Determination of rare earth elements by neutron activation analysis in altered ultramafic rocks from the Akwatia District of the Birim diamondiferous field,Ghana

Summary Rare earth element (REE) analysis using instrumental neutron activation (INAA) was carried out on ultramafic rocks from the Akwatia District of the Birim diamondiferous field, Ghana, with the primary objective of investigating their kimberlitic characteristics. The total REE concentrations range from 113 to 1610 ppm and fall within the interval of those reported in the literature for kimberlites. Despite the marked difference in the REE contents, all the analyzed samples show similar REE patterns that resemble those of kimberlites. However, compared to most of the kimberlites, the ultramafic rocks have small negative Eu anomalies and low light-REE/heavy-REE ratios, suggesting that the rocks have been significantly assimilated by crustal rocks.     

Trace element determination in rocks and sediments by neutron activation analysis

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is one of the most used analytical techniques for trace element determination in rocks, because time consuming operations are avoided. We have analyzed different types of USGS reference materials (G-2, GSP-1, BHVO-1, STM-1, GXR-3, GXR-4, GXR-5), using both thermal (TNAA) and epithermal neutrons (ENAA). ENAA has been used to reduce interferences due to Sc-46 and to other high activities. The following elements have shown an improvement when analyzed by ENAA: Ba, Cs, Gd, Rb, Sb, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Tm, U, Yb, Zr; better results were found for Ce, Co, Cr, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Lu, Na, Nd, Sc, Zn with TNAA. The accuracy of both methods has been tested comparing our results with some published values. The agreement is in general very good. The precision also is satisfactory, being for many elements better than 10%. After these tests, a study on some rock samples from the basaltic plateau of Kenya, east of Gregory Rift, has been performed by ENAA. Among the elements determined in this work, the rare earch elements (REE) can give significant petrogenetic information, by means of their distribution and fractionation in the rocks. The main parameters investigated are the degree of fractionation of light (La to Eu) relative to heavy (Gd to Lu) REE and the occurence of Eu anomalies, when the REE concentrations are compared to chondritic values. The evaluation of detection limits by TNAA has been performed for REE in sediment samples from Thyrrenian Sea (Central Italy).     

变性土发育过程中稀土元素地球化学特征和行为

发育于沉积泥质岩类上的变性土具有特殊的成土过程和土壤性质，且形成有新生体(次生结核)。在研究区内，由于粘粒含量、粘土矿物组成等不同，不同沉积母岩稀土元素含量相差悬殊。在干热的气候条件下，变性土稀土元素较之沉积母岩分异作用不强烈。但在成土过程中，形成的次生结核中稀土元素具有特殊的行为。铁质结核稀土元素富集作用明显，重稀土相对增多，Ce正异常。而钙质结核相对于母岩和土壤，Ce亏损，出现负异常。     

乌江流域沉积岩风化过程中稀土元素的富集与释放

以乌江流域石灰岩、白云质灰岩、白云岩、硅质岩、页岩和砂岩等沉积岩的13条风化剖面为对象，运用R型分层聚类分析和质量平衡计算方法，研究了这些岩石风化过程中稀土元素（REE）的富集与释放及其对植物生长和河水REE分布的影响，目的是为河水物质来源研究和为农业生产提供依据。结果表明：（1）乌江流域石灰土中REE的富集程度显著高于各自母岩、黄壤、上陆壳（UCC）、中国土壤（CS）和世界土壤（WS）；（2）沉积岩风化过程中REE的富集特征和机制可能与母岩中REE分布特征以及风化剖面中有机质、铁（氢）氧化物和粘土矿物的吸附有关；（3）沉积岩风化过程中释放的REE可为植物吸收利用；（4）石灰岩等沉积岩风化过程中REE和F。等元素的释放对河水溶解态REE的分布有重要影响。     

Determination of uranium, thorium and rare-earth elements in zircon samples using ICP-MS

Zircon is an accessory mineral, which occurs at low concentrations in a wide variety of rocks and is a host for hafnium, rare-earth elements (REE) and radio active elements like uranium and thorium. The presence of uranium in zircon has led to its increased use in the age determination of rocks. Zirconium is also considered as a strategic, hi-tech element because of its various applications, especially in the manufacturing, nuclear and aerospace industries. Analysis of zircon constitutes one of the tough tasks in analytical chemistry as it is a highly resistant mineral and it is extremely difficult to achieve its complete decomposition. In the present work, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has been applied to the determination of hafnium, REE, uranium and thorium in zircon samples using two different sample dissolution procedures, one employing sodium peroxide fusion and another using a fusion mixture of KHF₂ and NaF in 3:1 ratio. Some selected zircon samples originating from different places on the eastern coast of India have been analysed by both the methods and values obtained by both methods were found to be in good agreement with each other. Though a number of international zircon reference materials are available, certified or even proposed values are available only for a very few elements in them. Two zircon reference materials have also been analysed by both methods and usable values have been proposed in this paper. The values obtained by both methods were found to compare well with each other and as well with those reported in literature. The % RSD for all the estimated elements varied from 1.0 to 12.0% at different concentration levels.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of some rock samples from Akwana and Arufu areas,Middle Benue Trough,Nigeria

Twenty nine (29) major, minor and trace elements including rare earth elements (REEs) were determined by INAA in rock samples from Akwana and Arufu areas, Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria. The rock units are located within the lead-fluorite and baryte mineralisation there. The concentrations of the major elements in the tertiary basalt (TB) and dolerite are similar while the elemental abundance in the granite gnesses is completely different. The elemental concentrations in the rock samples do not show any known relationship with fluorite abundance. The concentrations of some elements in both tertiary basalt and dolerite show them to be derived from alkali basaltic liquid. The chondritic normalised REE distribution patterns for the TB are similar to those of BCR-1 but the chondritic relative REE abundance is more enriched in TB than in the BCR-1. The chondritic normalised REE distribution patterns for the granite gneisses are also compared to those of the standard granite samples.     

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis of rare earth elements in peridotitic rocks

The understanding of the geochemistry of basalt petrogenesis and the nature of the upper mantle requires the examination of such rocks as peridotites which in many cases are thought to represent upper mantle material. The mineralogical composition of peridotitic rocks in such that they accommodate large proportions of such trace elements as the transition elements but very small amounts of the rare earths and hygromagmaphile elements. The last two groups are often able to provide a large amount of information leading to petrogenetic models. Owing to the extremely low concentrations of the REE in peridotitic rocks it is necessary to separate them from other elements which will interfere with their precise determination. We have used a radiochemical neutron activation analytical method which is adapted from various published methods. It involves a post-irradiation sample fusion, two separate ion-exchange chromatographic stages and finally a fluoride precipitation. The RNAA procedure is capable of providing very precise REE data for perioditic samples and we have used it for the analysis of such rocks from several geodynamic environments.     

江西武山块状硫化物矿石表生风化过程中稀土元素地球化学行为

The behavior of REE during the sulphide weathering is still poorly understood, although REE geochemistry during weathering of igneous rocks has been well documented, in this study, the REE contents of primary sulphide and their weathering products （gossan） of the Wushan copper mine were investigated. The mobility of REE in the weathering profile of sulphide is limited, with the majority of REE retained in the gossans. However, REE are fractionated in the weathering process, with HREE relatively enriched in the gossan samples. Ce is depleted in the gossan, whereas the difference of Eu anomaly of the gossan and primitive sulphide is neglectable.     

Investigations of the separation of Np,Pa, U,Th and ree in geological samples

In the first part some methods of the radiochemical neutron activation analysis of U, Th and REE trace amounts in geological samples have been studied. They are: (i) cation exchange and extraction, and (ii) extraction chromatography. The behaviour of U and Th was also observed and conclusions were made regarding the applicability of the methods for the rocks which are rich in U and Th but depleted of REE. The method is recommen ded for the selective separation of U and Th. The second part represents an effective separation method for the determination of all REE and Th contents in monazites.     

个旧超大型锡多金属矿稀土元素地球化学特征

对比研究了个旧不同类型岩(矿)石(蚀变花岗岩、钙质泥岩、大理岩、矽卡岩矿石、层状矿石和脉状矿石)的稀土元素、微量元素地球化学特征,借以示踪不同类型矿床的成矿物质来源。研究表明不同类型矿石中的稀土元素配分曲线较为相似,成矿物质具有同源性,并与本区的花岗岩具有一定的成因联系。由于其成矿方式的不同,不同类型矿石中的稀土元素特征和矿物组合特征略有差异,脉状矿石和层状矿石中稀土含量相对较少且富集轻稀土,而矽卡岩矿石中稀土含量相对较多且轻、重稀土的含量变化较大。     

Some new methods for the determination of rare-earth elements in geological materials using thermal and epithermal neutron activation

Three procedures are outlined for the determination of rare-earth elements in geological materials. The irradiation of the samples is carried out by either thermal or epithermal neutrons. Two of the methods, one of which is especially suitable for ultramafic rocks are based on radiochemical separations, while in the third method non-destructive analysis is applied to apatites. The γ-ray activity measurements are performed by means of coaxial Ge(Li)-detectors.     

Determination of the rare-earth elements in geological materials by thin-film X-ray fluorescence and inductively-coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry

Thin-film XRF and ICP-AES analytical procedures for the determination of the rare-earth elements (REE) in rocks, involving preconcentration by ion-exchange and co-precipitation with Fe(OH)(3) for thin-film preparation, and matrix modification, are described. The REE in five international reference rocks have been determined, with correction for spectral line overlap whenever necessary. The results obtained by using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry compare well with those of inductively-coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry, and with other values reported in the literature.     

Application of high temperature extraction of iridium to activation analysis of volcanic rocks

A fire assay technique has been applied to lower the detection limit for the determination of iridium by neutron activation analysis of geologic samples. Nickel sulfide is used as collector. Detectable iridium was found in ultramafic rocks, correlating there positively with cobalt, nickel and chromium.     

The determination of some elements in rocks by instrumental photon activation analysis

This text describes the instrumental determination of some elements in silicate samples of ≃1 g by photon activation. The following elements can be determined: In acidic rocks: Mg, Ca, Ti, Mn, Sr, Zr and Nb, in ultramafic rocks: Mg, Cr, Ni, and Mn. The relative standard deviation is a few percent.     

Rare-earth elements in recent calcareous benthic organisms

Fresh and aged samples of foraminifera and red algae from two different climatic areas (the Great Barrier Reefs of Australia and the northwestern Mediterranean Sea) were analyzed by non-destructive thermal and epithermal neutron activation for some traces and rare-earth elements (REE). Mechanisms were tentatively proposed to explain the measured distributional differences: iron scavenging effect, microbial intervention at given stages of very early diagenesis, feeding behaviour of organisms... REE and traces follow increases of iron content during biodiagenesis; this process does not apparently originate discrimination in the distributional pattern of REE. Eu negative and Ce positive anomalies were recorded in both types of organisms; these anomalies were explained by bioprocesses.     

A fast method for apatite selective leaching from granitic rocks followed through rare earth elements and phosphorus determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

Rare earth elements (REE) and phosphorus (P) in apatite were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after partial dissolution of the granitic rocks and pure apatite. The dissolution was performed with nitric acid in an open system and the matrix elements were separated by a cation exchange procedure. Samples of pure apatite from granitic rocks were dissolved with, 0.14 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid. The results showed that the release of REE is due to apatite leaching because it could be assessed by comparing the chondrite-normalised pattern corresponding to the rocks and the pure apatite. Similar results were found for absolute REE abundance from the partial dissolution of the rocks and pure apatite.This simple and rapid method can be applied for the determination of REE in apatite as an indicator for mineral exploration, although its use in petrology could be possible.     

Determination of rare-earth elements and yttrium in silicate rocks by sequential inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry

An ICP—AES method for determination of rare-earth elements (REE) and yttrium at trace levels in silicate rocks is described. The method involves decomposition of the rock sample by heating with a mixture of hydrofluoric and perchloric acid, followed by precipitation of the REE and Y as oxalates, with calcium as carrier. The oxalate precipitate is ignited to the oxide, which is then dissolved in dilute nitric acid and the solution is used for ICP—AES measurements, with use of pure REE solutions as calibration standards. The method has been applied to the determination of REE in a number of standard reference materials and the results have been compared with the reported values. Three other silicate rock samples have also been analysed for REE and Y by this method.     

Simultaneous determination of fluorine and chlorine in silicate rocks by a rapid spectrophotometric method

A rapid accuiate method is described for simultaneous determination of fluorine and chlorine in silicate rocks by taking, separate aliquots of the single sample dissolution. Fluorine, without separation, was determined by means of the zirconium-criochrome cyanine R complex, whereas chlorine was determined by means of the stable iron (III) thiocyanate complex. The mctliod was tested with standard rocks. Results with geochemical standards were comparable with analyses reported by others. Application to several acidic, mafic, and ultramafic rock samples, gave results with a relative standard deviation of less than 5 %.     

Determination of rare earth elements in sediment cores from Northern Saronikos Gulf,Greece, by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) has been applied for the determination of 8 rare earth elements (REE) in sediment cores collected from stations of polluted and unpolluted areas of Northern Saronikos Gulf. The REE determined in cores are: La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb and Lu. Higher levels of all REE were found in the cores from polluted areas of N. Saronikos Gulf as compared with those from unpolluted areas. Different vertical profiles of REE were found in the cores from two stations of polluted areas which indicate that REE may distinguish pollution sources.     

Simple radiochemical neutron-activation method for the determination of uranium in ultramafic rocks

A radiochemical neutron-activation method for the determination of trace concentrations of uranium in rocks is described. The method is based on separation of 23·5-min ²³⁹U after alkaline fusion by extraction with tri-n-butyl phosphate from moderately concentrated nitric acid, followed by measurement of the 74-keV γ-ray with a Ge(Li) detector. The limit of detection is 0·2 ng of U under the present conditions, and the precision at the 0·005 ppm level is about 10%. The method is especially useful for determination of uranium in ultramafic rocks.