Gypsum crystals were grown at 25, 35, and 45 °C from solutions containing different ionic impurities (Mg2+, Na+, Cd2+). Curved gypsum crystals formed from the solutions enriched in magnesium or cadmium, whereas, in the presence of sodium, gypsum always grew undeformed. The mechanism of the curvature is described and an interpretation based on crystallographic considerations is given. Curvature is the result of impurity incorporation followed by crack formation and mechanical twinning which releases the internal stresses.

Seven chemical analyses of pink or green tourmalines belonging to the elbalte-schorl series, along with their physical, optical, and X-ray data are presented. Linear variation diagrams showing the relationship between composition and refractive indices, specific gravities, and cell parameters are constructed. Relationship between colour and chemical composition is also discussed.

The Maimecha-Kotui province in the North of Siberian platform is the largest province of ultramafic alkaline rocks in the world. The province comprises thirty-seven central-type complexes together with numerous dykes. The majority of dykes are radially disposed around the ultramafic alkaline massifs. Data are presented for dykes of the Dolbykha carbonatite complex, which comprises olivine and melilite nephelinites; nosean, calcite and cancrinite phonolites; calcite trachytes and calcite carbonatites.

Some peralkaline phonolitic dykes contain carbonate-bearing globules with sizes of 1−2 mm to 17−20 mm. Globules consist of polycrystalline calcitic aggregates together with albite, phlogopite, apatite, Sr-lueshite, zircon, ancylite, ilmenite and strontianite. The phonolites have phenocrysts of albite, phlogopite and ilmenite. Albite, phlogopite, calcite and nepheline are also present in the groundmass. Analysis of these materials in the light of experimental data on the liquid immiscibility in carbonate-silicate systems suggests that separation of carbonatite from phonolitic melts took place due to immiscibility in the liquid state. I propose that carbonate melts contained originally significantly higher alkali contents which were subsequently lost into the fluid phase due to the incongruent dissolution of calcium-sodium carbonates in aqueous fluid at low temperatures. The discovery of nyerereite in the carbonatite of Polar Siberia confirms this conclusion. I infer that one of the mechanisms for the genesis of carbonatite melt in Polar Siberia was liquid immiscibility in strongly differentiated phonolitic magmas.

The generation of the carbonatites was probably controlled by the depth (and PCO2) of the crustal magma chamber where differentiation took place and probably also by the alkalinity of melts, and the rapidity of magma ascent to the surface.

The coupled thermal oxidation and deprotonation in air of iron-rich biotite (FeO + Fe2O3 = 34%) has been investigated by EXAFS and XANES spectroscopy at the Fe-K edge and by XANES spectroscopy at the Ti-K edge. Samples annealed for 5 h at temperatures between 250° to 600°C have been studied. Distortions mainly of the Fe-Fe correlation within the octahedral layers are reflected in increasing Debye-Waller factors of the Fe-Fe correlation peak proportional to the annealing temperature. Unchanged Fe-O nearest-neighbour and Fe-Fe next-nearest-neighbour coordination numbers show that these distortions, nonetheless, do not change the structural topology of the octahedral layers. A model is introduced to demonstrate that increasing distortions are compatible with the expected heterogenous deprotonation mechanism in biotite. Titanium occurs in octahedral coordination. It was found to be unaffected by the coupled oxidation/deprotonation process. Both the coordination number and the valence state stay constant during the annealing process, in spite of dramatic changes of the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio. Thermally activated hopping conduction involving Ti according to Fe2+Ti4+ → Fe3+Ti3+ is, therefore, not a significant process during thermal deprotonation and oxidation in biotite.

The formation and transformation of hydroxysulphate (GRSO4) and hydroxycarbonate (GRCO3) Green Rusts were studied in situ using synchrotron-based time-resolved small and wide angle X-ray scattering. The time-resolved data revealed, for the first time, the pH dependent transition from poorly-ordered schwertmannite (pH <6.5) into GRSO4 (pH ~6.8) followed by GRCO3 (at pH ~9.6). These data also showed that the addition of Zn to the starting sulphate Fe2+/Fe3+ solution resulted in a change in size of the GR unit-cell due to substitution of Zn into the GR structure.

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the granite composing the eastern part of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, as mapped on Sheet no. 337 of the Geological Survey. The work was undertaken on the suggestion of Dr. J.W. Evans, and comprised the field- and laboratory-work necessary for a detailed study of the petrology and tectonics of the area.

The boundary of the granite, as mapped by the Geological Survey, has been retained, and also the distribution of the two main granite types ('coarse' and 'fine') shown on the Survey map. The coarse granite, however, has been sub-divided into two varieties, and it has been found practicable to map the distribution of each (fig. 1).

The killas inclusions in this granite have not hitherto been studied, and these have received due attention. Similarly, the minor intrusions described include some that have not been previously recorded.

The paper discusses the mineralogy of eruptives from the Nandewar Volcano, which range in composition from hawaiite and trachyandesite to comendite via tristanite and mafic and peralkaline trachyte. Olivine, Ca-rich pyroxene, and amphibole display marked decreases in 100 Mg/(Mg + Fe) ratios in the sequence trachyandesite to comendite, reflecting variation in host rock compositions. The presence of tscher-makitic subcalcic pyroxene and aluminous bronzite megacrysts in several trachyandesites indicates that these experienced intratelluric crystallization at elevated pressures (6–8 kbar). Some titanomagnetite and plagioclase phenocrysts in trachyandesites may also be moderate pressure cognate precipitates. Groundmass pyroxenes of some trachytes and comendites are strongly acmitic. The presence or absence of coexisting alkali amphiboles and aenigmatite appears to reflect stability over a relatively broad range of fO2 conditions. Aenigmatite rims on titanomagnetite and ilmenite microphenocrysts in several peralkaline eruptives provides support for a ‘no-oxide’ field in T-fO2 space. The Fe-Ti oxide compositional data indicate that magmas spanning the spectrum trachy-andesite-comendite crystallized under conditions of decreasing T and fO2 which broadly coincided with the FMQ synthetic buffer curve. However, a voluminous group of slightly older associated rhyolites appear to have crystallized under significantly more oxidizing conditions.

This work has been primarily concerned with plagioclase felspars within the composition range Ab30An70 to Ab0An100, i.e. felspars with the anorthite-type structure. Some results for less basic specimens will be quoted where appropriate ; a fuller description of the effects of heat-treatments on intermediate plagioclase felspars will be published later.

Oxygen partial pressures in atmospheric-pressure quench furnaces were found to vary by as much as 0·5 in log fo2 when changes were made in gas flow rate and direction suggesting that careful analysis of the gas mixture supplied to a furnace is not a guarantee of the oxygen pressure that a sample in the furnace will attain. The use of magnesiowüstite compositions, with variable oxygen contents, as indicators of oxygen pressure is described.

IT was not until 1966 that pseudorutile was first defined. Earlier, its X-ray diffraction spectrum had been confused with that of futile and, to a lesser degree, with those of hematite and ilmenite. Subsequent work has shown that pseudorutile has a world-wide distribution in detrital ilmenite-bearing heavy mineral deposits. The present work has confirmed its magnetic susceptibility and density. In addition pseudorutile is shown to be a magnetic spin glass with a peak susceptibility at 23 °K.

Altered ilmenites, in which pseudorutile occurs as a secondary alteration product, display a range of chemical composition and magnetic susceptibility. The most highly magnetic fractions are not necessarily those containing the least-altered ilmenite, and in material from Capel, Western Australia, the most highly magnetic fractions were those containing grains of ferrimagnetic ferrian ilmenite.

Quantitative X-ray diffraction has shown that West Australian altered ilmenite contains significant amounts of amorphous ilmenite, pseudorutile, and rutile. The magnetic susceptibility of paramagnetic fractions of altered ilmenite from Capel, Western Australia, can be calculated from normative compositions based on chemical analyses.

Radial diffusion experiments have been carried out to assess the migration of 36Cl, as chloride, through a cementitious backfill material. Further experiments in the presence of cellulose degradation products were performed to assess the effect of organic ligands on the extent and rate of chloride diffusion. Results show that breakthrough of 36Cl is dependent on chloride concentration: as the carrier concentration increases, both breakthrough time and the quantity retained by the cement matrix decreases. Experiments in the presence of cellulose degradation products also show a decrease in time to initial breakthrough. However, uptake at various carrier concentrations in the presence of organic ligands converges at 45% of the initial concentration as equilibrium is reached. The results are consistent with organic ligands blocking sites on the cement that would otherwise be available for chloride binding, though further work is required to confirm that this is the case. Post-experimental digital autoradiographs of the cement cylinders, and elemental mapping showed evidence of increased 36Cl activity associated with black ash-like particles in the matrix, believed to correspond to partially hydrated glassy calcium-silicate-sulfate-rich clinker.

The intergrowths of Fe-rich corundum + Al-rich hematite + spinel + hibonite have been found as an assemblage in a plagioclase-clinopyroxene rock (paralava, former hornfels) at the Hatrurim Basin, Hatrurim combustion metamorphic Formation. Most spinels show oriented exsolution structures and vary from (Mg0.75${\rm Fe}_{{\rm 0}{\rm. 25}}^{2 +} $)(Al1.80${\rm Fe}_{{\rm 0}{\rm. 20}}^{3 +} $)O4 (with exsolutions) to (Mg0.77${\rm Fe}_{{\rm 0}{\rm. 23}}^{2 +} $)(Al1.95${\rm Fe}_{{\rm 0}{\rm. 05}}^{3 +} $)O4 (homogeneous) indicating a tendency towards magnesioferrite and magnetite, and enrichment in NiO (up to 1.9 wt.%) and ZnO (up to 1.4 wt.%). Hibonite is Ti rich (TiO2 > 8 wt.%) and close to CaAl9Fe3+(Mg,Fe2+)TiO19. Corundum varies in Fe2O3 (4.2–11.8 wt.%). Hematite is also inhomogeneous and contains oriented exsolution structures of corundum. It shows variable concentrations of TiO2 (0.7–5.6 wt.%), Al2O3 (0.7–8.6 wt.%), Cr2O3 (0.2–1.5 wt.%), V2O3 (0.1–1.0 wt.%) and MgO (0.3–2.0 wt.%). Crystallization of this specific assemblage is assumed to be at 1000–1200°C using evaluations for the corundum hematite pair with reference to published experimental data. The active role of superheated oxidised volatiles is suggested during both crystallisation of this corundum-bearing association and host-rock transformation (melting event for hornfels → paralava).

Further data are presented on the properties of natural and synthetic members of this series. Cell constants have been determined for over 50 specimens across the composition range; the activation energy for a low-high transformation in an intermediate hyalophane has been evaluated as 101·5 ± 5·0 kcal/mole; additional single crystal studies have revealed complexities not previously reported.

Although there remain many detailed problems to be resolved, the present studies allow some suggestions concerning the nature of the relationships within the series. Problems of nomenclature and subsolidus relations are discussed together with some structural implications.

Gersdorffite belongs to space group P213 in the cubic system with cell dimension a 5·6885 ± 0·0003 Å and four formula units per cell. The hk0 data were measured from precession photographs obtained with Mo-Kα radiation. The structure was solved by Patterson methods and refined by least-squares techniques. This structure has complete ordering of arsenic and sulphur similar to ullmannite.

Teruggite is the dominant phase in a soft, off-white, poorly-layered and weakly-cemented surface crust, 10–15 mm thick, occurring in the high-temperature El Tatio geothermal field of Chile. Other minerals present include halite, which is present throughout but also forms a thin (<0.5 mm), brittle, cratered surface to the deposit, nobleite, ulexite and opal-A, with possible traces of illite-smectite and at least one unidentified phase. With the exception of ulexite, none of the minerals associated with teruggite at El Tatio has been reported from other occurrences of this mineral, nor do they occur with nobleite in its sole other known occurrence in Death Valley. EDS and XPS analyses of the main mass of the deposit show the presence of Ca, As, B, Na, and Cl, consistent with the identified mineral assemblage, but with elevated concentrations in Ca and Cl that are presumably associated with a further phase. Little Mg is present and the El Tatio teruggite appears deficient in this element, with Ca presumably replacing Mg in the structure. Unlike earlier documented occurrences of teruggite, that at El Tatio is evaporitic, modern and surficial. It is located some 50 m from the nearest hot (~50°C) pool and there is no evidence of association with fluid discharge. As such, the deposit has presumably derived from a fluid moving in the uppermost levels of the El Tatio field; perhaps a heavily modified version of the brines found in the deep wells.

Chevkinite-(Ce) in a mineralized quartz-epidote metasomatite from the Keivy massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia, underwent at least two stages of low-temperature alteration. In the first, it interacted with hydrothermal fluids, with loss of Ca, Fe, LREE and Si and strong enrichment in Ti. The altered chevkinite was then rimmed and partially replaced by a zone of ferriallanite-(Ce) and davidite-(La), in turn rimmed by a zone of allanite-(Ce) richer in the epidote component. The allanite zone was in turn partially replaced by rutile-titanite-quartz assemblages, the formation of titanite postdating that of rutile. Aeschynite-(Y), aeschynite-(Ce) and REE-carbonates are accessory phases in all zones. The hydrothermal fluids were alkaline, with significant proportions of CO2 and F. At various alteration stages, the Ca, Si ± Al activities in the fluid were high. Formation of the aeschynite is discussed in relation to its stability in broadly similar parageneses; it was a primary phase in the unaltered chevkinite zone whereas in other zones it formed from Nb, Ti, REE and Th released from the major phases.

Arsenic is a very common by-product of the processing of Cu, Au and polymetallic ores worldwide, where the ore is roasted (calcined) to remove volatile elements. In southwest England, a diverse range of As-mineral species occur as efflorescent secondary mineral growths on historic calciner buildings. Gypsum occurs as abundant dendritic growths comprising either interlocking blades or tabular crystals. Ca-arsenate minerals are locally very abundant as white colloform masses. Positively identified Ca arsenates include pharmacolite, weilite and haidingerite. Other secondary minerals include arsenolite, scorodite, bukovskyite and an As-bearing potassium alum, together with a wide variety of unidentified minerals, including an Al-As-S phase and As-rich F-bearing phases. Gypsum contains As concentrations up to ~7 wt.%. Efflorescent growth at sites exposed to the prevailing weather systems is less abundant than at sheltered sites. This is interpreted as being due to ‘pressure washing’ of exposed sites by driving rain. Successive concentric growths of gypsum and Ca arsenate on masonry are interpreted as being the result of seasonal crystallization.

Understanding both current and historicalmining and mineralprocessing methods is criticalin the evaluation of the potential impact on the modern environment. In particular, due to the abundance of As-bearing minerals in a wide range of ore types, many buildings worldwide are potentially significantly contaminated with As even though few are directly related to As production or handling. Characterizing the secondary As mineralspecies present at mine and mineralprocessing sites is critical in understanding the potentialheal th risk these sites might pose.

The Cadomian igneous complex of N. Guernsey includes gabbro, diorite, granodiorite, and adamellite. The gabbro is layered, shows variations in colour index and texture, contains abundant amphibole, and is cut by the diorites. The diorites show little variation in mineral compositions despite considerable variation in modal proportions. They contain numerous thin and roughly parallel veins of leucodiorite and granodiorite, and layers of meladiorite occur in several places within the veined diorites. These meladiorites, previously interpreted as separate intrusions, form individual layers from a few centimetres to several metres thick which can be traced for some tens of metres along strike. The upper surfaces of the meladiorites are planar but the lower tend to be indented and irregular. The layers thin out laterally and usually pass into the host diorite by way of a zone containing dark spots and both the spots and the meladiorite layers are composed of actinolitic hornblende and Mg-biotite.

Chemical and petrographic data are presented for most of the rocks and minerals especially for the meladiorites and their host, the veined diorites. The rock chemistry and particularly the compositions of the amphiboles and micas of the meladiorites and the mafic spots, taken together with the presence of unmixing lamellae in the amphibole and the details of the field relationships, indicate that the rocks tended to equilibrium under subsolidus conditions and are most probably of metasomatic origin.

Acid pipes and pegmatites occur within and are restricted to the meladiorites. The forms of the pipes were previously taken to indicate that they were magmatic at the same time as the meladiorites. The metasomatic origin for the meladiorites proposed here calls into question this magmatic interpretation and it is suggested that the pipe formation is connected with the metasomatic process. It is envisaged that the alteration of the veined diorites took place under conditions in which high gas pressures allowed acidic melt to be produced at temperatures only a little above the solidus of the diorites. The thermal impulse for this recrystallization may have resulted from the polyphase intrusive history of the complex as a whole.