DOCSLIB.ORG

Investigations Into the Synthesis, Characterisation and Uranium Extraction of the Pyrochlore Mineral Betafite

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Investigations Into the Synthesis, Characterisation and Uranium Extraction of the Pyrochlore Mineral Betafite Investigations into the Synthesis, Characterisation and Uranium Extraction of the Pyrochlore Mineral Betafite. A thesis submitted for the fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Scott Alan McMaster B.Sc (App Chem) B.Sc (App Sci) (Hons) School of Applied Sciences College of Science, Engineering and Health RMIT University February 2016 II I Document of authenticity I certify that except where due acknowledgement has been made, the work is that of the author alone; the work has not been submitted previously, in whole or in part, to qualify for any other academic award; the content of the thesis is a result of work which has been carried out since the official commencement date of the approved research program; and, any editorial work, paid or unpaid, carried out by a third party is acknowledged. Scott A. McMaster February 2016 II Acknowledgements The research conducted in this thesis would not have been possible without the help of a number of people, and I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank them. Firstly, I’d like to thank my primary supervisor Dr. James Tardio; you have provided me with endless support and help throughout my 3rd year undergraduate research, honours and PhD candidature. Your enthusiasm, ideas, and patience have been essential in producing a thesis I can say I’m truly proud of. To Prof. Suresh Bhargava, I cannot thank you for your guidance and the opportunities that you have given me enough. You have taught me so much about being a good scientific communicator which I believe is one of the most valuable qualities I have gained throughout my candidature, for that I am extremely grateful. I would also like to thank Dr. Mark Pownceby from CSIRO. Your understanding and technical expertise with mineral characterisation has been invaluable throughout the past 4 years. I am very appreciative of your friendly and humble help, and for the opportunity to collaborate with you and your colleagues at CSIRO. To Dr. Rahul Ram, without your help and guidance my project would not be as half as fruitful as it was. Your patience, kindness and willingness to help have made many frustrating situations enjoyable and productive. Thank you for taking me under your wing and training me up to be the scientist I am, for that I am indebted to you. I look forward to many more years of collaborative research and friendship with you in the future. I would also like to thank Dr. Lathe Jones and Dr. Andrew Basile for your help explaining the dark magic that is electrochemistry to me. To Assoc. Prof. Miao Chen, Dr. Dermot Henry, Dr. Ross Pogson, Mr. Trevor Rook, Dr. Oliver Jones, Dr. Selvakannan Periasamy and Dr. Mamad Amin, thank you all for your input and assistance and I look forward to working with you all in the future Thank you to Dr. Fiona Charalambous, Mr. Nebeal Faris, Mr. William Andrews, and Mr. Hao Chen for allowing me to talk through ideas and keeping me company while I washed the endless amounts of glassware. I hope to continue to work with you for many years into the future. III To Chris Plummer and Aaron Raynor, you guys are bloody awesome! PhD has been so much fun because of you both. I will always think back and smile at the things/incidents we got up to over the past few years. Without you both to vent to, and bounce ideas off, PhD would have been nowhere near as enjoyable. Cheers to many more years of friendship! I would also like to thank the technical staff at RMIT University, primarily Mr. Paul Morrison, Mr. Frank Antolasic and Dr. Zahra Homan. I would also like to thank my fellow PhD students at RMIT, you have all made this journey enjoyable for me in your own way. And finally, I would like to thank my family, especially Dad and Sandy. Your advice and generous support especially in the final 12 months of my PhD I am truly thankful and appreciative for. IV “Throughout history, every mystery, ever solved has turned out to be… not magic.” - Tim Minchin V Publications Journal Publications 1. McMaster, S.A., Ram, R., Pownceby, M.I., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S., 2015. Characterisation and leaching studies on the uranium mineral betafite [(U,Ca)2(Nb,Ti,Ta)2O7]. Minerals Engineering 81, 58-70. 2. McMaster, S.A., Ram, R., Charalambous, F.A., Pownceby, M.I., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2014. Synthesis and characterisation of the uranium pyrochlore betafite [(Ca,U)2(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O7]. Journal of Hazardous Materials 280, 478-486. 3. Charalambous, F.A., Ram, R., McMaster, S.A., Pownceby, M.I., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2014. Leaching behaviour of natural and heat-treated brannerite-containing uranium ores in sulphate solutions with iron (III). Minerals Engineering 57, 25-35. 4. Ram, R., Charalambous, F.A., McMaster, S.A., Pownceby, M.I., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2014. The effect of [Fe]TOT on the dissolution of synthetic Pb-doped UO2 and Th-doped UO2. Minerals Engineering 58, 26-38. 5. Ram, R., Charalambous, F.A., McMaster, S.A., Pownceby, M.I., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2013. Chemical and micro-structural characterisation studies on natural uraninite and associated gangue minerals. Minerals Engineering 45, 159-169. 6. Ram, R., Charalambous, F.A., McMaster, S.A., Pownceby, M.I., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2013. An investigation on the dissolution of natural uraninite ores. Minerals Engineering 50, 83-92. 7. Ram, R., Charalambous, F.A., McMaster, S.A., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2013 An investigation on the effects of several anions on the dissolution of synthetic uraninite (UO2). Hydrometallurgy 136, 93-104. 8. Charalambous, F.A., Ram, R., McMaster, S.A., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2013. An investigation on the dissolution of synthetic brannerite (UTi2O6). Hydrometallurgy 139, 1-8. VI Peer reviewed conference publications 9. McMaster, S.A., Ram, R., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2015. Dissolution and post leach characterisation of synthetic betafite – a uranium pyrochlore mineral, APCChE 2015 Congress Engineers Australia, Melbourne, Australia, pp. 1-11. 10. McMaster, S.A., Ram, R., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2014. Studies of the uranium pyrochlore mineral betafite: [(Ca,U)2(Nb,Ti,Ta)2O7], in: Zellinger, J. (Ed.), International Symposium on Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Exploration, Mining, Production, Supply and Demand, Economics and Environmental Issues (URAM). IAEA, Vienna, Austria. 11. McMaster, S.A., Ram, R., Charalambous, F.A., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2013. Characterisation Studies on Natural and Heat Treated Betafite, Chemeca 2013: Challenging Tomorrow. Engineers Australia, Brisbane, Qld pp. 529-535. 12. McMaster, S.A., Ram, R., Charalambous, F.A., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2012. Characterisation and dissolution studies on the uranium mineral betafite, Chemeca 2012: Quality of life through chemical engineering: 23-26 September 2012, Wellington, New Zealand, p. 612. 13. Charalambous, F.A., Ram, R., McMaster, S.A., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., 2012. An investigation on the dissolution of the uranium mineral brannerite, Chemeca 2012: Quality of life through chemical engineering: 23-26 September 2012, Wellington, New Zealand, p. 1919. Publications under review 14. McMaster, S.A., Ram, R., Pownceby, M.I., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S., XXXX. An investigation on uranium dissolution from synthetic Betafite: [(Ca,U)2(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O7]. Hydrometallurgy XXX, XX-XX. 15. Faris, N., Ram, R., Chen, M., Tardio, J., Pownceby, M.I., Jones, L., McMaster, S., Webster, N., Bhargava, S.K., XXXX. The effect of thermal pre-treatment on the dissoltuion of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) in ferric sulphate media. Hydrometallurgy XXX, XX-XX. VII Table of Contents 1. Introduction and Literature Review ....................................................................................... 1 1.1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 2 1.2. Uranium minerals and uranium bearing ores .............................................................. 3 1.3. Uranium Processing ........................................................................................................... 6 1.3.1. Deposit type and mining method ............................................................................. 6 1.3.2. Ore to high purity U3O8 ............................................................................................... 7 1.3.3. High purity U3O8 to enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6) ............................... 10 1.3.4. Nuclear fuel storage/disposal ................................................................................ 10 1.3.5. Methods for Radionuclide storage ......................................................................... 11 1.4. Occurrences and properties of betafite ........................................................................ 13 1.4.1. Occurrences ................................................................................................................ 13 1.4.2. Structure and stability ............................................................................................. 15 1.4.3. Synthesis ..................................................................................................................... 17 1.4.4. Stability in aqueous systems ................................................................................... 19 1.5. Leaching mechanisms of uranium minerals ................................................................ 21 1.6. Summary of literature review .......................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Geochemical Alteration of Pyrochlore Group Minerals: Pyrochlore Subgroup
    American Mineralogist, Volume 80, pages 732-743, 1995 Geochemical alteration of pyrochlore group minerals: Pyrochlore subgroup GREGORY R. LUMPKIN Advanced Materials Program, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, Menai 2234, New South Wales, Australia RODNEY C. EWING Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, U.S.A. ABSTRACT Primary alteration of uranpyrochlore from granitic pegmatites is characterized by the substitutions ADYD-+ ACaYO, ANaYF -+ ACaYO, and ANaYOI-I --+ ACaYO. Alteration oc- curred at ""450-650 °C and 2-4 kbar with fluid-phase compositions characterized by relatively low aNa+,high aeaH, and high pH. In contrast, primary alteration of pyrochlore from nepheline syenites and carbonatites follows a different tre:nd represented by the sub- stitutions ANaYF -+ ADYD and ACaYO -+ ADYD. In carbonatites, primary alteration of pyrochlore probably took place during and after replacement of diopside + forsterite + calcite by tremolite + dolomite :t ankerite at ""300-550 °C and 0-2 kbar under conditions of relatively low aHF, low aNa+,low aeaH, low pH, and elevated activities of Fe and Sr. Microscopic observations suggest that some altered pyrochlor1es are transitional between primary and secondary alteration. Alteration paths for these specimens scatter around the trend ANaYF -+ ADYD. Alteration probably occurred at 200-350 °C in the presence of a fluid phase similar in composition to the fluid present during primary alteration but with elevated activities of Ba and REEs. Mineral reactions in the system Na-Ca-Fe-Nb-O-H indicate that replacement of pyrochlore by fersmite and columbite occurred at similar conditions with fluid conpositions having relatively low aNa+,moderate aeaH, and mod- erate to high aFeH.Secondary alteration « 150 °C) is charactlerized by the substitutions ANaYF -+ ADYD,ACaYO -+ ADYD,and ACaXO -+ ADXDtogether with moderate to extreme hydration (10-15 wt% H20 or 2-3 molecules per formula unit).
    [Show full text]
  • Volcanic-Derived Placers As a Potential Resource of Rare Earth Elements: the Aksu Diamas Case Study, Turkey
    minerals Article Volcanic-Derived Placers as a Potential Resource of Rare Earth Elements: The Aksu Diamas Case Study, Turkey Eimear Deady 1,*, Alicja Lacinska 2, Kathryn M. Goodenough 1, Richard A. Shaw 2 and Nick M. W. Roberts 3 1 The Lyell Centre, British Geological Survey, Research Avenue South, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK; [email protected] 2 Environmental Science Centre, British Geological Survey, Nicker Hill, Keyworth NG12 5GG, UK; [email protected] (A.L.); [email protected] (R.A.S.) 3 Environmental Science Centre, NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, Nicker Hill, Keyworth NG12 5GG, UK; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +44-(0)131-6500217 Received: 15 February 2019; Accepted: 26 March 2019; Published: 30 March 2019 Abstract: Rare earth elements (REE) are essential raw materials used in modern technology. Current production of REE is dominated by hard-rock mining, particularly in China, which typically requires high energy input. In order to expand the resource base of the REE, it is important to determine what alternative sources exist. REE placers have been known for many years, and require less energy than mining of hard rock, but the REE ore minerals are typically derived from eroded granitic rocks and are commonly radioactive. Other types of REE placers, such as those derived from volcanic activity, are rare. The Aksu Diamas heavy mineral placer in Turkey has been assessed for potential REE extraction as a by-product of magnetite production, but its genesis was not previously well understood. REE at Aksu Diamas are hosted in an array of mineral phases, including apatite, chevkinite group minerals (CGM), monazite, allanite and britholite, which are concentrated in lenses and channels in unconsolidated Quaternary sands.
    [Show full text]
  • Washington State Minerals Checklist
    Division of Geology and Earth Resources MS 47007; Olympia, WA 98504-7007 Washington State 360-902-1450; 360-902-1785 fax E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/geology Minerals Checklist Note: Mineral names in parentheses are the preferred species names. Compiled by Raymond Lasmanis o Acanthite o Arsenopalladinite o Bustamite o Clinohumite o Enstatite o Harmotome o Actinolite o Arsenopyrite o Bytownite o Clinoptilolite o Epidesmine (Stilbite) o Hastingsite o Adularia o Arsenosulvanite (Plagioclase) o Clinozoisite o Epidote o Hausmannite (Orthoclase) o Arsenpolybasite o Cairngorm (Quartz) o Cobaltite o Epistilbite o Hedenbergite o Aegirine o Astrophyllite o Calamine o Cochromite o Epsomite o Hedleyite o Aenigmatite o Atacamite (Hemimorphite) o Coffinite o Erionite o Hematite o Aeschynite o Atokite o Calaverite o Columbite o Erythrite o Hemimorphite o Agardite-Y o Augite o Calciohilairite (Ferrocolumbite) o Euchroite o Hercynite o Agate (Quartz) o Aurostibite o Calcite, see also o Conichalcite o Euxenite o Hessite o Aguilarite o Austinite Manganocalcite o Connellite o Euxenite-Y o Heulandite o Aktashite o Onyx o Copiapite o o Autunite o Fairchildite Hexahydrite o Alabandite o Caledonite o Copper o o Awaruite o Famatinite Hibschite o Albite o Cancrinite o Copper-zinc o o Axinite group o Fayalite Hillebrandite o Algodonite o Carnelian (Quartz) o Coquandite o o Azurite o Feldspar group Hisingerite o Allanite o Cassiterite o Cordierite o o Barite o Ferberite Hongshiite o Allanite-Ce o Catapleiite o Corrensite o o Bastnäsite
    [Show full text]
  • Columbium (Niubium) and Tantalum
    COLUMBIUM (NIOBIUM) AND TANTALUM By Larry D. Cunningham Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Robin C. Kaiser, statistical assistant, and the world production table was prepared by Regina R. Coleman, international data coordinator. Columbium [Niobium (Nb)] is vital as an alloying element in economic penalty in most applications. Neither columbium nor steels and in superalloys for aircraft turbine engines and is in tantalum was mined domestically because U.S. resources are of greatest demand in industrialized countries. It is critical to the low grade. Some resources are mineralogically complex, and United States because of its defense-related uses in the most are not currently (2000) recoverable. The last significant aerospace, energy, and transportation industries. Substitutes are mining of columbium and tantalum in the United States was available for some columbium applications, but, in most cases, during the Korean Conflict, when increased military demand they are less desirable. resulted in columbium and tantalum ore shortages. Tantalum (Ta) is a refractory metal that is ductile, easily Pyrochlore was the principal columbium mineral mined fabricated, highly resistant to corrosion by acids, a good worldwide. Brazil and Canada, which were the dominant conductor of heat and electricity, and has a high melting point. pyrochlore producers, accounted for most of total estimated It is critical to the United States because of its defense-related columbium mine production in 2000. The two countries, applications in aircraft, missiles, and radio communications. however, no longer export pyrochlore—only columbium in Substitution for tantalum is made at either a performance or upgraded valued-added forms produced from pyrochlore.
    [Show full text]
  • Phase Decomposition Upon Alteration of Radiation-Damaged Monazite–(Ce) from Moss, Østfold, Norway
    MINERALOGY CHIMIA 2010, 64, No. 10 705 doi:10.2533/chimia.2010.705 Chimia 64 (2010) 705–711 © Schweizerische Chemische Gesellschaft Phase Decomposition upon Alteration of Radiation-Damaged Monazite–(Ce) from Moss, Østfold, Norway Lutz Nasdala*a, Katja Ruschela, Dieter Rhedeb, Richard Wirthb, Ljuba Kerschhofer-Wallnerc, Allen K. Kennedyd, Peter D. Kinnye, Friedrich Fingerf, and Nora Groschopfg Abstract: The internal textures of crystals of moderately radiation-damaged monazite–(Ce) from Moss, Norway, indicate heavy, secondary chemical alteration. In fact, the cm-sized specimens are no longer mono-mineral monazite but rather a composite consisting of monazite–(Ce) and apatite pervaded by several generations of fractures filled with sulphides and a phase rich in Th, Y, and Si. This composite is virtually a ‘pseudomorph’ after primary euhedral monazite crystals whose faces are still well preserved. The chemical alteration has resulted in major reworking and decomposition of the primary crystals, with potentially uncontrolled elemental changes, including extensive release of Th from the primary monazite and local redeposition of radionuclides in fracture fillings. This seems to question the general alteration-resistance of orthophosphate phases in a low-temperature, ‘wet’ environment, and hence their suitability as potential host ceramics for the long-term immobilisation of ra- dioactive waste. Keywords: Chemical alteration · Monazite–(Ce) · Radiation damage · Thorium silicate 1. Introduction eventually to the formation of a non-crys- to undergo chemical alteration, and its in- talline form.[1,2] Such normally crystalline, crease with cumulative radiation damage, The accumulation of structural damage irradiation-amorphised minerals are com- ii) how exactly chemical alteration proc- generated by the corpuscular self-irra- monly described by the term ‘metamict’.[3] esses take place, and iii) as to which de- diation of minerals containing actinide The metamictisation process is controlled gree these materials (i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • Raman Spectroscopic Study of Variably Recrystallized Metamict Zircon from Amphibolite-Facies Metagranites, Serbo-Macedonian Massif, Bulgaria
    1357 The Canadian Mineralogist Vol. 44, pp. 1357-1366 (2006) RAMAN SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF VARIABLY RECRYSTALLIZED METAMICT ZIRCON FROM AMPHIBOLITE-FACIES METAGRANITES, SERBO-MACEDONIAN MASSIF, BULGARIA ROSITSA TITORENKOVA§ Central Laboratory of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Street 107, 1113 Sofi a, Bulgaria BORIANA MIHAILOVA Mineralogisch-Petrographisches Institut, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 48, D–20146 Hamburg. Germany LUDMIL KONSTANTINOV Central Laboratory of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Street 107, 1113 Sofi a, Bulgaria ABSTRACT We investigated zircon from high-grade metagranites of the Serbo-Macedonian Massif, in Bulgaria, by cathodoluminescence (CL), back-scattered-electron imaging, electron-microprobe analysis, and Raman microspectroscopy. The structural state in various zones was assessed using: (i) the position and width of the Raman peak near 1008 cm–1, (ii) the relative Raman intensity –1 of the symmetrical and anti-symmetrical SiO4 modes, (iii) the width of the peaks near 357 and 439 cm , and (iv) the occurrence of extra Raman scattering near 162, 509, 635 and 785 cm–1. The analyzed zones are divided into two main groups: (A) areas with a well-resolved Raman peak near 1008 cm–1, and (B) areas with a very weak Raman scattering near 1008 cm–1. Group B can be classifi ed into two subgroups: (B-i) dark zones in CL images, with a high concentration of uranium (up to 7000 ppm), and (B-ii) outermost bright zones in CL images with a concentration of U lower than that in the inner areas and commonly below the detection limit.
    [Show full text]
  • 4Utpo3so UM-P-88/125
    4utpo3So UM-P-88/125 The Incorporation of Transuranic Elements in Titanatc Nuclear Waste Ceramics by Hj. Matzke1, B.W. Seatonberry2, I.L.F. Ray1, H. Thiele1, H. Trisoglio1, C.T. Walker1, and T.J. White3'4'5 1 Commission of the European Communities, Joint Research Centre, i Karlsruhe Establishment, ' \ 'I European Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, D-7500 Karlsruhe, Federal Republic of Germany. 2 Advanced Materials Program, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, Private Mail Bag No. 1, Menai, N.S.W., 2234, Australia. 3 National Advanced Materials Analytical Centre, School of Physics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, 3052, Australia. Supported by the Australian Natio-al Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Programme. 4 Member, The American Ceramic Society 5 Author to whom correspondence whould oe addressed 2 The incorporation of actinide elements and their rare earth element analogues in titanatc nuclear waste forms are reviewed. New partitioning data are presented for three waste forms contining Purex waste simulant in combination with either NpC^, PuC>2 or An^Oo. The greater proportion of transuranics partition between perovskitc and ztrconoiite, while some americium may enter loveringite. Autoradiography revealed clusters of plutonium atoms which have been interpreted as unrcacted dioxide or scsquioxide. It is concluded that the solid state behavior of transaranic elements in titanate waste forms is poorly understood; certainly inadequate to tailor a ceramic for the incorporation of fast breeder reactor wastes. A number of experiments are proposed that will provide an adequate, data base for the formulation and fabrication of transuranic-bearing jj [i waste forms. ' ' 1 ~> I.
    [Show full text]
  • Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina by W
    .'.' .., Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina By W. F. Wilson and B. J. McKenzie RUTILE GUMMITE IN GARNET RUBY CORUNDUM GOLD TORBERNITE GARNET IN MICA ANATASE RUTILE AJTUNITE AND TORBERNITE THULITE AND PYRITE MONAZITE EMERALD CUPRITE SMOKY QUARTZ ZIRCON TORBERNITE ~/ UBRAR'l USE ONLV ,~O NOT REMOVE. fROM LIBRARY N. C. GEOLOGICAL SUHVEY Information Circular 24 Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina By W. F. Wilson and B. J. McKenzie Raleigh 1978 Second Printing 1980. Additional copies of this publication may be obtained from: North CarOlina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development Geological Survey Section P. O. Box 27687 ~ Raleigh. N. C. 27611 1823 --~- GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SECTION The Geological Survey Section shall, by law"...make such exami­ nation, survey, and mapping of the geology, mineralogy, and topo­ graphy of the state, including their industrial and economic utilization as it may consider necessary." In carrying out its duties under this law, the section promotes the wise conservation and use of mineral resources by industry, commerce, agriculture, and other governmental agencies for the general welfare of the citizens of North Carolina. The Section conducts a number of basic and applied research projects in environmental resource planning, mineral resource explora­ tion, mineral statistics, and systematic geologic mapping. Services constitute a major portion ofthe Sections's activities and include identi­ fying rock and mineral samples submitted by the citizens of the state and providing consulting services and specially prepared reports to other agencies that require geological information. The Geological Survey Section publishes results of research in a series of Bulletins, Economic Papers, Information Circulars, Educa­ tional Series, Geologic Maps, and Special Publications.
    [Show full text]
  • Niobian Rutile and Its Associations at Jolotca, Ditrau Alkaline Intrusive Massif, East Carpathians, Romania
    THE PUBLISHING HOUSE GEONOMY OF THE ROMANIAN ACADEMY Review article NIOBIAN RUTILE AND ITS ASSOCIATIONS AT JOLOTCA, DITRAU ALKALINE INTRUSIVE MASSIF, EAST CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA Paulina HIRTOPANU1, Robert J. FAIRHURST2 and Gyula JAKAB3 1Department of Mineralogy, University of Bucharest, 1, Nicolae Balcescu Blv., 010041 Bucharest, RO; 2Technical Laboratory at Lhoist North America, Inc., 3700 Hulen Street, Forth Worth, Texas 76107, US; 3IG Mineral Gheorgheni, Romania Corresponding author: Paulina HIRTOPANU, E-mail: [email protected] Accepted December 17, 2014 The Nb-rutile at Jolotca, situated in Ditrau alkaline intrusive complex occurs as intergrowths with ilmenite, Mn-ilmenite, Fe-pyrophanite and has ferrocolumbite, manganocolumbite, aeshynite-(Ce), aeshynite-(Nd), fergusonite-(Y), euxenite-(Y) and polycrase-(Y) exsolutions. The textural relations in this association show the replacement of niobian rutile by ilmenite and Mn ilmenite. Niobian rutile is the oldest mineral. Ilmenite and Mn-ilmenite occur as lamellar exsolutions in niobian rutile and as veins, and separately, in grains as solid solution with Fe-pyrophanite. The range of Nb2O5 content in Nb rutile varies generally from 2 to 15% wt. Sometimes, the values of Nb2O5 (up to 37.5% wt) are higher than any previously recorded for rutile from alkaline suites, pegmatites and carbonatites, having a chemical composition similar to that of old name „ilmenorutile”. Because of such a big difference in chemical composition, and the different kind of appearances of the two rutiles, they can be separated into two Nb rutile generations. The first niobian rutile (niobian rutile I) formed on old rutile, has low Nb2O5 (10-15wt%), and oscillatory composition. Its composition is characteristically close to stoichiometric TiO2.
    [Show full text]
  • Carbonatites of the World, Explored Deposits of Nb and REE—Database and Grade and Tonnage Models
    Carbonatites of the World, Explored Deposits of Nb and REE—Database and Grade and Tonnage Models By Vladimir I. Berger, Donald A. Singer, and Greta J. Orris Open-File Report 2009-1139 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior KEN SALAZAR, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2009 For product and ordering information: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/ Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Suggested citation: Berger, V.I., Singer, D.A., and Orris, G.J., 2009, Carbonatites of the world, explored deposits of Nb and REE— database and grade and tonnage models: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1139, 17 p. and database [http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1139/]. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. ii Contents Introduction 1 Rules Used 2 Data Fields 2 Preliminary analysis: —Grade and Tonnage Models 13 Acknowledgments 16 References 16 Figures Figure 1. Location of explored Nb– and REE–carbonatite deposits included in the database and grade and tonnage models 4 Figure 2. Cumulative frequency of ore tonnages of Nb– and REE–carbonatite deposits 14 Figure 3 Cumulative frequency of Nb2O5 grades of Nb– and REE–carbonatite deposits 15 Figure 4 Cumulative frequency of RE2O3 grades of Nb– and REE–carbonatite deposits 15 Figure 4 Cumulative frequency of P2O5 grades of Nb– and REE–carbonatite deposits 16 Tables Table 1.
    [Show full text]
  • U-Th-Pb Zircon Geochronology by ID-TIMS, SIMS, and Laser Ablation ICP-MS: Recipes, Interpretations, and Opportunities
    ÔØ ÅÒÙ×Ö ÔØ U-Th-Pb zircon geochronology by ID-TIMS, SIMS, and laser ablation ICP-MS: recipes, interpretations, and opportunities U. Schaltegger, A.K. Schmitt, M.S.A. Horstwood PII: S0009-2541(15)00076-5 DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.02.028 Reference: CHEMGE 17506 To appear in: Chemical Geology Received date: 17 November 2014 Revised date: 15 February 2015 Accepted date: 20 February 2015 Please cite this article as: Schaltegger, U., Schmitt, A.K., Horstwood, M.S.A., U-Th-Pb zircon geochronology by ID-TIMS, SIMS, and laser ablation ICP-MS: recipes, interpreta- tions, and opportunities, Chemical Geology (2015), doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.02.028 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT U-Th-Pb zircon geochronology by ID-TIMS, SIMS, and laser ablation ICP-MS: recipes, interpretations, and opportunities U. Schaltegger1, A. K. Schmitt2, M.S.A. Horstwood3 1Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland ([email protected]) 2Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA ([email protected])
    [Show full text]
  • Micro-Spectroscopy – Shedding Light on Rock Formation
    VOL. 17 NO. 3 (2005) AARTICLERTICLE Micro-spectroscopy – shedding light on rock formation Simon FitzGerald Horiba Jobin Yvon Ltd, 2 Dalston Gardens, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 1BQ, UK. E-mail: [email protected] Introduction valuable insight into stress/strain in semi- Shedding light on rock Whilst there are many imaging tech- conductors, chirality/diameter of carbon formation niques available to a research scien- nanotubes and crystallinity of polymers. Investigation of mineral and rock samples tist, the information which is provided The elemental characterisation of XRF, can gain strongly from Raman and XRF is often only of a visual/topographical however, is ideal for micro-electronics, analysis. Raman allows fast identification nature. What they fail to provide is true including analysis of circuit boards and of mineral forms, and with microscopic compositional (chemical/elemental) soldering, and compliance testing for the spatial resolution, can be used to study analysis of the materials. However, micro- forthcoming European WEEE/RoHS “lead heterogeneity within rocks, probe inclu- spectroscopic techniques such as Raman free” legislation. sions in situ, and identify minute frag- or X-ray fluorescence (XRF) can fill this Other areas of interest for micro- ments. gap, allowing highly detailed images to spectroscopy include pharmaceuticals At the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität be generated based upon the sample’s (crystal polymorphs, tablet formulation, in Mainz, Germany, Dr Lutz Nasdala and material composition. well plates), coatings (homogeneity, co-workers have extensively explored The information the two techniques thickness) and metallurgy (alloys, plating, the use of micro-Raman in mineralogy, provide are quite different, but their appli- corrosion).
    [Show full text]