The kinetics of glauconite dissolution have been determined in the pH range 2—10 (T = 25°C) using flow-batch reactor experiments. Besides the kinetic characteristics, the structural and textural aspects which could influence its long-term reactivity have also been characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and BET surface area measurements. The results from these analyses showed that glauconite follows a dual dissolution pathway which is pH-dependent, being more stable at neutral or slightly alkaline pH values. Under acidic conditions, glauconite is slightly more soluble than other ubiquitous silicates present in the marine sediments. The dissolution mechanism is incongruent at very acid pH values and tends to be congruent for intermediate and neutral ones. In addition, the results from the structural analyses suggest that the dissolution is a two-step process: the first one involves the disorder of the octahedral and tetrahedral layers, probably following a turbostratic mechanism which is evident in the XRD spectra as selective broadening of several reflections. In the second step, the dissolution of the cations from interlayer positions takes place and leads to the formation of an amorphous residue which acts as a passivating layer and reduces the reactive surface considerably. The influence of these aspects on CO2 capture via carbonation reactions is discussed.

Both Species were Found as post-Mine Minerals in the Lone Pine mine, Catron County, New Mexico. They occur encrusting ores of fluorite-pyrite with khademite and gypsum.

Wilcoxite is clear, colourless to white, H = 2, D = 1.58. Abundant as spongy masses of perfect to somewhat rounded crystals. Stubby prisms are bounded by {100}, {010}, {110}, {10}, and {01}. Triclinic P or P1 with a = 14.90, b = 6.65, c = 6.77 Å, α = 117° 26′, β = 100° 35′, γ = 80° 10′, and Z = 1. Strongest lines are 5.654(9) 110, 11, 4.908(10) 11, 4.371(6) 201, 210, and 3.384(5) 11, 111. Biaxial negative with α = 1.424, β = 1.436, γ = 1.438, 2Vα = 48°. Analysis gave MgO 6.61%, Al2O3 8.13, Fe2O3 0.46, MnO 0.13, SO3 27.50, H2O 56.40, F 3.48, total 101.24 (corr. for O ≡ F) leading to MgAl(SO4)2F·18H2O.

Lannonite is usually as chalky white aggregates of microscopic tetragonal (square) platelets; H = 2, D = 2.22. Indexed as tetragonal a = 6.84, c = 28.01 Å, and Z = 1. Strongest lines are 13.98(10) 002, 4.840(7) 110, 3.980(5) 116, and 3.456(7) 017. Uniaxial positive with ω = 1.460 and ε = 1.478. Analysis gave CaO 12.06%, MgO 4.46, Al2O3 11.06, SO3 34.40, H2O 32.00, F 9.44, total 99.45 (corr. for O ≡ F) leading to HCa4Mg2Al4 (SO4)8F9·32H2O.

Both minerals and mineral names have been approved by the Commission on New Minerals and New Mineral Names, IMA.

New analytical data for the khademite associated with these species are presented.

Strongly peraluminous, cordierite-bearing anatectic dacites from the offshore Tertiary Erlend volcanic centre, north of the Shetland Isles, are shown to contain graphite which is interpreted as being essentially a restite phase inherited from carbonaceous pelitic source rocks. The form and characteristics of the graphite are documented and graphite geothermometry applied to establish that the graphite records a minimum peak temperature of ∼800°C, confirming that temperatures at which anatexis occurs were attained. The different morphological forms of graphite observed suggest the possibility that minor amounts of fluid-deposited graphite may also be present. The chemistry of the Erlend dacites is compared with that of other known examples of graphite-bearing peraluminous silicic igneous rocks and briefly with experimentally generated peraluminous liquid compositions. The Erlend source rocks were probably subjected to a higher degree of partial melting than has occurred in the petrogenesis of many other anatectic peraluminous silicic rocks.

The tholeiite of Kinkell (11 km. north of Glasgow G.P.O.) was described by the first author (Walker, 1930) and an analysis of its residual glass was given in a later publication (Walker, 1935). Since unaltered and separable residual glasses of basaltic rocks are rare, the Kinkell example has been referred to frequently in petrological literature. E. A. Vincent (1950) has made a detailed comparison between the Kinkell glass and a similar one from a tholeiite from Kap Daussy, east Greenland. In view of this and of the important part played by such glasses in discussions on basaltic differentiation, all the major constituents of the Kinkell rock have been isolated and analysed chemically and spectrographically. They are described below together with a fuller account of the field relations of the rock and some comments upon the significance of the new data.

Chemical and mineralogical investigations show that the Bitburg meteorite is not a pallasite, but a group-IB iron meteorite. Like other members of this group it contains chondritic silicates.

Bariosincosite is a new barium vanadium phosphate hydrate from the Spring Creek Mine, near Wilmington, South Australia. The new mineral occurs as irregular clusters of pale green, very thin platey crystals up to 250 µm across and 2 to 5 µm thick. The tetragonal crystals are tabular on {001} and the other form present is {100}. Associated with bariosincosite are quartz, cuprite, native copper, fluorapatite, whitlockite, baryte and springcreekite, BaV33+ (PO4)2(OH,H2O)6. Bariosincosite appears to have formed under supergene or low-temperature late-stage hydrothermal conditions. Electron microprobe analysis yielded: BaO 23.20; SrO 4.19; CaO 0.36; VO2 31.55; Fe2O3 0.20; Al2O3 0.50; P2O5 28.15; H2O 13.93 (calculated). These data give an empirical formula of (Ba0.77Sr0.20Ca0.03)∑1.00[(V0.964+ Al0.03Fe0.013+)∑1.00O(PO4)]2·4H2O, calculated on the basis of two P atoms. The simplified formula is Ba(V4+OPO4)2·4H2O. The mineral is transparent with a very pale green streak, a vitreous lustre and an estimated Mohs hardness of 3. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder pattern are [dobs (Iobs) (hkl)] 6.414 (20) (110, 002); 5.748 (70) (111); 4.552 (30) (112, 200); 3.198 (20) (220, 004); 3.100 (100) (203, 221); 2.847 (40) (222, 114); 2.786 (80) (311); 2.368 (30) (313, 115); and 2.017 (100) (420, 332, 116). These data were indexed on a tetragonal cell, with a = 9.031(6), c = 12.755(8) Å and V = 1040(1) Å3; the space group is probably P4/n or P4/nmm. For Z = 4 and using the empirical formula, the calculated density is 3.306 gm/cm3. Bariosincosite is uniaxial negative with ω = 1.721(2) and ε = 1.715(2) (white light); pleochroism is weak from colourless (E) to pale green (O), absorption O > E. The mineral is named for the relationship to sincosite, Ca(V4+OPO4)2·4H2O.

Microporous slicates with the pharmacosiderite structure and the general formula A3–xH1+x[Ti4O4(SiO4)3](H2O)n (A = Na, K, Cu), (n = 6–9, x = 0–2) are outstanding in their ion-exchange properties. The ivanyukite mineral group consists of three species, one of which has two polymorphs. The minerals forming a progressive series: ivanyukite-Na-T → ivanyukite-Na-C → ivanyukite-K → Cu-rich ivanyukite-K → ivanyukite-Cu, have been studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analysis and Raman spectroscopy. The microporous heteropolyhedral framework of the ivanyukite-group minerals is based on cubane-like [Ti4O4]8+ clusters that share common corners with SiO4 tetrahedra to form wide three-dimensional channels suitable for the migration of Na+, K+ and Cu2+ ions. Ivanyukite-Na-T that has a R3m symmetry loses Na+ in aqueous solutions via the substitution Na+ + O2‒ ↔ □ + OH‒, which allows for the migration of K+ ions and transformation of initial structure into the cubic (P$\bar{4}3m$) ivanyukite-Na-C polymorph or into ivanyukite-K, when most of Na is lost. Natural ivanyukite-Na-C is shown to contain domains of both R3m (subordinate) and P$\bar{4}3m$ (dominant) symmetry with the chemical composition determining the stability and dominance of cubic or trigonal forms. Incorporation of Cu into the crystal structure ivanyukite-K via the substitution K+ + OH− ↔ Cu2+ + O2− in aqueous solutions results in the formation of ivanyukite-Cu. Post-crystallisation processes (such as exchange of Na+, K+, Cu2+, and/or hydration/dehydration of primary phases) are widespread in hyperagpaitic rocks of the Kola alkaline massif and the respective mineral transformations contribute to the diversity of mineral species.

Molecular formulae used to recalculate nepheline analyses generally have different numbers of oxygens (e.g. NaAlSiO4 (Ne), KAlSiO4, (Ks), CaAl2Si2O8 (An) and SiO2 (Q)). A 32 oxygen cell has 16 T cations and 8 cavity sites, but ideal nepheline stoichiometry is not necessarily followed. Ca end-member □CaCaAl2Si2O4 (CaNe) and excess silica end-member □SiSi2O4 (Q’) calculation requires inclusion of both vacancy species as cavity cation values. Q’ parameter calculations can involve different assumptions and four parameters are described: Qxs; QSi; Q(Si–Al); and Qcavity; these should have closely similar values for high-quality, stoichiometric analyses.

Representative published compositions are recalculated to assess whether authors followed ideal nepheline stoichiometry. Phenocrysts from peralkaline rocks and nephelinites typically exhibit Al deficiencies reflected in negative Δ(Al – cavity cation) parameters (ΔAlcc), negative ‘normative’ corundum (Al2O3, Cn), and anomalously low or negative Qxs parameters; for such rock types Q(Si–Al) provides a better estimate of excess silica contents. A ΔT-site (cation charge) parameter (ΔTcharge), is closely coupled to ΔAlcc and end-member NaAlSiO4 has a ΔAlcc/ΔTcharge ratio of 1.4296; the derivation of this value is controlled by strict stuffed-tridymite, unit-cell constraints. Natural nephelines all contain excess silica with a mean ΔAlcc/ΔTcharge of ~1.134 reflecting their Si/Al ratio being > 1.

Nepheline analyses with relatively low Al and Si and high Na (also Ca) contents are common; this might reflect the presence of small amounts (up to ~5%) of cancrinite as an alteration phase or perhaps even in solid solution. The compositions of alteration lamellae of Ca-rich cancrinite in altered nepheline phenocrysts in phonolites from the Marangudzi alkaline complex, Zimbabwe, are used to define diagnostic parameters for recognising such non-stoichiometry. These alteration lamellae formed hydrothermally from Ca-rich and K-poor fluids.

An EXCEL file is provided to help researchers to standardise calculation of nepheline end-member molecular proportions.

Redetermination of the unit-cell dimensions as a 10·406 Å, b 10·813 Å, c 8·926 Å, α 104° 56′, β 96° 52′, γ 125° 19′, has shown that the hitherto accepted unit-cell of Gossner and Spielberger (1929) is in error. The morphological unit-cell of Palache (1933) is related to the new unit-cell, to a high degree of precision, by the transformation Palache → Kelsey-MeKie [001∕01½½∕½00]. Fifteen published and two new analyses indicate that the unit-cell contents approach Na+4 [Fe2-10- Ti4+2] Si4+12O2-40. The common twin axis constitutes the diad of a pseudo-monoclinic cell, the (010) plane of which is dimensionally closely related to that of pyroxenes and amphiboles. It is suggested that the aenigmatite structure is based on silicate chains of pyroxene type cross-linked by Ti4+ and Fe2+ on distinct 6-fold sites, with Na+ on sites of higher coordination number. Aenigmatite from volcanic in contrast to that from plutonic parageneses is often submicroscopically twinned and may be inverted from a high temperature monoclinic polymorph.

Occurrence and relationships. Altered and garnetized gabbros occur in association with serpentinite occupying the lower south-eastern slope of Byne Hill, one mile to the south of Girvan. The rocks crop out above Balaclava Wood near the footpath from Bynehill Bridge to Craiglea. Although the precise form of the altered gabbros is not very well revealed, they appear to be dikes intrusive into the surrounding serpentinized harzburgite. Contacts with the serpentinite are exposed in two places but are evidently lines of later movement. The relationships of these altered gabbros to the main gabbro mass of Byne Hill are obscure. They are, however, probably contemporaneous, since sporadic garnetization of the main gabbro occurs along its contact with serpentinite farther to the south-west.

Mafic rocks of the Bushveld Complex at the southeastern end of the western limb, intersected in bore core from the Cullinan Diamond Mine, are described. A 260 m thick ultramafic body of orthopyroxene and chromite cumulate rocks, with mg# – 100*Mg/(Mg+Fe) – values from 77 to 84 and 0.25 to 0.5% Cr2O3 in the pyroxene, is considered to have affinity to the Critical Zone. Such an interpretation considerably extends the eastern limit of Critical Zone rocks of the western limb of the Bushveld Complex. The whole-rock composition of the lower, chilled basal contact of this body has 10% MgO and 500 ppm Cr, and is comparable to magmas considered parental to the Bushveld Complex. Due to intrusion of a younger sill, the upper contact is not preserved in the bore core. The cumulate rocks have higher interstitial component, inferred from incompatible trace element abundances (Zr, Ti and K), than normal Critical Zone rocks, interpreted to be a result of more rapid cooling due to proximity to the basal contact. The near-constancy of mg# in the pyroxene in the entire succession suggests that large volumes of magma flowed through this conduit, with only the liquidus phases of orthopyroxene and chromite being precipitated.

Five generations of sills, intruded into the underlying metasedimentary rocks, are identified. The oldest is tholeiitic, and was metamorphosed prior to the emplacement of the Bushveld Complex. The second equates to the magma proposed as being parental to the Bushveld Complex (2060 Ma). The third represents the products of differentiation of that magma. The fourth is syenitic, and related to the Pienaars River Alkaline Complex (1430–1300 Ma). The fifth is tholeiitic (1150 Ma), and cuts the Cullinan kimberlite.

Ferro-ferri-hornblende is a new member of the amphibole supergroup (IMA-CNMNC 2015-054). It has been found in a rock specimen from the historical collection of Leandro De Magistris, which was collected at the Traversella mine (Val Chiusella, Ivrea, Piemonte, Italy). The specimen was catalogued as ‘speziaite', and contains a wide range of amphibole compositions from tremolite/actinolite to magnesio-hastingsite. The end-member formula of ferro-ferri-hornblende is A□BCa2c(Fe+Fe3+)T(Si7Al) O22W(OH)2 , which requires SiO2 43.41, Al2O3 5.26, FeO 29.66, Fe2O3 8.24 CaO 11.57, H2O 1.86, total 100.00 wt.%. The empirical formula derived from electron microprobe analysis and single-crystal structure refinement for the holotype crystal is A(Na0.10K0.13) Σ=0.23B(Ca 1.93Na0.07)Σ=2.00C(Mg1.16Fe2+3.21Mn0.O6Fe3+0.45 Al0.12Ti 0.01)Σ=5.01T(Si7.26Al0. 74)Σ=8.00 O22W(OH1.89F0.01C10.10)Σ=2.00- Ferro-ferri-hornblende is biaxial (-), with α = 1.697(2), P = 1 .722(5), γ = 1.726(5) and 2V (meas.) = 35.7(1.4)°, 2V (calc.) = 43.1°. The unit-cell parameters are a = 9.9307(5), b = 18.2232(10), c = 5.3190(3) Å, β = 104.857(1)°, V= 930.40 (9) Å3, Z= 2, space group C2/m. The a:b:c ratio is 0.545:1:0.292. The strongest eight reflections in the powder X-ray pattern [d values (in Å), I, (hkl)] are: 8.493, 100, (110); 2.728, 69, (151); 3.151, 47, (310); 2.555, 37, (); 2.615, 32, (061); 2.359, 28, (); 3.406, 26, (131); 2.180, 25, (261). Type material is deposited in the collections of the Museo di Mineralogia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, under the catalogue number 2015-01. Sample M/U15285 from the historical collection of Luigi Colomba, presently at the Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali di Torino, was also checked, and the presence of ferro-ferri-hornblende was confirmed.

The chemistry and crystal structure of a unique Zn-rich kupletskite: (K1.55Na0 .21Rb0.09Sr0.01)Σ1.86(Na0.82Ca0.18)Σ1.00(Mn4.72Zn1.66Na0.41Mg0.12)Σ7.00 (Ti1.85Nb0.11Hf0.03)Σ1.99(Si7.99Al0.12)Σ8.11O26 (OH)4(F0.77OH0.23)Σ1.00, from analkalin e pegmatite at Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada has been determined. Zn-rich kupletskite is triclinic, , a = 5.3765(4), b = 11.8893(11), c = 11.6997(10), α = 113.070(3), β = 94.775(2), γ = 103.089(3), R1 = 0.0570 for 3757 observed reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo). From the single-crystal X-ray diffraction refinement, it is clear that Zn2+ shows a preference for the smaller, trans M(4) site (69%), yet is distributed amongst all three octahedral sites coordinated by 4 O2− and 2 OH− [M(2) 58% and M(3) 60%]. Of note is the lack of Zn in M(1), the larger and least-distorted of the four crystallographic sites, with an asymmetric anionic arrangement of 5 O2− and 1 OH−. The preference of Zn for octahedral sites coordinated by mixed ligands (O and OH) is characteristic of its behaviour in alkaline systems, in contrast to granitic systems where Zn tends to favour [4]-coordinated, OH− and H2O-free sites with only one ligand species (O, S, Cl, B, I). In alkaline systems, [4]Zn is only present in early sphalerite or in late-stage zeolite-like minerals. The bulk of Zn in alkaline systems is present as discrete [6]Zn phases such as members of the astrophyllite, labuntsovite, milarite and nordite groups, a result of the formation of network-forming complexes inthe low-temperature, low-fS2, high-alkalinity and highly oxidizing systems.

This paper relates an infrared (IR) (6000–2500; 1400–400 cm–1) spectroscopic study of sideronatrite, Na2Fe3+(SO4)2(OH)·3H2O. Spectra in the 600–1250 cm–1 range are dominated by fundamental S–O absorption bands. Factor-group analysis based on the space group P212121(D42) is in accordance with the observed band multiplicity. A broad and convolute absorption centred around 3400 cm–1 and a sharp band at 3605 cm–1 are observed in the 2900–3900 cm–1 frequency region. The resolution of the broad band is significantly improved at liquid nitrogen temperature; seven components can be fitted to the pattern and these can be assigned to H2O/OH molecules in the structure. All components in the broad band and the sharp absorption at 3605 cm–1 are strongly polarized for E//a, in accordance with the structure analysis results. Infrared transmission spectroscopy is a useful tool to identify these sulfate minerals occurring in specific geological environments.

Ilvaite is an alteration product of carbonate, which itself replaced clinopyroxene, in a Precambrian tholeiitic dyke. Additional secondary minerals are ferroactinolite, cummingtonite, chlorite, biotite, prehnite, and epidote. Microprobe analyses demonstrate that the ilvaite is close to the ideal end-member composition [CaFe22+Fe3+Si2O8 (OH)] and that only cummingtonites, Mg/(Mg+Fe2+) 0.77–0.39, and carbonates (solid solutions between calcite and dolomite, dolomite and ankerite, magnesite and siderite) show significant compositional variations. It is estimated that ilvaite formed at temperatures < 470 °C and at pressures < 2 kbar, probably during a low-grade metamorphic event (or events) associated with the Caledonian orogeny. The fluids involved in the alteration process contained both CO2 and H2O, initial fluids probably being richer in CO2 than later ones. Ilvaite may be more common in hydrothermally altered igneous rocks than previously supposed.

Combined microfocus XAS and XRD analysis of α-particle radiation damage haloes around thorium-containing monazite in Fe-rich biotite reveals changes in both short- and long-range order. The total α-particles flux derived from the Th and U in the monazite over 1.8 Ga was 0.022 α particles per atomic component of the monazite and this caused increasing amounts of structural damage as the monazite emitter is approached. Short-range order disruption revealed by Fe K-edge EXAFS is manifest by a high variability in Fe–Fe bond lengths and a marked decrease in coordination number. XANES examination of the Fe K-edge shows a decrease in energy of the main absorption by up to 1 eV, revealing reduction of the Fe3+ components of the biotite by interaction with the 24He2+, the result of low and thermal energy electrons produced by the cascade of electron collisions. Changes in d spacings in the XRD patterns reveal the development of polycrystallinity and new domains of damaged biotite structure with evidence of displaced atoms due to ionization interactions and nuclear collisions. The damage in biotite is considered to have been facilitated by destruction of OH groups by radiolysis and the development of Frenkel pairs causing an increase in the trioctahedral layer distances and contraction within the trioctahedral layers. The large amount of radiation damage close to the monazite can be explained by examining the electronic stopping flux.

Diegogattaite (IMA2012-096), Na2CaCu2Si8O20·H2O, is a new mineral from the Wessels mine in the Kalahari manganese fields of South Africa. It occurs as a minor phase with other copper-bearing silicates, Cu-rich pectolite, sugilite, quartz, aegirine and undifferentiated Fe-Mn oxides. Diegogattaite is pale turquoise through teal blue. It is found as sub-mm sized grains in a main crystalline patch 3–4 mm in size, and is currently known from only one sample. The mineral is transparent with a vitreous lustre and may have a good cleavage on {001}. It is brittle, with an uneven fracture and a very pale-blue streak. It is non-fluorescent in short- and long-wave UV light and has an estimated Mohs hardness of ∼5–6. Diegogattaite is biaxial (–), α = 1.598(2), β = 1.627(2), γ = 1.632(2); 2Vmeas = 44.0(6)°, 2Vcalc = 44.5°; dispersion: strong r < v, orientation: X = b, Y ≈ ⊥(001), Z ≈ a; pleochroism X colourless << Y ≈ Z blue green. The calculated density is 3.10 g/cm3. Electron-microprobe analysis gave: Na2O 8.07, CaO 7.3, CuO 20.5, FeO 0.36, SiO262.4, H2O(calc) 2.34, total 100.97 wt.%. A charge-balanced formula on the basis of 21 oxygen a.p.f.u. is: Na2.00Ca1.00Cu1.98Fe0.04Si7.99H2O21. Diegogattaite is monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 12.2439(6) Å, b = 15.7514(4) Å, c = 10.6008(3) Å, β = 125.623(2)°, V = 1661.87(10) Å3 and Z = 4. The five strongest lines in the X-ray powder pattern are [dobs in Å (Iobs)(hkl)]: 4.25(75)(002,22,220), 3.951(77)(040), 3.261(100)(31,13), 2.898(89)(042,03,003), 2.332(66)(331,43,62,260,043). The crystal structure of diegogattaite was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction to final agreement indices of R1 = 0.027, wR2 = 0.071 and GoF = 1.090. It represents a completely new silicate topology based upon a double-sheet of SiO4 tetrahedra composed of connected 6482 cages. The structure of diegogattaite is related to those of synthetic nanoporous Na-Cu-Si-O-(OH)-H2O (CuSH) compounds, which are of interest to the solid-state chemistry community as potential ion-exchangers, catalysts and molecular sieves. The structure of diegogattaite forms a bridge between these structures and those of the gillespite-group minerals, including wesselsite. The close spatial association of wesselsite and diegogattaite suggests a possible reaction between them that may point to a synthetic route for the production of novel alkaline-earth-based nanoporous copper silicates.

Bredigite is a constituent of the very high-temperature, low-pressure, exomorphic suite of Carneal, Co. Antrim. Although this mineral is very rare in nature, it is an important constituent of some slags and cement clinkers but there has been much controversy about its nature, most of the evidence having come from artificial materials. Chemical analysis of the Carneal mineral shows it to be remarkably similar to that from the type locality, Scawt Hill (also analysed here), and that it is an individual mineral species of generalized ionic composition (Ca,Na)14(Mg,Fe2+Fe3+Mn)2(Si,P)8O32. Ba (abundant in the original analysis of the slag mineral) is not a constituent. Accurate X-ray powder data of the natural mineral are given. Bredigite is not Ca2SiO4, nor is it part of a solid solution of variable composition between larnite and merwinite. Analyses are presented for the associated minerals larnite (allowing appraisal of its composition), spurrite, and spinels. The paragenesis is discussed.