Natural occurrence and stability of pyrochlore in carbonatites, related hydrothermal systems, and weathering environments
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Menai, New South Wales (Australia). Materials Div.
Stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric (defect) pyrochlores crystallize during the magmatic and late magmatic-hydrothermal phases of carbonatite emplacement (T > 450--550 C, P < 2 kb). Defect pyrochlores can also form at low temperatures in laterite horizons during weathering. After crystallization, pyrochlore is subject to alteration by hydrothermal fluids (T {approximately} 550--200 C) and ground water. Alteration occurs primarily by ion exchange of low valence A-site cations together with O, F, and OH ions. The high valence cations Th and U are generally immobile; however, the authors have documented one example of hydrothermal alteration involving loss of U together with cation exchange at the B-site in samples from Mountain Pass, California. During laterite accumulation, the cation exchange rate of pyrochlore greatly exceeds the rate of matrix dissolution. The exceptional durability of pyrochlore in natural environments is related to the stability of the B-site framework cations. In carbonatites, defect pyrochlores may contain significant amounts of Si (up to 7.6 wt% SiO{sub 2}) which is negatively correlated with Nb.
- OSTI ID:
- 264487
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-951155-; ISBN 1-55899-315-0; TRN: 96:016632
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Fall meeting of the Materials Research Society (MRS), Boston, MA (United States), 27 Nov - 1 Dec 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Scientific basis for nuclear waste management 19; Murphy, W.M. [ed.] [Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (United States)]; Knecht, D.A. [ed.] [Lockheed Idaho Technologies Co., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)]; PB: 957 p.; Materials Research Society symposium proceedings, Volume 412
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Incorporation of uranium in pyrochlore oxides and pressure-induced phase transitions
Geology and regional implications of carbonatites in the Lemitar Mountains, central New Mexico