121,123Sb and 75As NMR and NQR investigation of the tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13) – Tennantite (Cu12As4S13) system and other metal arsenides

This work is motivated by the recent developments in online minerals analysis in the mining and minerals processing industry via nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR). Here we describe a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and NQR study of the minerals tennantite (Cu₁₂As₄S₁₃) and tetrahedrite (Cu₁₂ Sb₄S₁₃). In the first part NQR lines associated with ⁷⁵As in tennantite and ^121,123Sb isotopes in tetrahedrite are reported. The spectroscopy has been restricted to an ambient temperature studies in accord with typical industrial conditions. The second part of this contribution reports nuclear quadrupole-perturbed NMR findings on further, only partially characterised, metal arsenides. The findings enhance the detection capabilities of NQR based analysers for online measurement applications and may aid to control arsenic and antimony concentrations in metal processing stages.     

粘土矿物对低浓度镧、钕的吸附性研究

采用振荡平衡法,对高岭土、膨润土、凹凸棒石等3种不同类型的粘土矿物进行低浓度稀土元素镧、钕的吸附试验;通过ICP测定培养溶液的平衡浓度和吸附量,绘制各自的等温吸附曲线并拟合吸附热力学方程.得出 Langmuir方程能较好地描述低浓度条件下3种粘土矿物对稀土元素(La,Nd)的等温吸附过程;发现3种粘土矿物对稀土元素(La,Nd)的吸附性能大小排序为:膨润土＞凹凸棒石＞高岭土,吸附性能表现的差异性主要由粘土矿物自身的晶层结构决定.     

原位微区X射线荧光分析在矿物学研究中的应用

从新疆采集了13件岩矿石样品,用于研究蚀变过程中矿物的元素含量变化特征。成都理工大学研制的IED-6000型原位微区X射线荧光分析仪被应用于获得蚀变过程中矿物的化学和物理数据。这种无损的微区X射线荧光分析仪主要是以低功耗X光管和电致冷Si-PIN半导体探测器为基础,采用毛细管X射线透镜实现微区测量的功能,并且能够集成到任何显微镜上进行测量,焦斑长轴直径约110 μm。通过微区X射线荧光测量,将黝铜矿更正为黄铁矿,提高了矿物鉴定的效率及准确性;在蚀变剖面研究中,矿化岩石样品的长石颗粒都富含Cu和Zn元素,可以作为找矿直接指示元素。Cr,Mn和Co等元素含量与矿化程度呈负相关。     

Quantitative analysis of original and powdered rocks and mineral inclusions by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Direct analysis of rocks by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is described. Both powdered standard rocks and the original rocks were analysed and the results agreed with each other in spite of the difference in the surface states. Microprobe analysis of biotite in granite JG1 was also done directly with a focused laser beam and the results obtained were very close to the solution values given by the conventional aqueous method using biotite separated from an original rock. For quantitative analysis, the measured signal intensity was normalized either by the ablated weight or the barium signal intensity. Forty-two major and minor elements (two of them being used as internal standards) in twelve standard rocks fromt the igneous rock series of the Geological Survey of Japan were determined successfully.     

Decomposition procedure with aqua regia and hydrofluoric acid at room temperature for the spectrophotometric determination of phosphorus in rocks and minerals

A rapid spectrophotometric method for the determination of phosphorus in rocks and minerals is described. The sample solution is prepared by treatment with hydrofluoric and aqua regia at room temperature. Unreacted fluoride ions are complexed with boric acid. As fluoride ions do not have to be removed by heating, the method is rapid and avoids the use of platinum ware.     

Evaluation of the odd-even effect in limits of detection for electron microprobe analysis of natural minerals

Limit of detection (LOD), being a fundamental quality parameter for analytical techniques, has been recently investigated and a systematic behavior has been observed for most odd-even element pairs for many techniques. However, to the best of our knowledge very few LOD data are available in published literature for electron microprobe analysis; these consist of three papers, two being on rare-earth elements and the third covering a large number of elements of atomic number between 21 and 92. These data confirm the systematic behavior of LODs for many odd-even pairs. To initiate to full this gap, we determined LODs for several major rock-forming chemical elements from Na to Fe with atomic numbers between 11 and 26, during the microprobe analysis of common minerals (olivine, plagioclase, pyroxene, amphibole, quartz, and opaques) in volcanic rocks. The odd-even effect of nuclear stability seems to be present in LOD data for most odd-even pairs investigated. Nevertheless, the experimental strategy concerning the reference materials, calibration procedure, and blank measurements, should be substantially modified to better evaluate the systematic behavior of LOD values in microprobe analysis.     

Some new trends in the ionoluminescence of minerals

Ionoluminescence (IL) has mainly been used to detect impurities or defects inside synthetic materials. This paper gives a summary of new applications of IL to natural minerals that might be found in ancient pieces of jewellery or decorative artefacts (affreschi, stucchi, mosaics). Some relevant examples of its use for archaeometrical purposes are given to highlight the potential of the technique. Chemical information can be obtained by luminescent characterization of minerals. IL spectra act as digital imprint for elements or defects inside each material, enabling differentiation of natural specimens from imitations and/or synthetic analogues. Crystal field theory indicates it is the coordination number of the emitter inside the crystalline structure that gives information on its valence. Historical confusion between rubies and red spinel can easily be resolved by analysis of IL spectra. Modern synthetic diamonds can also be discriminated and blue sapphire can be distinguished from blue kyanite, a silicate that is currently being sold as its imitation. The technique can also differentiate between the synthetic and the natural gems. Polymorphs can be identified, and it is possible to recognize minerals from isomorphic series (from the same chemical group with the same structure) even when they share the same light emitter (e.g. Mn²⁺, in carbonates). High-quality glasses (e.g. laser glasses) which are normally used for faking gemstones can be also detected. We fully believe IL will, in the future, be a powerful technique for determining the crystallinity of solids. This paper gives an overview of possible applications of IL to archaeometry for mineral characterization; this is a new application that still requires further study.     

矿产品水分含量代表值Bootstrap模拟取样估计

在对矿产品水分含量基础统计学特征描述的基础上,采用内核密度估计对水分含量数据多态性进行了分析,根据双态分布的特点,使用Bootstrap模拟取样方法对试验样本值模拟重复取样,以多次Bootstrap模拟取样的均值与标准偏差作为矿产品水分含量有限样本代表值及标准偏差的稳健估计,实践证明Bootstrap模拟取样估计对矿产品水分含量代表值的估计是有效的,该项研究为矿产品水分含量代表值的准确评估提供了一种新方法.     

Autocorrelation infrared analysis of mineralogical samples: the influence of user controllable experimental parameters

Autocorrelation infrared (ACIR) analysis is based upon the application of the autocorrelation function corr(alpha,omega') = integral(-infinity)(infinity) alpha(omega + omega') alpha(omega) d omega to standard Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) transmission spectra. We present a rigorous examination of the effect of experimental parameters such as dilution ratio, spectral resolution, grinding time and pressing conditions upon the ACIR analysis of haematite. Results were found to vary by less than 4.5% irrespective of sample preparation, instrumental and data collection parameters. For a series of perovskite samples, the relationship between the measured effective linewidth and material composition appears to be reproducible, even though the absolute magnitudes of delta corr values do not. Our results further indicate that the ACIR technique is indeed valid for comparative analysis of synthetic sample sequences that vary slightly in composition or structural state, provided that primary spectra are all recorded by the same instrument.     

Mineral content and physical properties of local and imported honeys in Saudi Arabia

In addition to color, ash and electrical conductivity (EC), the levels of 14 minerals were investigated in 23 varieties of honey from Saudi Arabia and six other countries. The quantities of the macrominerals obtained were as follows (in ppm): K (298.60–491.40), Mg (80.70–199.30), Ca (60.75–99.95), P (21.10–33.29), and Na (15.69–26.93). The quantities of trace minerals were as follows (in ppm): Fe (67.18–98.13), I (12.61–94.68), Mn (4.15–6.04), Zn (3.44–5.72), Li (1.15–4.26), Co (1.00–1.32), and Ni (0.15–0.67). The quantities of the heavy metals Pb and Cd were found to be 0.06–0.23 and 0.00–0.16, respectively. The values of the tested elements—color, ash and EC—varied among the tested honeys according to their botanical origin. Dark honeys, especially acacia honeys, had higher elemental content and EC values than lighter ones. Saudi and Yemeni seder honeys exhibited no distinctive characteristics in their tested parameters. The levels of heavy metals indicated that the tested honeys were safe for human consumption.