Semi-quantitative X-ray Diffraction Research Articles

Lowering of the kinetic barrier of clay-mineral reactions along a seismogenic fault: Example from the Nankai subduction zone, Japan

An analysis of clay minerals in core samples around the megasplay fault of the Nankai Trough, Japan, recovered during the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment reveals a local progression of the smectite-to-illite conversion (S–I) reaction in the slip zone, possibly associated with local thermogenesis caused by seismic slip on the fault. Our semiquantitative X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrates that the illite content in mixed-layer illite/smectite is ∼15% higher in the gouge than in the host sediments. The thermal history of the fault, constrained in a previous study, requires a reduction of the apparent activation energy by 20–30% compared with the literature value to explain the observed illitization. The Shirako Fault in the Miura–Boso accretionary complex, which is thought to have been activated in a tectonic setting similar to that of the megasplay fault of the Nankai Trough, also shows a 20–30% reduction in the apparent activation energy. These results suggest that the kinetic barrier of the smectite–illite reaction is lowered as a result of mechanochemical processes in seismogenic fault zones.

The starting stoichiometry, keys parameter to enhance the intrinsic microstructural and functional properties of synthesized hybrid nanocomposites chitosan/Na-montmorillonite/ZnO nanoparticlest type

To improve the intrinsic qualities of hybrid nanocomposite (NC), polymer, clay, and metallic oxide are combined. This study investigates the effects of starting stoichiometry variation on the microstructural and functional properties of synthesized hybrid NC composed of chitosan (CTS), Na-montmorillonite (MMT), and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). To carry out the synthesized process, a solution blending approach is used. A correlation of the outcomes from the several analyses methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Impedance spectroscopy (IS), and UV–VIS spectrophotometry ensures the accuracy of the analysis. Regardless of the initial stoichiometry rate, the microstructural analysis shows that NC can be successfully synthesized. The growth and changes in the intensity and sharpness of the characteristic reflections shown by the semiquantitative XRD analysis suggest that the synthesis process was certainly successful. The apparent structure aberration, caused by the stoichiometry fluctuation, is manifested as an XRD reflection position shift and varied intensity strength.The intercalation process and the exfoliation of "clay-particles" enclosing the organic fraction, according to TEM/EDX experiments, occurred as the clayey fraction's abundance surged. Despite the variable ratio approved at the start of the synthesis process, FTIR spectroscopy displays the polymer fraction's characteristic absorption bands. Synthesized NC has significant UV blocking properties while retaining good transparency in the visible range. This behavior may have its roots throughout the fact that the CS surface modification has induced the bandgap energy fluctuation of ZnO NPs. The photocatalytic activity of the produced NC is evaluated using MB degradation measurements. The outcomes are extremely positive for the sample with a starting stoichiometry almost equally distributed between CTS and ZnO (NPs). Results from the IS, for the selected sample, shows that synthesized NC exhibits semiconductor behavior,and as a dielectric material, the sample is dispersive with a power loss over a specific frequency range.

Pathogenic Potential of Respirable Spodumene Cleavage Fragments following Application of Regulatory Counting Criteria for Asbestiform Fibres

Health risks from exposure to lithium-bearing spodumene cleavage fragments are unknown. While asbestiform fibres can lead to fibrosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer, controversy remains whether non-asbestiform cleavage fragments, having equivalent dimensions, elicit similar pathologic responses. The mineralogy of respirable particles from two alpha (α)-spodumene concentrate grades (chemical and technical) were characterised using semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD). Particles were measured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the dimensions (length [L], diameter [D], aspect ratio [AR]) applied to regulatory counting criteria for asbestiform fibres. Application of the current World Health Organization (WHO) and National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) counting criteria, L ˃ 5 µm, D ˂ 3 µm, AR ˃ 3:1, to 10 SEM images of each grade identified 47 countable particles in the chemical and 37 in the technical concentrate test samples. Of these particles, 17 and 16 in the chemical and technical test samples, respectively, satisfied the more rigorous, previously used Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 (Western Australia [WA]) criteria, L ˃ 5 µm and D ≤ 1 µm. The majority of the countable particles were consistent with α-spodumene cleavage fragments. These results suggest elongated α-spodumene particles may pose a health risk. It is recommended the precautionary principle be applied to respirable α-spodumene particles and the identification and control of dust hazards in spodumene extraction, handling and processing industries be implemented.

Airborne hyperspectral characterisation of hydrothermal alteration in a regolith-dominated terrain, southern Gawler Ranges, South Australia

Key alteration minerals associated with epithermal and porphyry Cu–Au mineralisation have been successfully identified using HyMap airborne hyperspectral imagery in a regolith-dominated terrain in the southern Gawler Ranges, South Australia. Alteration assemblages were mapped using Spectral Feature Fitting, a spectral matching algorithm, identifying the spatial distribution of localised advanced argillic and broader argillic alteration. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was undertaken to independently identify the mineralogy of 57 surface soil and rock samples collected from the study area. This analysis confirmed the presence of key alteration minerals including alunite, pyrophyllite and dickite. The integration of spectral and XRD analytical techniques allowed interpretation of mineralogical patterns across the landscape. This study demonstrates that it is possible to identify surface alteration related to potential mineralisation using airborne hyperspectral imagery and semi-quantitative XRD even in a weathered regolith-dominated terrain. KEY POINTS Advanced argillic and argillic alteration identified through hyperspectral image analysis in a regolith-dominated terrain X-ray diffraction used to validate the presence of advanced argillic alteration minerals alunite, pyrophyllite and dickite in the landscape Relationship of advanced argillic and argillic alteration interpreted in two key landscape features in the context of a porphyry mineral system Demonstrates potential for detection of alteration signatures with airborne hyperspectral imagery in regolith-dominated terrains elsewhere

Characterization of Pb-Bearing Minerals in Polluted Soils from Closed Mine Sites

Lead is a toxic metal, and its characterization in contaminated soils is crucial to the success of a remediation, especially for the soil washing, one of most commonly used technologies. In this study, we propose a convenient approach that combines sedimentary hydro-classification with semi-quantitative powder X-ray diffraction analysis for characterizing the Pb-bearing minerals in soils. The approach was applied to two samples (YYm and YYu-1) collected from a closed Cu–Pb–Zn mine in the Tohoku region of Japan. The samples were taken from adjacent areas but had different appearances (YYm was a gray soil and YYu-1 was a creamy colored soil). The coarser YYm fractions had higher Pb contents than the finer YYm fractions, but the finer YYu-1 fractions (diameters < 32 μm) had higher Pb contents than the coarser YYu-1 fractions. The semi-quantitative powder X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the main Pb-containing minerals in the YYm and YYu-1 samples were galena and plumbojarosite, respectively. Tessier sequential extractions were also performed, and 1 M sodium acetate leached 21% and 65% of the Pb from the YYm and YYu-1 samples, respectively. This suggested that most of the Pb in the YYu-1 sample was ion-exchangeable and was more easily leached compared with that in the YYm sample. The findings indicate that it is important to accurately characterize the Pb-bearing minerals (especially naturally occurring Pb) present in contaminated soils before selecting appropriate remediation techniques and conditions.

Fabrication of Ni, Si and Mg Supersaturated Solid Solutions in Al by Mechanical Alloying

In this work, a comparison between the synthesis process of nanostructured Al base alloys modified with Si, Ni and Mg and the formation of their respective supersaturated solid solution is presented. The samples were obtained via Mechanical Alloying (MA) at a speed of 300 RPM for 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 h under an inert Ar atmosphere. Lattice parameter evolution, semiquantitative X-Ray Diffraction Analysis and SEM micrographs were correlated to determine the attained solubility in the Al matrix. The results showed that powder refinement and solubility rates are directly affected by the hardness of the solute element and the limiting solubility in equilibrium state respectively. Therefore the Al-Mg alloy achieved the highest solubility of the samples after 10 h of milling, meanwhile, the Al-Si alloy showed the lowest solubility even after 20 h of milling. Microstructural analyses by X-Ray Diffraction revealed that the lattice parameter showed different behavior depending on the alloy system, in some cases showing a deviation from the behavior predicted by Vegard's law. Finally, this work demonstrates that the successful synthesis of supersaturated solid solutions via MA is dependent on the alloy system as well as milling conditions.

Predictive Models of Mineralogy from Whole-Rock Assay Data: Case Study from the Productora Cu-Au-Mo Deposit, Chile

Abstract Mineralogy is a fundamental characteristic of a given rock mass throughout the mining value chain. Understanding bulk mineralogy is critical when making predictions on processing performance. However, current methods for estimating complex bulk mineralogy are typically slow and expensive. Whole-rock geochemical data can be utilized to estimate bulk mineralogy using a combination of ternary diagrams and bivariate plots to classify alteration assemblages (alteration mapping), a qualitative approach, or through calculated mineralogy, a predictive quantitative approach. Both these techniques were tested using a data set of multielement geochemistry and mineralogy measured by semiquantitative X-ray diffraction data from the Productora Cu-Au-Mo deposit, Chile. Using geochemistry, samples from Productora were classified into populations based on their dominant alteration assemblage, including quartz-rich, Fe oxide, sodic, potassic, muscovite (sericite)- and clay-alteration, and least altered populations. Samples were also classified by their dominant sulfide mineralogy. Results indicate that alteration mapping through a range of graphical plots provides a rapid and simple appraisal of dominant mineral assemblage, which closely matches the measured mineralogy. In this study, calculated mineralogy using linear programming was also used to generate robust quantitative estimates for major mineral phases, including quartz and total feldspars as well as pyrite, iron oxides, chalcopyrite, and molybdenite, which matched the measured mineralogy data extremely well (R2 values greater than 0.78, low to moderate root mean square error). The results demonstrate that calculated mineralogy can be applied in the mining environment to significantly increase bulk mineralogy data and quantitatively map mineralogical variability. This was useful even though several minerals were challenging to model due to compositional similarities and clays and carbonates could not be predicted accurately.

Chapter 13 Permian–Triassic felsic tuffs in South Island, New Zealand: significance for oceanic and active continental margin subduction

AbstractFelsic tuffs play an important role in the Permian–Triassic geology of the Eastern Province in South Island. In the Brook Street Terrane, primary felsic tuff is minor in the south (e.g. Takitimu Mountains) but abundant in the north (Grampian Formation, Nelson area). Felsic fallout tuff dominates one interval of the Maitai Group (Early Triassic Kiwi Burn Formation), south of the Alpine Fault, but is otherwise mainly redeposited by gravity flows. The Murihiku Terrane is characterized by two main intervals of felsic fallout tuff, the Middle Triassic Gavenwood Tuffs and the Late Triassic Bare Hill Tuff Zone, south of the Alpine Fault (e.g. Hokonui Hills and south Otago coast). Counterparts north of the Alpine Fault (Richmond Group) are mainly reworked, with terrigenous admixtures. Tuffaceous sediments are also abundant in the late Middle–early Late Triassic Willsher Group (south Otago coast). Based on combined field, petrographical, semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) and chemical evidence, the felsic tuffs of the Brook Street Terrane in the south are interpreted as small-scale eruptions of fractionated oceanic-arc-type magmas. In contrast, the Triassic felsic tuffs of the Murihiku Terrane, Willsher Group and Maitai Group erupted violently and episodically in proximal to distal segments of the SE Gondwana continental margin.

Dehydration-hydration reactivity of laumontite: analyses and tests for easy detection

AbstractHydration reactions are known to affect rock or aggregate stability in construction; laumontite is not usually considered to be a ‘problem-mineral’ though drill cores from the very low-grade metamorphic altered andesites and volcanoclastic rocks from Central Chile showed detachments of shotcrete in a tunnel exposed to periodic water flow, with expandable clay phases presumed to be responsible for the observed failure. Abundant laumontite detected in the cores may also be responsible for the detachment, however, resulting from the structural expansion and contraction in response to hydration and drying. Clay reactivity in construction projects is often tested on site by 30 days of ethylene glycol exposure, but adequate monitoring options for laumontite are not deployed. Options for laumontite characterization involving a combination of water immersion and slaking and modified oedometer-based expansibility tests were used here to observe the response to laumontite expansion pressure. All tests were formulated considering minimal implementation efforts for building sites or the easy availability of analytical and testing facilities.Laumontite was identified by optical microscopy, semiquantitative X-ray diffraction, and automated mineralogical analysis. A combination of the latter two methods provided reliable information about the presence of sub-microscopic laumontite and a visual impression of the textural arrangement of the zeolite in the rock.A slaking test based on four cycles of immersion followed by drying and final application of weight (simulated overburden) is best suited to indirect detection and for demonstrating rock reactivity due to the presence of laumontite. Rocks with laumontite show expansion when crushed, recompacted and fitted into an oedometer, but mineralogical information is required for adequate interpretation of the results.

NEAR-INFRARED EFFECTIVENESS ON DEGRADED CORE IN TROPICAL CLIMATES

In tropical climates, postdrilling oxidation of sulfide-rich core can severely degrade drill core, producing low-temperature iron oxyhydroxides, sulfates, and clays. Variable growth of these secondary minerals in exposed drill core, combined with the hydration and degradation of primary hydrothermal minerals, may lead to the production of spurious results in near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic studies. However, the NIR technique can remain an effective tool in assessing hydrothermal alteration, even in extremely degraded core. We have assessed the usefulness of the NIR technique on degraded core at the Ladolam gold deposit, Papua New Guinea. Here, we seek to determine whether the primary alteration mineralogy had been significantly transformed by postdrilling oxidation over several years of weathering. In doing so, the study tested whether NIR analysis can be an effective tool in the discrimination of primary hydrothermal minerals in degraded core. Our study was made possible using semiquantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD) analyses of a drill hole in 2004, where samples were collected at 50-m intervals. We subsequently repeated NIR and QXRD analyses on the same drill core in 2012. After nine years of storage, the drill core had degraded considerably, with the growth of jarosite and other sulfates. Despite this, XRD results from 2004 and 2012 show no major differences in the primary alteration mineralogy. Closely spaced NIR analyses were conducted at 1-m intervals to increase the chance of obtaining a spectrum of the primary mineralogy and to exclude secondary oxidation minerals. The drill core, where possible, was broken immediately prior to analysis to obtain a fresh surface. On average, over a 10-m interval, approximately 25% of the NIR spectra did not contain secondary minerals and relict primary alteration minerals could be detected. The remaining spectra were affected by the occurrence of secondary jarosite, gypsum, and/or residual water, but in most cases, the primary alteration mineralogy could be determined. We conclude that NIR analyses remain an effective tool in the construction of geological deposit models when logging degraded historic core, even for sulfide-rich core that has degraded in tropical environments.

주성분분석법을 활용한 황해 남동 이질대 퇴적물의 기원지 연구

황해 남동 이질대에서 채취된 51개의 표층퇴적물 시료와 황해로 유입되는 한국과 중국의 하천퇴적물 시료 33개에 대해서 반정량 X선회절분석법을 통한 점토광물의 상대적인 함량을 토대로 주성분분석을 도입하여 해양표층퇴적물의 기원지를 연구하였다. 전체 자료의 98% 이상을 반영하는 제1주 성분과 제2주성분을 이용하여 R 프로그램을 통해 주성분분석을 수행하였다. 황해 남동 이질대 퇴적물의 점토광물 함량은 남부 지역과 북부 지역에서 거의 차이가 나지 않으며, 성분도표상에서의 해양퇴적물 분포는 중국의 황하, 양쯔강 퇴적물보다 한국의 하천퇴적물과 더욱 근접한 양상을 보였다. 이러한 통계적 분석 결과를 바탕으로 황해 남동 이질대는 거의 모두가 한국 하천퇴적물로부터 유래했다는 것을 추정할 수 있다. 또한, 황해 남동 이질대에 한국 하천에서 유출되는 양보다 더 많은 퇴적물이 축적된 이유로는 퇴적물의 침식과 재동에 의한 것으로 판단된다. 주성분분석은 한반도 주변 해역 퇴적물의 기원지 연구에 유용하게 사용될 것으로 기대된다. In this study, we tried to determine the origin of fine-grained sediments in Southeastern Yellow Sea Mud patch (SEYSM) using principal component analysis coupled with semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis for 4 major clay minerals. We used 51 marine surface sediments from SEYSM and 33 surface sediments of rivers flowing into the Yellow Sea. We made bioplot diagram using R program with principal component 1 and component 2 because the two components might contain about 98% of all data. The content of each clay mineral in the south and north regions of SEYSM are almost similar. In the biplot, SEYSM sediments distribute close to Korean rivers sediments than Huanghe and Changjiang sediments. Based on these results, we suggest that SEYSM is originated from the Korean rivers sediments. The higher accumulation rate in the SEYSM compared to the sediment discharge from neighboring Korean rivers can be explained by erosion and reworking of surface sediments in this area. The principal component analysis can be used for the provenance research of marine sediments around the Korean Peninsula.

Mineralogical Phase Transition on Sandwich-like Structure of Clinky Pottery from Parthian Period, Iran

Parthian period (250 B.C.-224 A.C.) in the west of Iran is specified by appearance of Clinky pottery. In this study, Clinky pottery was investigated to evaluate the impact of raw materials and firing conditions (temperature and kiln atmosphere) on the sandwich structure of this type of pottery. Samples were mineralogically and chemically characterized with petrography, semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Hematite and magnetite in the matrix of these samples indicated that firing processe carried out under oxidation - reduction condition. High temperature products such as gehlenite, secondary anorthite, pyroxenes (enstatite-ferroan and diopside-ferroan), and pseudomullite, denote on firing temperature approximately between 950 to 1000°C. This study shows that kiln atmosphere has changed to reduction in a temperature of about 850 to 950˚C. In reduction conditions, vitrification occurs approximately in 50°C less than oxidation condition. Consequently, amorphous phase develops in the matrix. Formation of this phase helps to internal reducing and poor diffusion of oxygen to the matrix and therefore, good situation provides for stability of magnetite in dark-gray core. In the final stage of firing (ca. 1000°C), fast but controlled blowing of oxygen has happened. In this condition, iron ions in the vicinity of oxygen have changed to hematite and the color of surface became orange-brown. It seems that the appellation of this kind of pottery as Clinky (because of clink sound when it is knocked), is related to vitrification and formation of Si-O-Si polymeric structure that is the cause of strength in addition to clink sound.

통계적 주성분분석법을 활용한 제주 남서 이질대 퇴적물의 기원지 연구

제주 남서 이질대에서 채취된 138개의 해양표층퇴적물 시료와 황하와 양쯔강 하천퇴적물 시료에 대하여 반정량 X선회절분석법에 의한 점토광물 상대조성을 바탕으로 주성분분석을 이용하여 퇴적물의 기원지를 연구하였다. 제1주성분과 제2주성분이 전체 자료의 90% 이상을 설명하기 때문에 두 주성분만을 가지고 R프로그램을 이용하여 주성분분석을 실시하였다. 제주 남서 이질대 내 각각의 점토광물의 분포양상은 매우 복잡하지만, 전체적인 분포양상을 고려할 때, 스멕타이트와 카올리나이트는 서부지역에서 높은 함량을 보였고 일라이트와 녹니석은 동부지역에서 상대적으로 높은 값을 나타냈다. 제주 남서 이질대의 동부지역에서 보여주는 상대적으로 높은 일라이트와 녹니석 함량은 양쯔강 퇴적물과, 서부지역에서의 높은 스멕타이트와 카올리나이트 함량은 황하 퇴적물과 더 유사한 양상을 나타낸다. 이러한 통계 처리 결과를 바탕으로 제주 남서 이질대의 동부지역은 양쯔강에서 유래하였고 서부지역은 황하로부터 기원했음을 추정할 수 있다. 추후 퇴적물 기원지 연구에 주성분분석이 유용하게 활용될 것으로 기대한다. In this study, we tried to define the origin of fine-grained sediments in Southwestern Cheju Island Mud (SWCIM) using principal component analysis. We used relative clay mineral compositions using 138 marine surface sediments, 4 Huanghe sediments and 3 Changjiang river sediments by the semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis. We made bioplot diagram using R program with principal component 1 and component 2 because they might contain more than 90% of all data. Although the distribution pattern of each clay minerals in SWCIM is so intricate, smectite and kaolinite contents are high in the west region, but illite and chlorite contents are rich in the east region. In the biplot, the east region of SWCIM distribute around Changjiang river, whereas west region of SWCIM disperse around Huanghe. Our results might reveal that west region of SWCIM is mainly originated by Huanghe, but east region of SWCIM by Changjiang River.

In Vivo Behavior of a Custom-Made 3D Synthetic Bone Substitute in Sinus Augmentation Procedures in Sheep

In this study, the in vivo behavior of a custom-made three-dimensional (3D) synthetic bone substitute was evaluated when used as scaffold for sinus augmentation procedures in an animal model. The scaffold was a calcium phosphate ceramic fabricated by the direct rapid prototyping technique, dispense-plotting. The geometrical and chemical properties of the scaffold were first analyzed through light and electron scanning microscopes, helium picnometer, and semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction measurements. Then, 6 sheep underwent monolateral sinus augmentation with the fabricated scaffolds. The animals were euthanized after healing periods of 45 and 90 days, and block sections including the grafted area were obtained. Bone samples were subjected to micro computerized tomography, morphological and histomorphometric analyses. A complete integration of the scaffold was reported, with abundant deposition of newly formed bone tissue within the biomaterial pores. Moreover, initial foci of bone remodeling were mainly localized at the periphery of the implanted area after 45 days, while continuous bridges of mature lamellar bone were recorded in 90-day specimens. This evidence supports the hypothesis that bone regeneration proceeds from the periphery to the center of the sinus cavity. These results showed how a technique allowing control of porosity, pore design, and external shape of a ceramic bone substitute may be valuable for producing synthetic bone grafts with good clinical performances.

Evaluation of effect of reducing additives during vitrification via simulation and experiment

This study investigates how reducing additives governed the vitrification of prepared specimens. In the experiments, pure CaO/CaCO3 and SiO2 served as the major components of glassy matrix (basicity = mass ratio of CaO/SiO2 = 2/3) with doping of hazardous metals (Cr, Cu, and Ni). The substitution ratio of CaCO3 for CaO was used as an operating parameter. The specimens were vitrified at 1400°C and a sequential extraction protocol was used to determine the phase distribution of Cr, Cu, and Ni. The volume fractions of crystalline and amorphous phases were measured using semiquantitative x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. A commercial software package (HSC Chemistry 6.0) was used to simulate the experiment to acquire additional information. The simulation results showed the addition of CaCO3 generated CO and CO2 at high temperature. This reducing atmosphere might enhance Cu and Ni to be easily separated from slags and elevated the levels of Cu and Ni in ingots. At higher CaCO3 mol(%), the polymerization of silicate (from sorosilicate to inosilicate) in slag rose and the CaSiO3 amount increased. In addition, the immobilization of metals and the acid resistance of slags were improved. The results indicate that CaCO3 addition is favorable for increasing the metal level in ingots and the metal encapsulation in slag in vitrification. Implications: Vitrification techniques are often used to treat hazardous materials. The additives used in vitrification processes play an important role in vitrification. This study combines simulations (based on HSC Chemistry) and experiments to evaluate the effect of CaCO3 addition (creating a reducing atmosphere) on toxic metal stabilization in vitrification. This way, the effects of different parameters on toxic metal stabilization in vitrification can also be evaluated.

Integration of bed characteristics, geochemical tracers, current measurements, and numerical modeling for assessing the provenance of beach sand in the San Francisco Bay Coastal System

Abstract Over 150 million m3 of sand-sized sediment has disappeared from the central region of the San Francisco Bay Coastal System during the last half century. This enormous loss may reflect numerous anthropogenic influences, such as watershed damming, bay-fill development, aggregate mining, and dredging. The reduction in Bay sediment also appears to be linked to a reduction in sediment supply and recent widespread erosion of adjacent beaches, wetlands, and submarine environments. A unique, multi-faceted provenance study was performed to definitively establish the primary sources, sinks, and transport pathways of beach-sized sand in the region, thereby identifying the activities and processes that directly limit supply to the outer coast. This integrative program is based on comprehensive surficial sediment sampling of the San Francisco Bay Coastal System, including the seabed, Bay floor, area beaches, adjacent rock units, and major drainages. Analyses of sample morphometrics and biological composition (e.g., Foraminifera) were then integrated with a suite of tracers including 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd isotopes, rare earth elements, semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction mineralogy, and heavy minerals, and with process-based numerical modeling, in situ current measurements, and bedform asymmetry to robustly determine the provenance of beach-sized sand in the region.

Authigenic, detrital and diagenetic minerals in the Laguna Potrok Aike sediment sequence

The ∼100 m-long Laguna Potrok Aike sediment sequence yielded a record spanning the Last Glacial period to the Holocene. This paper presents and discusses two aspects of the mineralogy of the lake. The first aspect is based on a semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis of bulk and clay mineralogical assemblages. Minor mineralogical changes are observed throughout the glacial section suggesting relatively uniform sediment sources. The transition into the Holocene is characterized by increasing fluxes of endogenic calcite thought to relate to lower lake levels. The second aspect is based on analysis of uranium-series disequilibria in diagenetic vivianite from the glacial section. U-series ages were expected to yield minimum ages for the host-sediment. Unfortunately, very little authigenic U is present in vivianite grains. The low primary productivity of the lake and thus low organic carbon fluxes might have prevented the development of strong redox gradients at the water-sediment interface and thus reduced diagenetic U-uptake into the sediment. One vivianite sample, at a 56.9 m composite depth, yielded enough authigenic uranium to calculate a 230Th-age of 29.4 ± 5.9 ka (±2σ). This age is younger than the one indicated by the radiocarbon chronology. It is thus concluded that a relatively late diagenetic evolution of the U–Th system characterizes the recovered vivianite minerals. The authigenic U displays a very high excess in 234U (over 238U) with an activity ratio of 4.58 ± 0.58 (±2σ). It suggests that it originates from the transfer of highly fractionated U from surrounding detrital minerals through very low U-content pore waters.

Influence of iron on the occurrence of primary mullite in kaolin based materials: A semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction study

Iron-enriched reference kaolins (KGa-1b, KGa-2 and KF) were used to study the effect of iron on the development of mullite phases during the sintering of kaolin-based materials. Up to 1050 °C, primary mullite formation occurred at earlier temperature within iron-enriched kaolins than in the case of iron-free kaolins. At 1150 °C, the presence of ferric ions tended to promote the transformation of the spinel (γ-Al 2 O 3 -like) phase into primary mullite. This action was correlated with an enhancement of the diffusion mechanism of the main constitutive species of the samples (Al, Si). In the range 1300–1400 °C, iron-enriched kaolins exhibited an abnormal grain growth of secondary mullite crystals and a partial reduction of hematite (Fe 2 O 3 ) into magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ). These two iron compounds reacted with mullite and cristobalite, leading to the occurrence of eutectic liquids as expected from phase equilibrium diagrams.

황해 남동 이질대 퇴적물의 점토광물분포 및 특성

황해 남동 이질대 51정점(북부 25정점, 남부 25정점)에서 채취된 표층퇴적물과 황해로 유입되는 하천퇴적물 30정점에 대해서 반정량 X선회절분석법에 의하여 점토광물의 상대조성을 구하였으며 일라이트의 광물학적 특성에 대해서도 조사하였다. 점토광물 조성은 일라이트(61~75%), 녹니석(14~24%), 카올리나이트(9~14%), 스멕타이트(1~7%) 순으로 존재한다. 황해 남동 이질대의 북부 지역에서 카올리나이트 함량이 약간 높고, 스멕타이트 함량이 낮은 점을 제외하면, 북부와 남부 지역에서 점토광물 조성은 특별한 차이가 없다. 스멕타이트 함량은 일라이트 함량과 대체적으로 음의 상관관계를 가진다. 일라이트의 광물학적 특징들인 일라이트 결정도(0.18~0.24 <TEX>${\Delta}^{\circ}2{\theta}$</TEX>) 역시 북부와 남부 사이에 차이가 없으며, 매우 좁은 범위 내에 속한다. 이번 연구 결과는 황해 남동 이질대의 북부와 남부 퇴적물은 점토광물조성과 일라이트 특성이 거의 유사함을 지시한다. 황해 남동 이질대 퇴적물은 중국의 황하퇴적물보다 한국의 하천퇴적물과 유사한 특성을 가지지만, 추후 양쯔강 퇴적물을 포함한 조사가 필요할 것으로 판단된다. 점토광물 조성으로부터 황해 남동 이질대 퇴적물은 한국 서해안으로 유입되는 하천으로부터 매우 많은 양이 유래한 것으로 판단된다. 황해 남동 이질대의 매우 많은 퇴적물 공급량과 높은 퇴적 속도는 퇴적물들의 침식과 재동에 의한 것으로 간주된다. 황해 남동 이질대 주변의 조류와 지역적인 해류가 이 지역의 침식과 퇴적 과정에 중요한 영향을 미친 것으로 판단된다. In this study, we determined the relative clay mineral composition of 51 surface sediments from SEYSM (Southeastern Yellow Sea Mud) (northern part 25, southern part 26) and 30 river sediments inflow to Yellow Sea using the semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction analyses. In addition to we analyzed illite characteristics of the same samples. The clay-mineral assemblage is composed of illite (61~75%), chlorite (14~24%), kaolinite (9~14%), and smectite (1~7%), in decreasing order. The average composition of each clay mineral is not different from northern part to southern part of SEYSM except a little higher kaolinite and lower smectite content in northern part. Smectite content generally has reverse relationship with illite content. Mineralogical characteristics of illite such as illite crystallinity index also is not different between two areas and show very narrow range (0.18~0.24 <TEX>${\Delta}^{\circ}2{\theta}$</TEX>). Our results reveal that clay mineral composition and illite characteristics are nearly the same between northern and southern part of SEYSM. Characteristics of surface sediments in SEYSM is closer to Korean river sediments than Chinese Hanghe sediments, however it is necessary to investigate further study including Yangtze river sediments. This study conclude that most of surface sediments in SEYSM attribute to the supply of considerable amount of sediments from the nearby Korean rivers. The large sediment budget and high accumulation rate in the SEYSM can be explained by erosion and reworking of surface sediments in this area. Tidal and regional current system around SEYSM might contribute these erosional and depositional regimes.

Relationships between magnetic parameters, chemical composition and clay minerals of topsoils near Coimbra, central Portugal

Abstract. Magnetic measurements, mineralogical and geochemical studies were carried out on surface soil samples in order to find possible relationships and to obtain environmental implications. The samples were taken over a square grid (500 × 500 m) near the city of Coimbra, in central Portugal. Mass specific magnetic susceptibility ranges between 12.50 and 710.11 × 10−8 m3 kg−1 and isothermal magnetic remanence at 1 tesla values range between 253 and 18 174 × 10−3 Am−1. Chemical analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry shows that the concentration of various toxic elements was higher than the mean background values for world soils. Higher values of susceptibility and toxic elements content were reported near roads and rivers. Urban pollution and road traffic emission seem to be the main influence for these values. A semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction study has been carried out on a representative set of subsamples, using peak areas. Illite (average 52%), kaolinite (average 55%), chlorite (average 6%) and irregular illite-smectite mixed-layers (average 9%) are the major clay minerals groups identified. Mineral composition of total fraction confirms the presence of magnetite/maghemite. The clay minerals results point to a contrast in the behavior of the main clay minerals: illite, chlorite, and kaolinite (also, smectite in some samples), which are generally in agreement with the magnetic and geochemical data. The results showed that magnetic measurements are a sensitive, fast, inexpensive and robust method, which can be advantageously applied for studying soils affected by urban and road pollution.