|
DOCUMENTATION_FORMAT: Man_Made
SAMPLE_ID: GDS912
MATERIAL_TYPE: Expanded Phyllosilicates
MATERIAL: Expanded Vermiculite Ore
FORMULA: (Mg,Fe2+,Al)3(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2.4H2O
FORMULA_HTML: (Mg,Fe2+,Al)3(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2.4H2O
COLLECTION_LOCALITY: This sample is from a bag of Zonolite® masonry fill purchased in Miami, Florida and supplied by the U.S. EPA. In 2005.
ORIGINAL_DONOR: U.S. EPA
CURRENT_SAMPLE_LOCATION: USGS Denver, CO
ULTIMATE_SAMPLE_LOCATION: USGS Denver, CO
SAMPLE_DESCRIPTION:
The sample has a mottled golden color with numerous dark grains with a grain sizes that range from 0.5 – 5 mm (Fig. GDS912.photo.1).
A modified Cincinnati floation method was carried out on this sample. The sink fraction consists of mica flakes and small particles that were mounted on a stub for SEM examination.
The sample has a spectral signature similar to that of expanded vermiculite ore from Enoree, South Carolina, USA.
Original spectrum published in:
IMAGE_OF_SAMPLE:
END_SAMPLE_DESCRIPTION.
XRD_ANALYSIS:
No XRD analysis is available for this sample.
END_XRD_ANALYSIS.
COMPOSITIONAL_ANALYSIS_TYPE: None # XRF, EPMA, ICP(Trace), WChem
COMPOSITION_TRACE: None
COMPOSITION_DISCUSSION:
The sample was examined with probe microanalysis. Spot analyses on flakes from the sample plot in the two central Enoree fields on the Al/Ti versus Al/[Mg/(Mg+Fe)] diagram (Fig. GDS912.microprobe.1). One spot analyses plots in the rightmost Louisa, Virginia field and one sample plots in the Libby, Montana field.
END_COMPOSITION_DISCUSSION.
MICROSCOPIC_EXAMINATION:
The sample was examined with SEM and Energy dispersive spectroscopy. Particles from the sink fraction were placed on an SEM stub, which was coated with carbon, and examined under high magnification. Points analyzed with EDS are shown in color on SEM micrographs that accompany the EDS spectra. Elongate amphibole particles, likely hornblende were detected based on EDS and SEM analyses (i.e., Figs. GDS912.EDS.1 and 2 and GDS912.SEM.1; GDS912.EDS.6 to 7 and GDS627.SEM.2) Elongate tremolite or actinolite particles were also detected (i.e., GDS912.EDS.9 and 10 and GDS912.SEM.5). No talc was detected on the SEM mount.
END_MICROSCOPIC_EXAMINATION.
SPECTROSCOPIC_DISCUSSION:
The spectrum is typical for a sample with predominately vermiculite. The 1.40/1.42 micron band depth ratio indicates the presence of amphibole, talc, or serpentine probably at the few weight percent level. The shape of the grains of these contaminants cannot be discerned by spectroscopy. The spectral parameters plot in the Enoree/Jiangsu field (Fig. GDS912.spectrum.2) and Louisa/Enoree fields (Fig. GDS912.spectrum.3 and 4).
SPECTRAL_PURITY: 1b2_3_4_ # 1= 0.2-3, 2= 1.5-6, 3= 6-25, 4= 20-150 microns