Spinel Crystals Research Articles

Geochemical and isotopic constraints on the dynamics of the Earth: a Special Issue dedicated to Jan Dirk Kramers and his legacy to geochemistry

Chromium exists in two oxidation states Cr2+ and Cr3+ during high-temperature magmatic processes and changes in Cr redox are often associated with stable isotopic fractionation. Thus, the stable chromium isotope compositions of mantle-derived magmas bear the potential to trace the oxidation states of their mantle sources as well as any post melting changes in Cr redox (e.g. during magmatic differentiation), in a manner similar to magmatic stable Fe isotopic fractionation. However, these stable isotope fractionation effects are less understood for Cr relative to Fe. Komatiites and tholeiitic basalts represent a wide range of mantle-derived partial melts with variable fractional crystallization of phases with different affinity for Cr2+ and Cr3+. Thus, they offer potential archives to better understand high-temperature Cr isotope fractionation processes and mantle redox.Here, we report major and trace elements as well as coupled stable Cr and Fe isotope compositions of two well-characterized Archean komatiite-tholeiite suites from the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa and Eswatini, and Belingwe Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe. The sample suites range in MgO concentrations from 3.85 to 34.33 wt%, which allows investigation of the impact of large degrees of magmatic differentiation in a komatiite-basalt system. Whole-rock δ53/52CrSRM979 and δ56/54FeIRMM014 values range from −0.390 ± 0.016 to −0.061 ± 0.016‰ and −0.014 ± 0.018 to +0.192 ± 0.018‰, respectively. The komatiites have a very narrow range in their Cr isotopic composition with an average δ53/52CrSRM979 value of −0.122 ± 0.050‰ (2SD; n = 21), which supports previous estimates of the bulk silicate Earth δ53/52CrSRM979 value. However, high-Mg tholeiites and basaltic andesites exhibit significantly lighter δ53/52CrSRM979 and heavier δ56/54FeIRMM014 values than komatiites. These variations can be linked to crystallization and accumulation of mineral phases observed from fractionation trends of the two Archean komatiite-tholeiite suites. In detail, during crystallization and accumulation of olivine the Cr isotope compositions of komatiites stay invariant, whereas at the onset of Cr-bearing spinel and pyroxene crystallization the Cr isotope signatures of komatiitic basalts, high-Mg tholeiites and basaltic andesites become progressively lighter, which is attributed to the preferential incorporation of isotopically heavier Cr3+ in these mineral phases. The gradual increase of δ56/54FeIRMM014 with increasing magmatic differentiation, does not allow identifying the crystallization of particular mineral phases using Fe isotopes alone. Ultimately, this study demonstrates the power of combining stable Cr and Fe isotopic analyses to examine the effects of fractional crystallization on modifying melt source values and thus to ensure accurate mantle redox estimations.

Exploring Biases in Atom Probe Tomography Compositional Analysis of Minerals

Atom probe tomography (APT) is emerging as a key nanogeochemistry technique for diverse geoscience applications. Estimating stoichiometric mineral compositions is particularly challenging for features at nanoscale. APT provides reliable measurements for metallic systems but the reliability for oxides is problematic, notably due to oxygen deficit. Here, we use laser‐assisted APT to compare results for spinel and garnet crystals. APT compositional results were compared with those by electron microprobe to determine the possible APT analytical inaccuracy. Extensive data processing was accomplished, including correlation histograms, 2D ion distribution maps and 1D elements concentration profiles, to disclose the possible mechanisms leading to mineral stoichiometry biases. Multiple events and neutral molecules formation are probable the main processes responsible for atom deficit. In particular, the amount of the same isotope–same charge state ion pairs correlated with aluminium and oxygen deficits suggests that the co‐evaporation in a dead space–dead time window could lead to a significant decrease of detected ions. Also, molecular species dissociation and direct current evaporation could partially account for further atom loss. Overall, better APT compositional estimation was obtained for spinel, which has lesser variation in lattice sites and greater overall lattice symmetry, higher thermal conductivity and lower band gap compared with garnet.

Luminescent Properties of MgO ⋅ 2.5Al2O3 Spinel Crystals Irradiated by 12-MeV Electrons

Luminescent Properties of MgO ⋅ 2.5Al2O3 Spinel Crystals Irradiated by 12-MeV Electrons

Catalytic mechanism of iron oxide doping on the crystallization process of Cr2O3-containg glass ceramics

The influence of Fe2O3 addition to the nucleation process of Cr2O3-containing CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 (CAMS) based glass ceramic was investigated by Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), electron back-scattered diffraction (SEM-EBSD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The experimental data illustrated that the single Cr2O3-doped specimens were insufficient in achieving the desired nucleation rate for high degree of polymerization. However, with the introduction of Fe2O3 to the Cr2O3-containing samples, the newly generated [FeO4] mended the glass network by inserting [Fe3+O4-SiO4] unit into the original Si-O network, which was helpful for the migration of the coordination polyhedron in the glass matrix. Additionally, [FeO4] unit and [MgO4] are equivalent when generating spinel crystal. Hence, the generated [FeO4] benefited the formation of spinel and diopside phases. This resulted in massive fine spinel crystal distribution in the glass matrix, which promoted the precipitation of diopside. Crystallographic examination confirmed the formation of partial diopsides on the spinel {111} lattice plane with epitaxial growth. The orientation relationships were 〈112〉spinel//〈001〉diopside and (111)spinel//(002)diopside. However, when higher Fe2O3 (that is, 2 wt% Cr2O3+15 wt% Fe2O3) was added to the glass system, abnormal grain growth of spinel occurred, which resultantly reduced the nucleation rate.

Geochemical and seismic tomography constraints of two-layer magma chambers beneath the bimodal volcanism: A case study of late Cenozoic volcanic rocks from Ulleung Island and Mt. Changbai (Paektu)

We take two typical Northeast Asia bimodal volcanoes as examples to explain the general features of Cenozoic bimodal ocean island basalt (OIB)-type volcanism in Northeast Asia. We present mineralogical, petrological, geochemical, isotopic, and full-waveform seismic tomographic evidence for the existence of two-layer magma chambers of Late Cenozoic volcanic activity beneath Ulleung Island and Mt. Changbai (Paektu). Ulleung Island volcanic rocks, which are composed of alkaline basalt, phonotephrite, trachyte, and phonolite, belong to the alkaline magma series and display enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs), slight depletion of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), enriched 87Sr/86Sr (0.70475–0.70507) and 143Nd/144Nd (0.51250–0.51255) isotopic values, and enriched 207Pb/204Pb (15.544–15.626) and 208Pb/204Pb (38.750–38.954) values, similar to the geochemistry of OIB. Ulleung Island felsic volcanic rocks are characterized by significant negative Ba, Sr, P, Eu, and Ti anomalies (δEu = 0.14–0.35) and positive Pb anomalies, slightly higher 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios relative to those of mafic volcanic rocks, although the mafic and felsic samples have similar Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope compositions without significant differences. Ulleung Island and Mt. Changbai volcanic activities are likely related to the involvement of subduction-related compositions, but parts of the Mt. Changbai samples have been contaminated by crustal components to a certain extent. Mafic volcanic rocks of Ulleung Island are segregated from a deeper mantle source within a pressure range of 10.1–21.2 kbar compared with felsic volcanic rocks, which exhibit fractional crystallization of clinopyxene, spinel, plagioclase, and olivine. To explain this, a two-layer magma chamber beneath Ulleung Island with depths of 30–40 and 60–80 km is proposed, which is supported by mineral crystallization pressure and a three-dimensional full-waveform seismic tomography model. We also suggest that similar magma eruption processes and a two-layer magma chamber with depths of ~10 and 40–60 km also exist beneath Mt. Changbai. Taking the typical Cenozoic bimodal samples from Ulleung Island and Mt. Changbai as examples, we argue that two-layer magma chambers exist beneath Cenozoic bimodal OIB-type volcanic activities in Northeast Asia.

Effects of CaO added to raw basalt on producing continuous basalt fibers and their mechanical properties

The influence of CaO on spinnability (the capability of being spun) of continuous basalt fibers (CBF) and strength property were investigated. The addition of CaO in raw basalts was found to eliminate spinel crystals (magnesioferrite), and to reduce frequency of fiber breaks during the fiber-drawing. The tensile strength of CBF was enhanced by 13% after addition 3% wt. of CaO to the starting materials. Excessive addition of CaO (>5.0%) would result in less spinnability and inferior mechanical strength. The structure of basaltic glass fibers with varying CaO contents was studied by various characterizations. Doping of CaO reduced the degree of fiber polymerization and increased the amount of non-bridging oxygen. Results showed that increase of CaO changes the crystallization behavior of fibers, inhibits the crystallization of spinel, and promotes the crystallization of pyroxene and plagioclase.

Spectral properties and structure of transparent glass-ceramics based on Fe:MgAl2O4 and Fe:ZnAl2O4 crystals

Transparent glass-ceramics based on nanocrystals of magnesium aluminate and zinc aluminate spinels doped with iron ions have been obtained for the first time to our knowledge. The materials are promising for middle-IR spectral range laser technology. These materials are synthesized by heat-treating glasses of special composition in the temperature range of 720∘C−1050∘C . The glasses and glass-ceramics are studied by X-ray diffraction analysis and Raman and optical absorption spectroscopy. Their densities are measured, and differential scanning calorimetry data are obtained. It is shown that iron ions in glass-ceramics enter into tetrahedral and octahedral sites of crystals with a spinel structure. Increasing the heat-treatment temperature increases the absorption in the 2µm region originating from the 5E→5T2(5D) transition of Fe2+ ions in tetrahedral sites in spinel crystals.

Morphological and structural study of crystals in black-to-brown glazes of Yaozhou ware (Song dynasty) using imaging and spectroscopic techniques

The Yaozhou kiln complex (Shaanxi, China) is a famous black-to-brown ceramic production center due to its significant volume of production, long manufacturing history (from Tang Dynasty to Yuan Dynasty) and variety of decorations. In this work, four representative types of black-to-brown ware from the Yaozhou kilns were selected to study the morphology, structure and distribution of the precipitated crystals in the glazes using a series of imaging and analytical techniques (optical microscopy, XRF, SEM-EDS, TEM-EDS, μRS and UV–vis-IR). The results show that the rare metastable ε-Fe2O3 phase, already observed in typical sauce glaze, was also detected in other types of brown glaze decorations, such as light brown stripes on a darker background or irregular brown spots on a black background. Cross-section analyses also showed a three well-separated layered crystalline distribution in the glazes of lighter brown colors as it has been noted in glazes from Qilizhen kilns. Raman analyses revealed that the crystals contained in third layer are of varying nature: ε-Fe2O3 in the sauce glaze and magnetite in the light brown stripes. The peak shifts and line broadenings observed in the Raman spectra of ε-Fe2O3 crystals were also investigated. They are the result of Al, Ti and Mg substitutions, which were identified using TEM-EDS. Such ionic substitutions would stabilize the metastable ε-Fe2O3 crystals by increasing the cationic disorder. In addition, Mg-, Ca- and Fe-rich spinel crystals were observed for the first time in a black glaze of Yaozhou wares.

Compositional Variations of Spinels from Ultramafic Lamprophyres of the Chadobets Complex (Siberian Craton, Russia)

Ultramafic lamprophyres (UMLs) are mantle rocks that provide important information about the composition of specific carbonate–silicate alkaline melts in the mantle as well as the processes contributing to their origin. Minerals of the spinel group typically occur in UMLs and have a unique “genetic memory.” Investigations of the spinel minerals from the UMLs of the Chadobets complex show the physicochemical and thermodynamic features of the alkaline rocks’ crystallization. The spinels of these UMLs have four stages of crystallization. The first spinel xenocrysts were found only in damtjernite pipes, formed from mantle peridotite, and were captured during the rising of the primary melt to the surface. The next stages of the spinel composition evolution are related to the high-chromium spinel crystallization, which changed to a high-alumina composition. The composition then changed to magnesian ulvöspinel–magnetites with strong decreases in the Al and Cr amounts caused by the release of carbon dioxide, rapid temperature changes, and crystallization of the main primary groundmass minerals such as phlogopite and carbonates. Melt inclusion analyses showed the predominance of aluminosilicate (phlogopite, clinopyroxene, and/or albite) and carbonate (calcite and dolomite) daughter phases in the inclusions that are consistent with the chemical evolution of the Cr-spinel trend. The further evolution of the spinels from magnesian ulvöspinel–magnetite to Ti-magnetite is accompanied by the formation of atoll structures caused by resorption of the spinel minerals.

Origin of minerals in åkermanite-rich patch texture and oxygen isotopic evolution of compact Type A Ca-Al-rich inclusions from the Northwest Africa 7865 CV chondrite

We report the in-situ oxygen isotopic distributions corresponding to the petrographic-mineralogical observation on a compact Type A (CTA) Ca-Al-rich inclusion (CAI), KU-N-02, from a reduced CV3 chondrite, Northwest Africa 7865. The CTA has an igneous texture and mainly consists of spinel, melilite, and Al-Ti-rich clinopyroxene (fassaite). Oxygen isotopic compositions of the constituent minerals plot along the carbonaceous chondrite anhydrous mineral line. The spinel grains are poikilitically enclosed in the melilite and fassaite and are uniformly 16O-rich (Δ17O = approximately − 23‰). The fassaite is texturally classified into two types: blocky fassaite and intergranular fassaite. The blocky fassaite crystals exhibit growth zoning as they change from Ti-rich to Ti-poor along the inferred directions of crystal growth from core to rim, while the oxygen isotopic compositions change from 16O-poor (Δ17O = approximately − 6‰) to 16O-rich (Δ17O = approximately − 23‰) with crystal growth. The intergranular fassaite crystals exist between the melilite crystals and exhibit variable Ti abundance and oxygen isotopic compositions. Additionally, their relationships between Ti contents and oxygen isotopic composition are similar to those of the blocky fassaite. The melilite grains are homogeneously 16O-poor (Δ17O = approximately − 2‰), irrespective of their åkermanite (Åk) content. Each melilite grain generally exhibits growth zoning with increasing Åk contents from core to rim, although the melilite contains Åk-rich patches within single crystal. Åk-rich patches often include two types of fassaite: small blebby crystals attached to spinel crystals and round crystals. The oxygen isotopic compositions of the Åk-rich patch and blebby fassaite are 16O-poor (Δ17O = approximately − 2‰), similar to that of the host melilite. On the other hand, the round fassaite exhibits significant variation in oxygen isotopic compositions ranging from Δ17O = −23‰ to − 4‰, which are different from those of the host melilite. These petrographic textures and oxygen isotopic variations indicate the presence of a solid precursor with variable oxygen isotopic compositions for the CTA. The spinel and round fassaite grains are relicts of the precursor that melted in the 16O-poor nebular gas, resulting in the crystallization of the host melilite from the 16O-poor melt. The Åk-rich patches and blebby fassaite crystallized from melts trapped by the growing host melilite crystals. The blocky and intergranular fassaite crystallized after the melilite did, and the oxygen isotopic composition of the melt changed to 16O-rich during the crystallization process, suggesting that the oxygen isotopic composition of the surrounding nebular gas could be varied. The inferred oxygen isotopic evolution for CTA is consistent with those inferred for Type B CAIs, suggesting that coarse-grained igneous CAIs formed in a similar nebular environment regardless of precursor chemistry.

Sapphire of the Naryn-Gol Creek Placer Deposit (Buryatia, Russia)

A new occurrence of gem corundum was discovered in the vicinity of Naryn-Gol Creek, on the Dzhida volcanic field, Russia. Sapphires were found in both alluvial deposits of the Naryn-Gol Creek and pyroclastic rocks of the nearby Cenozoic alkali basalt volcano Barun-Hobol Pravyi. These rocks contain, in addition to sapphire, large crystals of garnet, spinel, augite, olivine, enstatite, ilmenite, and feldspar. Chemical composition of the sapphires overall is typical for corundum from basalt: rich in Fe, low in Ti and Cr. The oxygen isotopic compositions of corundum and associated minerals show δ18Osmow values ranging between 4.6‰ and 6.8‰ that is attributed to magmatic rocks. Study of impurities reveals the great role of volatiles, CO2, in particular, during the formation process.

Exomorphism of jacobsite precipitates in bixbyite single crystals from the Thomas Range in Utah

Abstract Naturally occurring single crystals of bixbyite, (Fe,Mn)2O3, from the Thomas Mountain Range in Utah, U.S.A., were studied via (scanning) transmission electron microscopy (S)TEM. With up to 5 cm edge length, these mineral specimens are the largest bixbyite crystals found worldwide. Their hexahedral shapes are often modified by {211} facets at the corners and small {211} truncations along their cube edges. Characteristic lamellar defects, running parallel to the {100} planes, can be observed via TEM imaging. The defects are, according to EDS analyses, attributed to the tetragonal manganese silicate braunite, Mn7[SiO12]. In the present study, electron nano-diffraction and atomic resolution (S)TEM were employed to verify the presence of braunite lamellae and to investigate their orientation relationship with bixbyite. The analysis confirmed an epitaxial intergrowth of both phases, with their main-axes being parallel and the unique c-axis of braunite always aligned perpendicularly to the lamellar plane. Moreover, small rectangular-shaped precipitates, which had been, due to their almost identical chemical composition, previously interpreted as small bixbyite inclusions within the host crystal, were often observed in contact with the braunite lamellae. Electron nano-diffraction and atomic resolution (S)TEM imaging revealed these crystallites not to be bixbyite but jacobsite, a cubic iron-manganese spinel with the stoichiometric formula MnFe2O4, whose occurrence in this unique context had not been reported before. Moreover, due to the higher temperatures needed for spinel crystallization, the occurrence of jacobsite may serve as a geo-thermometer. (S)TEM in conjunction with automated crystal orientation mapping (ACOM)-TEM showed that no orientation relationship exists between the jacobsite inclusions and the bixbyite/braunite matrix. Nevertheless, their characteristic rectangular shape is typically aligned concordantly with the (001) plane of the braunite lamellae. The resulting crystal shape of jacobsite is determined by the presence of the braunite lamellae, while the respective crystallites maintain their freedom of rotation. To the authors’ knowledge, this is a novel observation of exomorphosis of jacobsite, i.e., the change in the habit of the spinel crystallites due to external conditions. Note that the term “exomorphosis” is used here in the mineralogical sense in contrast to the often-used petrological aspect. Based on the TEM results, the formation of the jacobsite precipitates is discussed and a growth model suggested.

Coupled stable chromium and iron isotopic fractionation tracing magmatic mineral crystallization in Archean komatiite-tholeiite suites

Chromium exists in two oxidation states Cr2+ and Cr3+ during high-temperature magmatic processes and changes in Cr redox are often associated with stable isotopic fractionation. Thus, the stable chromium isotope compositions of mantle-derived magmas bear the potential to trace the oxidation states of their mantle sources as well as any post melting changes in Cr redox (e.g. during magmatic differentiation), in a manner similar to magmatic stable Fe isotopic fractionation. However, these stable isotope fractionation effects are less understood for Cr relative to Fe. Komatiites and tholeiitic basalts represent a wide range of mantle-derived partial melts with variable fractional crystallization of phases with different affinity for Cr2+ and Cr3+. Thus, they offer potential archives to better understand high-temperature Cr isotope fractionation processes and mantle redox.Here, we report major and trace elements as well as coupled stable Cr and Fe isotope compositions of two well-characterized Archean komatiite-tholeiite suites from the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa and Eswatini, and Belingwe Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe. The sample suites range in MgO concentrations from 3.85 to 34.33 wt%, which allows investigation of the impact of large degrees of magmatic differentiation in a komatiite-basalt system. Whole-rock δ53/52CrSRM979 and δ56/54FeIRMM014 values range from −0.390 ± 0.016 to −0.061 ± 0.016‰ and −0.014 ± 0.018 to +0.192 ± 0.018‰, respectively. The komatiites have a very narrow range in their Cr isotopic composition with an average δ53/52CrSRM979 value of −0.122 ± 0.050‰ (2SD; n = 21), which supports previous estimates of the bulk silicate Earth δ53/52CrSRM979 value. However, high-Mg tholeiites and basaltic andesites exhibit significantly lighter δ53/52CrSRM979 and heavier δ56/54FeIRMM014 values than komatiites. These variations can be linked to crystallization and accumulation of mineral phases observed from fractionation trends of the two Archean komatiite-tholeiite suites. In detail, during crystallization and accumulation of olivine the Cr isotope compositions of komatiites stay invariant, whereas at the onset of Cr-bearing spinel and pyroxene crystallization the Cr isotope signatures of komatiitic basalts, high-Mg tholeiites and basaltic andesites become progressively lighter, which is attributed to the preferential incorporation of isotopically heavier Cr3+ in these mineral phases. The gradual increase of δ56/54FeIRMM014 with increasing magmatic differentiation, does not allow identifying the crystallization of particular mineral phases using Fe isotopes alone. Ultimately, this study demonstrates the power of combining stable Cr and Fe isotopic analyses to examine the effects of fractional crystallization on modifying melt source values and thus to ensure accurate mantle redox estimations.

Transparent glass-ceramics based on Co2+-doped γ-GaxAl2−xO3 spinel nanocrystals for passive Q-switching of Er lasers

Transparent glass-ceramics (GCs) based on Co2+-doped γ-GaxAl2−xO3 spinel nanocrystals were developed in the lithium aluminogallosilicate glass system with TiO2 as a nucleating agent. The initial glass contains spinel nanocrystals with sizes less than 3 nm. Secondary heat-treatments in the temperature range of 680–800 °C result in fabrication of transparent GCs based on γ-GaxAl2−xO3 crystals enriched in aluminum with cubic spinel structure (sp. gr. Fd3m) and a mean size up to 5.5 nm. At higher temperatures, GCs become translucent and then opaque due to additional crystallization of lithium aluminosilicate solid solutions (ss) with β-quartz structure and lithium aluminogallium silicate ss with β-spodumene (keatite) structure. The introduction of gallium oxide improves the temperature stability of spinel crystals that are not decomposed at high heat-treatment temperatures when aluminosilicate crystals evolve. The Co2+ ions in GCs enter the spinel crystals predominantly in tetrahedral sites. Transparent GCs feature broadband absorption (1.15–1.7 μm) owing to the 4A2(4F) → 4T1(4F) transition of IVCo2+ species in spinel nanocrystals. They exhibit saturable absorption and high ground-state absorption (GSA) cross-section σGSA of 3.1 ± 0.4 × 10−19 cm2 at 1.54 μm. Glass-ceramic based on γ-GaxAl2−xO3 crystals is employed as a saturable absorber of an eye-safe diode-side-pumped Er3+,Yb3+:glass laser delivering 1.1 mJ/42 ns pulses at 1535 nm.

Compositions and Classification of Fractionated Boninite Series Melts from the Izu–Bonin–Mariana Arc: A Machine Learning Approach

AbstractMuch of the boninite magmatism in the Izu–Bonin–Mariana arc is preserved as evolved boninite series compositions wherein extensive fractional crystallization of pyroxene and spinel have obscured the diagnostic geochemical indicators of boninite parentage, such as high Mg and low Ti at intermediate silica contents. As a result, the usual geochemical discriminants used for the classification of the broad range of parental boninites are inapplicable to such highly fractionated melts. These issues are compounded by the mixing of demonstrably different whole-rock and glass analyses in classification schemes and petrological interpretations based thereon. Whole-rock compositions are compromised by entrainment of variable proportions of crystalline phases resulting in inconsistent differences from corresponding in situ glass analyses, which arguably better reflect prior melt compositions. To circumvent such issues, we herein present a robust method for the classification of highly fractionated boninite series glasses. This new classification leverages the analysis of trace elements, which are much more sensitive to evolutionary processes than major elements, and benefits from the use of unsupervised machine learning as a classification tool. The results show that the most fractionated boninite series melts preserve geochemical indicators of their parentage, and highlight the pitfalls of interpreting whole-rock and glass analyses interchangeably.

Типоморфизм хромшпинелидов из голоценовых псефитов Кыввожского золотороссыпного поля (Вольско-Вымская гряда, Средний Тиман)

The results of the study of accessory chrome spinels from heavy mineral concentrates of gold-bearing psephites of the Kyvvozhsky gold-placer field (Volsko-Vymskaya ridge, Middle Timan) are presented. As a result of the study of the typochemistry of chromspinelides, their genetic relationship with rocks of mainly alkaline-ultrabasic composition — analogues of Timanian Late-Riphean-Vendian ultramafites and Early-Middle Devonian alnoites is substantiated. The formation of magmatic sources of chrome spinels occurred in a wide range of geotectonic settings — from passive (platform) to active (island-arc subduction zones), which are more characteristic of the bulk of chrome spinels. The crystallization of chrome spinels, found as microinclusions in lherzolite pyropes in the same shlich samples of the Kyvvozhskaya gold-bearing area, is associated with the conditions of rift zones (spreading of the seabed). We made a conclusion about probable local (intra-valley) position of main magmatic sources of chrome spinels. The revealed chrome spinels, containing microinclusions of nickel and copper sulfides, are considered by the authors as indicators of igneous rocks containing platinum group minerals.

Study on synthesis and characterization of nano scale spinel Mn0.5¬Fe2..5O4 by micro-emulsion method

The single phase of Mn0.5Fe2.5O4 spinel crystals was prepared by the micro-emulsion method with the oil phase is DGDE (diethylene glycol diethyl ether). The characteristics of the materials have been determined by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunaure-Emmet-Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption and desorption, Vibration sampling magnetometer (VSM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the single phase of Fe0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 crystalline was formed due to the substitution of Fe by Mn in the Fe3O4 crystal lattice and single phase spinel crystal is formed with the size of 6.7 nm, specific surface area ≈ 193 m2.g-1, the saturation magnetization reaches ≈ 27 emu.g-1.

Study on synthesis and characterization of nano scale spinel Mn<sub>0.5­</sub>Fe<sub>2.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> by micro-emulsion method

The single phase of Mn0.5Fe2.5O4 spinel crystals was prepared by the micro-emulsion method with the oil phase is DGDE (diethylene glycol diethyl ether). The characteristics of the materials have been determined by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunaure-Emmet-Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption and desorption, Vibration sampling magnetometer (VSM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the single phase of Fe0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 crystalline was formed due to the substitution of Fe by Mn in the Fe3O4 crystal lattice and single phase spinel crystal is formed with the size of 6.7 nm, specific surface area ≈ 193 m2.g-1, the saturation magnetization reaches ≈ 27 emu.g-1.

Optical glass-ceramics based on nanosized crystals of magnesium aluminate spinel doped with iron ions

Transparent glass-ceramics of magnesium aluminum silicate system based on nanosized MgAl2O4 spinel crystals nucleated by TiO2 and doped with Fe2O3 were developed. Their structure and spectroscopic properties were studied. The glass-ceramics are important as reference samples in development of saturable absorbers in the short-wave infrared spectral range (2-3 μm).

Petrology and geochemistry of high-Al chromitites from the MedellÍn Metaharzburgitic Unit (MMU), Colombia

The Medellin Metaharzburgitic Unit (MMU), emplaced onto the western continental margin of Pangea during Triassic time, is located in the Central Cordillera of Colombia and consists of metaharzburgites, minor metadunites and chromitite bodies (Patio Bonito and San Pedro ore deposits). The ultramafic rocks contain relicts of mantle-derived olivine, chromian spinel and minor orthopyroxene, and a later metamorphic mineral assemblage composed by tremolite, chlorite, talc, fine-grained recrystallized olivine, serpentine-group minerals, magnetite, and secondary chromian spinel, formed during the thermal evolution of the unit. The Cr# [Cr/(Cr+Al) atomic ratio] of the accessory primary chromian spinel in the metaperidotites ranges from 0.58 to 0.62 and overlaps those of supra-subduction peridotites from ophiolites. According to textural and compositional variations, the accessory chromian spinel in the metaperidotites can be classified into three groups: i) partially altered chromian spinel with an Al-rich core, ii) porous, Cr-Fe2+-enriched and Al-Mg-depleted chromian spinel, and iii) homogeneous Fe3+-rich chromian spinel. These variations can be related to superimposed medium-T metamorphism that reached amphibolite facies (ca. 600 ºC). Chromitite bodies associated with the metaperidotites have massive and semi-massive textures, and mainly consist of chromian spinel crystals, which show large unaltered cores surrounded by thin alteration rims of ferrian chromian spinel and chlorite. Chromitites are Al-rich (#Cr <0.6) and strongly depleted in platinum group elements (ΣPGE <41 ppb). The primary petrological and geochemical characteristics preserved in the metaperidotites and chromitites indicate that the MMU formed at shallow levels of a suboceanic lithospheric mantle related to a supra-subduction zone (back-arc basin/incipient arc scenario), and that the chromitites crystallized from a tholeiitic magma (back-arc basin basalt type).