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At least 37 records · Page 2

Partitioning of potassium between silicates and sulphide melts - Experiments relevant to the earth's core.

The partitioning of potassium between roedderite, K2Mg5Si12O30 and an Fe-FeS melt was investigated at temperatures about 40 C above the Fe-FeS eutectic. Roedderite was considered a prime candidate for one of the potassium-bearing phases in the primitive earth because roedderite and merrihueite are the only two silicates containing essential potassium which have been identified in stony meteorites. Application of the results to a primitive chondritic earth is discussed, and it is concluded that extraction of most of the earth's potassium into the Fe-FeS core would occur under the conditions in the early earth.-

Goettel, K. A.↗

Partitioning of potassium between silicates and sulphide melts: Experiements relevant to the earth's core

The partitioning of potassium between roedderite, K2Mg5Si12O30 and an Fe-FeS melt was investigaged at temperatures about 40 C above the Fe-FeS eutectic. Roedderite was considered a prime candidate for one of the potassium-bearing phases in the primitive earth because roedderite and merrihueite are the only two silicates containing essential potassium which have been identified in stony meteorites. A mean K2S/FeS weight ratio of (3.340 + or - 0.015) x 0.001 was determined in these experiments; a K2S/FeS weight ratio of about 0.01 would be sufficient to extract all potassium in a chondritic earth into the core. Application of these results to a primitive chondritic earth is discussed and it is concluded that extraction of most of the earth's potassium into the Fe-FeS core would occur under the conditions in the early earth.

Goettel, K. A.↗

Formation of iron sulphide in solar nebula

Noting that the iron sulfide in the Orgueil carbonaceous meteorite is an Fe-deficient monosulfide (pyrrhotite), it is suggested that such mineral chemistry is inconsistent with equilibrium condensation of the solar nebula and that the course of condensation may have been modified by kinetic effects. The effect of Ni on the reaction between Fe and S to produce FeS is examined, and possible reasons are considered for the fact that the cited meteorite differs in both crystal structure and Ni content from the predictions of equilibrium condensation. It is proposed that sulfide formation in the solar nebula may have been inhibited by sluggish diffusion, so that sulfur began to react with previously condensed troilite to form pyrrhotite. On this basis, observations of the Orgueil sulfides are shown to suggest that the course of solar-system condensation was modified by kinetic effects below about 700 K and that equilibrium may not have been achieved.

Kerridge, J. F.↗

Electrically Conducting Polymer-Copper Sulphide Composite Films, Preparation by Treatment of Polymer-Copper (2) Acetate Composites with Hydrogen Sulfide

Polymer copper sulfide composite films were prepared by treatment of polymer poly(vinyl chloride), poly(acrylonitrile), copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate (90:10), and ABS resin copper (2) acetate composites with hydrogen sulfide. The films showed electrical conductivity higher than 0.015 S/cm when they contained more than 20 wt percent of copper sulfide. A poly(acrylonitrile)-copper sulfide composite film containing 40 to 50 wt percent of copper sulfide showed electrical conductivity of 10 to 150.0 S/cm and had relatively high mechanical strength to be used in practical purposes.

Yamamoto, Takakazu↗

Gas-phase formation of silicon carbides, oxides, and sulphides from atomic silicon ions

A systematic experimental study of the kinetics and mechanisms of the chemical reactions in the gas phase between ground-state Si(+)2p and a variety of astrophysical molecules. The aim of this study is to identify the reactions which trigger the formation of chemical bonds between silicon and carbon, oxygen and sulphur, and the chemical pathways which lead to further molecular growth. Such knowledge is valuable in the identification of new extraterrestrial silicon-bearing molecules and for an assessment of the gas-phase transition from atomic silicon to silicon carbide and silicate grain particles in carbon-rich and oxygen-rich astrophysical environments.

Bohme, Diethard K.↗

Metal-organic chemical vapour deposition of polycrystalline tetragonal indium sulphide (InS) thin films

The dimeric indium thiolate /(t Bu)2In(mu-S sup t Bu)/2 has been used as a single-source precursor for the MOCVD of InS thin films. The dimeric In2S2 core is proposed to account for the formation of the nonequilibrium high-pressure tetragonal phase in the deposited films. Analysis of the deposited films has been obtained by TEM, with associated energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Macinnes, Andrew N.↗

Iron speciation in blast furnace slag cements

Slag-containing pastes and concretes were analysed by element-specific synchrotron-based techniques to determine the speciation of iron on crushed materials through spatially resolved micro-spectroscopic studies. The investigated cement samples were hydrated either in the laboratory, or exposed to river or sea water. Metallic iron, along with minor proportions of iron sulphide and magnetite was detected in the laboratory sample. Iron sulphide, goethite, and siliceous hydrogarnet were discovered in the blended slag cements hydrated in contact with river water for up to 7 years. In contrast, no Fe(0) was observed in blended concretes exposed to sea water. Instead, iron sulphide, iron(II)-hydroxide and -oxide, hematite, magnetite, siliceous hydrogarnet, and goethite were detected as well as ilmenite (FeTiO{sub 3}) in the aggregates. The strong acceleration of Fe oxidation in samples exposed to sea water and the long-term passivation observed in the other samples indicate comparable processes as those occurring on steel bars.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Evidence for metal sources, fluid-mixing processes, and S isotope recycling within the feeder zone of an Irish type Zn-Pb deposit

The origin and evolution of fluids in Irish-type Zn-Pb deposits remains debated, particularly regarding the mobility of metals such as Cu and Ni, sources of sulphur, and the role of fluid mixing and replacement. The Lisheen Zn-Pb deposit, Ireland, offers a well-defined natural laboratory to investigate these questions. While most studies have focused on the Waulsortian Limestone Formation, the primary sulphide host, less is known about mineralisation in underlying units, such as the Lisduff Oolite Member (LOM). The LOM displays enrichment in Cu and Ni and displays intense replacement textures compared to other hosts at Lisheen, making it an ideal target for studying metal mobility and sulphur recycling in carbonate-hosted systems. Through characterising and studying LOM-hosted sulphides, valuable insights into mineralisation processes, especially related to Cu-Ni metals, can be defined. This study integrates petrography, EMPA, and in situ sulphur isotope (δ 34 S) analysis to investigate sulphide paragenesis, mineral chemistry, and fluid evolution across LOM ore zones. Results reveal a multistage mineralising system involving extensive replacement of early pyrite (Py0, δ 34 S = −28.4 to −21.9 ‰) by sphalerite and galena, with zoned pyrite (Py1) enriched in As-Cu-Ni-Tl. The δ 34 S values and trace element trends indicate mixing between hydrothermal and bacteriogenic sulphur-rich fluids, with evidence for sulphur recycling during replacement. Pyrite textures and compositions capture this evolving fluid regime, with trace element enrichment linked to paragenetic stage. The steel ore region, adjacent to major fault intersections, records intense hydrothermal fluid interaction, hosting Ni- and As-rich phases such as nickeline, gersdorffite, and arsenopyrite. These findings highlight the importance of structural controls and fluid mixing in metal transport and deposition, positioning the LOM as a key stratigraphic unit for understanding ore-forming processes in Irish-type systems. These results have implications for targeting similar carbonate-hosted systems globally, especially where deeper or structurally complex ore zones remain underexplored.

58 - GEOSCIENCES↗

Terminal Proterozoic reorganization of biogeochemical cycles

The Proterozoic aeon (2,500-540 million years ago) saw episodic increases in atmospheric oxygen content, the evolution of multicellular life and, at its close, an enormous radiation of animal diversity. These profound biological and environmental changes must have been linked, but the underlying mechanisms have been obscure. Here we show that hydrocarbons extracted from Proterozoic sediments in several locations worldwide are derived mainly from bacteria or other heterotrophs rather than from photosynthetic organisms. Biodegradation of algal products in sedimenting matter was therefore unusually complete, indicating that organic material was extensively reworked as it sank slowly through the water column. We propose that a significant proportion of this reworking will have been mediated by sulphate-reducing bacteria, forming sulphide. The production of sulphide and consumption of oxygen near the ocean surface will have inhibited transport of O2 to the deep ocean. We find that preservation of algal-lipid skeletons improves at the beginning of the Cambrian, reflecting the increase in transport by rapidly sinking faecal pellets. We suggest that this rapid removal of organic matter will have increased oxygenation of surface waters, leading to a descent of the O2-sulphide interface to the sea floor and to marked changes in the marine environment, ultimately contributing to the Cambrian radiation.

Non-NASA Center↗

Probing sulphur clusters in a microfluidic electrochemical cell with synchrotron-based photoionization mass spectrometry

We present synchrotron-based mass spectrometry to probe products formed in the lithium sulphide electrolyte. In operando analysis was obtained at two different potentials in a vacuum compatible microfluidic electrochemical cell. Mass spectral observations show that the charged electrolyte formed sulfur clusters under dynamic conditions, demonstrating electrolyte electron shuttling.

sulphur cluster, lithium – sulphur battery electro↗

Relative quantum yield for the production of O-atom and S-atom from the photodissociation of OCS in the vacuum UV

The relative efficiencies for two dissociative channels in the vacuum UV photolysis of carbonyl sulphide have been determined using the flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique to measure initial yields of atomic oxygen and atomic sulphur. At wavelengths above 105 nm, the dissociation of OCS to form atomic sulphur exceeded that for the formation of atomic oxygen to such an extent that only an upper limit could be placed on the minor process. In addition, the flash photo-excitation of carbonyl sulphide produced a long-lived spontaneous emission in the UV and vacuum UV that might be due to molecular fluorescence from OCS.

Klemm, R. B.↗

Discrimination of rock classes and alteration products in southwestern Saudi Arabia with computer-enhanced LANDSAT data

Digital LANDSAT MSS data for an area in the southwestern Arabian Shield were computer-enhanced to improve discrimination of rock classes, and recognition of gossans associated with massive sulphide deposits. The test area is underlain by metamorphic rocks that are locally intruded by granites; these are partly overlain by sandstones. The test area further includes the Wadi Wassat and Wadi Qatan massive sulphide deposits, which are commonly capped by gossans of ferric oxides, silica, and carbonates. Color patterns and boundaries on contrast-stretched ratio color composite imagery, and on complementary images constructed using principal component and canonical analyses transformations, correspond exceptionally well to 1:100,000 scale field maps. A qualitative visual comparison of information content showed that the ratio enhancement provided the best overall image for identification of rock type and alteration products.

Blodget, H. W.↗

Collescipoli - An unusual fusion crust glass

An electron microprobe study was conducted on glass fragments taken from the fusion crust and an internal glass-lined vein in the H-5 chondrite Collescipoli. Microprobe analyses of the glasses revealed an unusual fusion crust composition, and analyses of glass from inside the meteorite showed compositions expected for a melt of an H-group chondrite. Studies of fusion crusts by previous workers, e.g., Krinov and Ramdohr, showed that fusion crusts contain large amounts of magnetite and other oxidized minerals. The Collescipoli fusion crusts do contain these minerals, but they also contain relatively large amounts of reduced metal, sulphide, and a sodium-rich glass. This study seems to indicate that Collescipoli preserved an early type of fusion crust. Oxidation was incomplete in the fusion crust melt that drained into a crack. From this study it is concluded that fusion crust formation does not invariably result in complete oxidation of metal and sulphide phases.

Nozette, S.↗

Carbonaceous xenoliths from the Erevan howardite

Preliminary studies of the Erevan howardite showed that the meteorite is a polymict breccia. We report on our study of CM-type carbonaceous xenoliths. All of these clasts are enriched in tochilinite and carbonate inclusion as compared to CM chondrites. They also contain a new, P-rich sulphide beside pentlandite. The P-rich sulphide represents a new type of P-bearing phases. It indicates a chalcophile behavior of P under certain nebular conditions.

Nazarov, M. A.↗

Light stable isotope analysis of meteorites by ion microprobe

The main goal was to develop the necessary secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) techniques to use a Cameca ims-4f ion microprobe to measure light stable isotope ratios (H, C, O and S) in situ and in non-conducting mineral phases. The intended application of these techniques was the analysis of meteorite samples, although the techniques that have been developed are equally applicable to the investigation of terrestrial samples. The first year established techniques for the analysis of O isotope ratios (delta O-18 and delta O-17) in conducting mineral phases and the measurement of S isotope ratios (delta S-34) in a variety of sulphide phases. In addition, a technique was developed to measure delta S-34 values in sulphates, which are insulators. Other research undertaken in the first year resulted in SIMS techniques for the measurement of wide variety of trace elements in carbonate minerals, with the aim of understanding the nature of alteration fluids in carbonaceous chondrites. In the second year we developed techniques for analyzing O isotope ratios in nonconducting mineral phases. These methods are potentially applicable to the measurement of other light stable isotopes such as H, C and S in insulators. Also, we have further explored the analytical techniques used for the analysis of S isotopes in sulphides by analyzing troilite in a number of L and H ordinary chondrites. This was done to see if there was any systematic differences with petrological type.

Mcsween, Harry Y., Jr.↗

Cellular Precipitates Of Iron Oxide in Olivine in a Stratospheric Interplanetary Dust Particle

The petrology of a massive olivine-sulphide interplanetary dust particle shows melting of Fe,Ni-sulphide plus complete loss of sulphur and subsequent quenching to a mixture of iron-oxides and Fe,Ni-metal. Oxidation of the fayalite component in olivine produced maghemite discs and cellular intergrowths with olivine and rare andradite-rich garnet. Cellular reactions require no long-range solid-state diffusion and are kinetically favourable during pyrometamorphic oxidation. Local melting of the cellular intergrowths resulted in three dimensional symplectic textures. Dynamic pyrometamorphism of this asteroidal particle occurred at approx. 1100 C during atmospheric entry flash (5-15 s) heating.

Rietmeijer, Frans J. M.↗