Distribution and Properties of Clinoptilolite-B Earing Tuffs in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation on the Ute Mountain Ute Re
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Distribution and Properties of Clinoptilolite-B earing Tuffs in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, Southwestern Colorado and Northwestern New Mexico U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 2061-A AVAILABILITY OF BOOKS AND MAPS OF THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Instructions on ordering publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, along with prices of the last offerings, are given in the current-year issues of the monthly catalog "New Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey." Prices of available U.S. Geological Survey publications re leased prior to the current year are listed in the most recent annual "Price and Availability List." Publications that may be listed in various U.S. Geological Survey catalogs (see back inside cover) but not listed in the most recent annual "Price and Availability List" may no longer be available. 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For maps, address mail orders to Maps Only U. S. Geological Survey, Map Distribution Maps may be purchased over the counter at the following Box 25286, BIdg. 810, Federal Center U.S. Geological Survey offices: Denver, CO 80225 Residents of Alaska may order maps from FAIRBANKS, Alaska-New Federal Bldg, 101 Twelfth Ave. U.S. Geological Survey, Earth Science Information Center ROLLA, Missouri-1400 Independence Rd. 101 Twelfth Ave., Box 12 Fairbanks, AK 99701 STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Mississippi-Bldg. 3101 Distribution and Properties of Clinoptilolite-B earing Tuffs in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, Southwestern Colorado and Northwestern New Mexico By PAULA L. HANSLEY and RICHARD A. SHEPPARD GEOLOGIC STUDIES OF THE UTE MOUNTAIN UTE INDIAN RESERVATION U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 2061-A Prepared in cooperation with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1993 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Dallas L. Peck, Director For sale by USGS Map Distribution Box 25286, Building 810 Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hansley, Paula L., Distribution and properties of clinoptilolite-bearing tuffs in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico / by Paula L. Hansley and Richard A. Sheppard. p. cm. (U.S. Geological Survey bulletin ; 2061-A) Includes bibliographical references. Supt. of Docs. no.: 119.3:2061-A 1. Clinoptilolite Ute Mountain Indian Reservation. 2. Morrison Formation. I. Sheppard, Richard A. II. Titie. ni. Series. QE75.B9 no. 2061-A [TN948.C6] 557.3 s dc20 [549'.68] 93-11143 CIP CONTENTS Abstract................................................................................................................................ Al Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 1 Geologic Setting.................................................................................................................. 3 Methods of Study................................................................................................................. 3 Sample Descriptions............................................................................................................ 4 General Descriptions................................................................................................. 4 Petrographic Descriptions of Selected Samples........................................................ 4 Clinoptilolite........................................................................................................................ 6 Description and Identification................................................................................... 6 Chemical Composition.............................................................................................. 8 NH4+-Exchange Capacity.......................................................................................... 9 Economic Potential of Clinoptilolite-Bearing Tuffs on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation...................................................................................................................... 10 References Cited.................................................................................................................. 10 FIGURES 1. Index map showing Ute Mountain Ute Reservation and sample localities.................................................................... A2 2. Photomicrograph of clinoptilolite pseudomorph of a glass shard.................................................................................. 7 3. Scanning electron micrograph of clinoptilolite crystals filling a vug in a smectitic matrix........................................... 7 4. Photomicrograph of clinoptilolite in a calcite-filled vug................................................................................................ 8 TABLES 1. Localities and descriptions of samples........................................................................................................................... A5 2. Mineralogical composition of tuffaceous samples......................................................................................................... 6 3. Mean index of refraction for selected clinoptilolite crystals.......................................................................................... 8 4. Chemical analyses of three clinoptilolite-rich tuffs........................................................................................................ 9 5. Semiquantitative analyses of clinoptilolite crystals........................................................................................................ 9 6. NH4+-exchange capacity of three clinoptilolite-bearing tuffs........................................................................................ 10 m DISTRIBUTION AND PROPERTIES OF CLINOPTILOLITE-BEARING TUFFS IN THE UPPER JURASSIC MORRISON FORMATION ON THE UTE MOUNTAIN UTE RESERVATION, SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO AND NORTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO By Paula L. Hansley and Richard A. Sheppard ABSTRACT Mountain Ute Reservation in southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico (fig. 1). Zeolites are an important The distribution, purity, chemistry, and ammonium group of minerals that are used in a wide variety of industrial (NH4+)-exchange capacity of clinoptilolite on the Ute and agricultural applications including sewage-effluent Mountain Ute Reservation were evaluated to determine the treatment, fertilizers, dietary supplements for livestock, and economic potential of this area for this commercially impor radioactive waste treatment (Mumpton, 1981b). These tant zeolite. Altered volcanic ash beds in the Brushy Basin applications take advantage of the unique crystal structures Member of the Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic), which and chemical and physical properties that enable zeolites to crop out at many locations on the Reservation, contain sig exhibit reversible dehydration, cation exchange, adsorption, nificant amounts of clinoptilolite. Clinoptilolite-bearing and acid and thermal stability. Zeolites are crystalline units are easily recognized by their distinctive salmon- hydrated aluminosilicates with open structures characterized orange color. The Brushy Basin Member is believed to be by an infinitely extended framework of SiC>4 and A1C>4 tetra- the oldest sedimentary unit in the United States to host cli hedra enclosing interconnected cavities occupied by rela noptilolite. Clinoptilolite constitutes