5.1, BaO 27.1, MgO 0.4, FeO 0.2, Al 2 O 3 24.8, SiO 2 28.7, CO 2 6.1, and H 2 O 8.3, with a total of 100.8 wt%. The empirical formula based on (Si + Al + Mg + Fe 2+ ) = 7 is (Ba 1.27 Ca 0.65 K 0.02 ) 1.92 (Al 3.49 Si 3.42 Mg 0.07 Fe 0.02 ) 7.00 O 10.00 (CO 3 ) 0.99 (OH) 6.20 •0.20H 2 O. The simplified formula is (Ba,Ca) 2 (Al,Si) 7 O 10 (CO 3 )(OH) 6 • n H 2 O and the proposed structural formula is [Ba 1.33 Ca 0.67 Al(CO 3 )(OH) 4 ][Al 2 (AlSi 3 O 10 )(OH) 2 ]• n H 2 O. The mineral is monoclinic, C 2/ c , C 2, or Cm , a 5.176(3), b 8.989(3), c 16.166(5) A, β 96.44(6)°, V 747.4(9) A 3 , Z = 2. The strongest reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are as follows [ d in A, ( I ) ( hkl )]: 16.1(40)(001), 4.49(90)(020), 3.68(60)(014,113), 2.585(100)(130, 201, 131), 2.230(90)(134,220), 2.069(80)(043), 1.692(60)( 311, 151,240). It is named in honor of Prof. Nikolai Grigorievich Sergiev (1901–1960) for his contributions to the geology of Kazakhstan.

Hydroponic Greenhouse Production of “Baby” Squash: Selection of Suitable Squash Types and Cultivars

Mini or “baby” vegetables have become increasingly popular items for restaurant chefs and retail sales. Squash (Cucurbita pepo) are generally open-field cultivated where climate, insect, and disease pressures create challenging conditions for growers and shippers who produce and market this delicate, immature fruit. In order to overcome these challenges, in Spring 2003 and 2004, 18 squash cultivars, including zucchini, yellow-summer, patty pan/scallop, and cousa types, were grown hydroponically in a passively ventilated greenhouse and compared for yield of “baby”-size fruit. Squash were graded as “baby” when they were less than 4 inches in length for zucchini, yellow-summer, and cousa types and less than 1.5 inches diameter for round and patty pan/scallop types. In both seasons, `Sunburst' (patty pan) produced the greatest number of baby-size fruit per plant, while `Bareket' (green zucchini) produced the least. The zucchini-types produced between 16 and 25 baby-size fruit per plant in 2003. The yellow summer squash-types produced on average 45 baby fruit per plant. The production of the patty pan/scallop types ranged from 50 to 67 baby-size fruit per plant depending on cultivar. The cousa types produced approximately 30 baby-size fruit. Total yields were lower in 2004 due to a shortened season. Squash plants will produce numerous high quality baby-sized fruit when grown hydroponically in a reduced pesticide environment of a greenhouse where they can be harvested, packaged, and distributed to buyers daily. The cultivars Hurricane, Raven, Gold Rush, Goldy, Sunray, Seneca Supreme, Supersett, Butter Scallop, Sunburst, Patty Green Tint, Starship, Magda, and HA-187 could be used for hydroponic baby squash production.

Watatsumiite, KNa2LiMn2V2Si8O24, a new mineral from the Tanohata mine, Iwate Prefecture, Japan

Watatsumiite, KNa2LiMn2V2Si8O24, the V- and Mn-analogue of neptunite, is found in metamorphosed manganese ore deposit of the Tanohata mine, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. The mineral is monoclinic, Cc, a = 16.450(16) A, b = 12.492(7) A, c = 9.995(8) A, β = 115.32(6)°, V = 1857(2) A3 and Z = 4. The seven strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [d (A), (I), (hkl)]: 9.58(84)(110), 4.52(85)(002), 3.52(63)(131), 3.19(100)(330, 132), 2.94(90) (223), 2.90(66)(222, 510) and 2.49(93)(441, 621). Electron microprobe analysis and laser ablation microprobe-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry gave SiO2 52.64, TiO2 3.13, VO2 15.10, FeO 0.35, MnO 12.28, MgO 1.61, CaO 0.03, BaO 0.88, Na2O 7.10, K2O 4.89, Li2O 1.6, total 99.61 wt.%, corresponding to (K0.94Ba0.05)Σ0.99Na2.08Li0.97(Mn1.57Mg0.36Fe0.04)Σ1.97(V1.66Ti0.36)Σ2.02Si7.97O24 on the basis of O = 24. Watatsumiite is transparent and yellowish green with vitreous luster. The streak is white with greenish tint. The cleavage is poor. The fracture is conchoidal and brittle. The hardness is VHN100 707-946 kg/mm2 (Mohs 51/2-6). The calculated density is 3.24 g/cm3. Watatsumiite has moderate pleochroism from yellowish tint to pale yellowish green, and is optically biaxial positive with 2V = 60(5)°, α = 1.686 (2), β (calc) = 1.694, γ = 1.720 (5), v > r perceptible. Watatsumiite occurs as short prismatic or massive aggregates in veinlets composed mainly of quartz, K-feldspar and potassicleakeite.

Niigataite, CaSrAl3(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH): Sr-analogue of clinozoisite, a new member of the epidote group from the Itoigawa-Ohmi district, Niigata Prefecture, central Japan

Niigataite, CaSrAl3(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH), is a new member of the epidote group. It is monoclinic, P21/m, a=8.890(4), b = 5, 5878(18), c = 10.211(4) A, b = 115.12(3)°, V = 459.3(3)A3 and Z = 2. The 8 strongest X-ray powder diffractions are dobs(A)(I/I0)(hkl): 2.90(100)(113), 2.79(48)(020), 2.70(26)(013), 3.22(25)(201), 2.11(24)(221), 2.60(24)(311), 5.05(23)(102) and 1.397(22)(040). Electron microprobe analysis gave the composition SiO2 35.49, TiO2 0.75, Al2O3 24.86, Fe2O3 7.08, MnO 0.22, MgO 0.07, CaO 14.09, SrO 14.75, H2O(calc.) 1.77 total 99.08 wt%, corresponding to a formula Ca1.00(Sr0.72Ca0.28)Σ1.00(Al2.48Fe0.45Ti0.05Mn0.02Mg0.01)Σ3.01Si3.00O13. H calculated on the basis of H = 1 and O = 13 per unit formula. It is transparent, pale gray with a yellowish green tint. Cleavage is perfect on one direction. Streak is white. The Vickers microhardness is 642-907 kg/mm2 (100g load) corresponding to Mohs’ 5-5.5. The calculated density is 3.63 g/cm3. It occurs as anhedral grains in close association with chlorite and diaspore in druse of prehnite rock in the seashore of Miyabana, Ohmi Town, Niigata Prefecture, central Japan. Niigataite is considered to be crystallized under the presence of Sr-rich metamorphic solution in the late stage of the formation of prehnite rock. Sr enrichment is caused by crystallization of prehnite, which is the most abundant phase having no acceptability of Sr.

Electrochemical formation and characterization of copper oxygenous compounds in alumina template from ethanolamine solutions

Peculiarities of Cu, Cu(OH) 2, Cu 2O, and CuO a.c. deposition into the porous alumina template from various triethanolamine (TEA) solutions were studied using anodic stripping, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), XRD and Raman spectroscopy. Copper deposition into the porous alumina template mainly in the metallic form and, as a consequence, coloring them in cherry tints was found only from the acid solutions. The Raman vibrational spectrum of porous alumina a.c. treated in weakly acidic Cu(II)–TEA solutions (pH 4.1–5.3) and colored in greenish tint was found to be consisted of two main peaks located at 519–522 and 613–619 cm −1 what is characteristic of Cu 2O lattice vibrations. The additional peak located at about 365 cm −1 was detected in the spectrum of alumina colored in gray, obtained from neutral to alkaline solutions, what is indicative of CuO codeposition with Cu 2O. These results were confirmed by FTIR and X-ray absorption spectra clearly discernible absorption peaks of Cu 2O, CuO, and Cu(OH) 2 depending on the composition of Cu(II)–TEA solution used.