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The platinum group elements and gold: analysis by radiochemical and instrumental neutron activation analysis and relevance to geological exploration and related problems

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of research conducted with the support of the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, at the University of Melbourne, School of Earth Sciences, Radiochemical Neutron Activation Laboratory. The primary objective of this research is to realize the high potential of the platinum group elements (PGE) and gold to the solution of petrogenetic problems, the study of magma generation and magmatic processes in mafic/ultramafic rock suites, as tracers in hydrothermal ore formation. The PGEs (Os, Ru, Ir, Pt, Pd and Rh) are among the least abundant of all elements on earth with unique properties such as high melting points, high electrical and thermal conductivity, high density, strength and toughness as alloys. They exhibit both siderophile and chalcophile characteristics and are valuable tools in providing information about magmatic processes, in particular S-saturation, as well as crystal fractionation trends. Two distinct groups of PGEs are discerned; the IPGEs (Ru, Os, Ir) and the PPGEs (Pt, Pd, Rh, Au) on the basis of their behaviour during fractionation processes. Using chondrite normalized PGE patterns it is possible to distinguish between sulphides that segregated from primitive magmas, such as komatiites, and sulphides which segregated from more fractionated magmas, such as  More>>
Authors:
Reeves, S; Plimer, I R [1] 
  1. Melbourne Univ., Parkville, VIC (Australia). School of Physics
Publication Date:
Dec 31, 1996
Product Type:
Conference
Report Number:
INIS-AU-0003; CONF-9511295-
Reference Number:
SCA: 400101; 540211; PA: AIX-28:056332; EDB-97:118997; SN: 97001840806
Resource Relation:
Conference: 9. Australian conference on nuclear technique of analysis, Newcastle (Australia), 27-29 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1996]; Related Information: Is Part Of 9th Australian conference on nuclear techniques of analysis. Proceedings; PB: 186 p.
Subject:
40 CHEMISTRY; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; GOLD; NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS; PLATINUM METALS; CULTURAL OBJECTS; ELEMENT ABUNDANCE; GEOCHEMISTRY; PETROGENESIS; RADIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS; SENSITIVITY; TRACE AMOUNTS; USES; WATER POLLUTION
OSTI ID:
520451
Research Organizations:
Australian Inst. of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Lucas Heights, NSW (Australia)
Country of Origin:
Australia
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Other: ON: DE97638268; TRN: AU9716145056332
Availability:
INIS; OSTI as DE97638268
Submitting Site:
AUN
Size:
pp. 14-16
Announcement Date:
Sep 23, 1997

Citation Formats

Reeves, S, and Plimer, I R. The platinum group elements and gold: analysis by radiochemical and instrumental neutron activation analysis and relevance to geological exploration and related problems. Australia: N. p., 1996. Web.
Reeves, S, & Plimer, I R. The platinum group elements and gold: analysis by radiochemical and instrumental neutron activation analysis and relevance to geological exploration and related problems. Australia.
Reeves, S, and Plimer, I R. 1996. "The platinum group elements and gold: analysis by radiochemical and instrumental neutron activation analysis and relevance to geological exploration and related problems." Australia.
@misc{etde_520451,
title = {The platinum group elements and gold: analysis by radiochemical and instrumental neutron activation analysis and relevance to geological exploration and related problems}
author = {Reeves, S, and Plimer, I R}
abstractNote = {This paper presents an overview of research conducted with the support of the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, at the University of Melbourne, School of Earth Sciences, Radiochemical Neutron Activation Laboratory. The primary objective of this research is to realize the high potential of the platinum group elements (PGE) and gold to the solution of petrogenetic problems, the study of magma generation and magmatic processes in mafic/ultramafic rock suites, as tracers in hydrothermal ore formation. The PGEs (Os, Ru, Ir, Pt, Pd and Rh) are among the least abundant of all elements on earth with unique properties such as high melting points, high electrical and thermal conductivity, high density, strength and toughness as alloys. They exhibit both siderophile and chalcophile characteristics and are valuable tools in providing information about magmatic processes, in particular S-saturation, as well as crystal fractionation trends. Two distinct groups of PGEs are discerned; the IPGEs (Ru, Os, Ir) and the PPGEs (Pt, Pd, Rh, Au) on the basis of their behaviour during fractionation processes. Using chondrite normalized PGE patterns it is possible to distinguish between sulphides that segregated from primitive magmas, such as komatiites, and sulphides which segregated from more fractionated magmas, such as tholeiites. It is critical to the understanding of these processes to be able to analyse key elements, such as the PGE and gold, in the parts per billion to parts per trillion range. Platinum group elements and Au were determined by radiochemical neutron activation analysis using a modified NiS fire-assay preconcentration technique, adapted from procedures first used by Robert, R.V. D. and van Wyk, E. (1975) . Detection limits are generally 0.005-0.01 ppb (Au and Ir), 0.1-0.2 ppb (Pd and Pt), and 0.1-0.5 ppb for Ru. 9 refs.}
place = {Australia}
year = {1996}
month = {Dec}
}