Incorporation of REE into leucophanite: a compositional and structural study

Henrik Friis Mortensen, Tonci Balic Zunic, C.T. Williams, R. Garcia-Sanchez

5 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

The crystal structures of nine, and the chemical compositions of ten, natural samples of leucophanite, ideally NaCaBeSi2O6F, were investigated. The analysed samples display a large compositional variation with trace-element abundances >50,000 ppm, primarily due to rare earth elements (REE). Fromthese data, we propose a substitution scheme for the incorporation of REE for Ca, with additional Na substituting for Ca and the generation of vacancies to ensure charge balance. Compositional zonation was observed in some samples; this zonation correlates with variations in cathodoluminescence. The crystal structure of the nine analysed samples could all be refined in space group P212121. We found no evidence for a reduction of symmetry with increased trace-element concentration. Various twin combinations were observed and these seem related to crystallization conditions rather than structural or chemical factors.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftMineralogical Magazine
Vol/bind71
Udgave nummer6
Sider (fra-til)625-640
ISSN0026-461X
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2007

Emneord

  • Det Natur- og Biovidenskabelige Fakultet
  • leucophanite
  • krystal kemi

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