The current study describes the application of a new extraction method for efficient uranium adsorption via cost-effective hydrazine-impregnated activated carbon.Various experimental parameters such as time, adsorbent...The current study describes the application of a new extraction method for efficient uranium adsorption via cost-effective hydrazine-impregnated activated carbon.Various experimental parameters such as time, adsorbent weight, temperature(°C), and uranium concentration were thoroughly investigated. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized via X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed86% uranium extraction under optimized conditions(20% P2O5 at 25 °C, 120 min). The obtained findings fit well with thermodynamic and isothermal(Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms) models and pseudo second-order kinetics. In thermodynamic studies, the negative sign of(DG°) specified the spontaneity of process, the negative sign of(DH°) revealed endothermicity, and the positive sign of(DS°) showed high randomness after adsorption.展开更多
The potentiality of the alkali breakdown of the poly mineralized ore material south Gabal El-A’urf area, central Eastern Desert, Egypt is investigated. It includes the multiple oxide mineral tanteuxenite, monazite, b...The potentiality of the alkali breakdown of the poly mineralized ore material south Gabal El-A’urf area, central Eastern Desert, Egypt is investigated. It includes the multiple oxide mineral tanteuxenite, monazite, bastnasite, anatase, as well as zircon. This ore material assaying lanthanides (RE2O3 1.9%), niobium (Nb2O5 1.25%) as well as titanium and zirconium (TiO2 and ZrO2 1.23% and 1.12%) respectively besides tantalum (Ta2O5 0.13%), were used for the present work. This sample has thus been subjected to two alkali breakdown techniques using potash;namely agitation leaching and fusion. The latter technique was found to be preferred as it gives higher leaching efficiency. The optimum leaching conditions are weight ratio of the ore/potassium hydroxide 1/2 at 400°C for 1 h. The realized leaching efficiencies attained 95.0% and 93.7% for Nb and Ta respectively as well as 96% for lanthanides and 75% for Ti while that for Zr did not exceed 10%.展开更多
Sedimentary rocks have been found to host several Mn minerals in addition to some economic metal values. Besides recoverable Al occurring as gibbsite mineral, the latter include Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, U as well as rare earth...Sedimentary rocks have been found to host several Mn minerals in addition to some economic metal values. Besides recoverable Al occurring as gibbsite mineral, the latter include Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, U as well as rare earth elements. In this work, the ore material was subjected to sulfuric acid leaching in the presence of oxalic acid as a reductant to maximize the extraction of Mn. The optimum leaching conditions to achieve almost complete leaching efficiency of Mn with Fe dissolution not exceeding 13% involved 0.5 M sulfuric acid and 0.25 M oxalic acid in a solid/liquid ratio of 1/15 at 85°C for 105 min using an ore size of -150 μm. The leaching behavior of the associated interesting metal values (Al, Cu and Zn) has also been investigated.展开更多
Phosphoric acid is a key ingredient in fertilizer production and contains many rare earth elements(REEs).Recovering REEs from phosphoric acid can prevent the accumulation of these elements in the soil and help bridge ...Phosphoric acid is a key ingredient in fertilizer production and contains many rare earth elements(REEs).Recovering REEs from phosphoric acid can prevent the accumulation of these elements in the soil and help bridge the gap between supply and demand.In this concern,a new material called Si-6G PAMAMPPAAM dendrimers modified silica gel terminated with phenylphosphonic acid-amide moieties was developed and its ability to adsorb Nd(Ⅲ)and Er(Ⅲ)from the phosphoric acid solution was investigated.K inetics and isotherm of the uptake process were investigated to explo re the so rption characte ristics.The attained results show that both metal ions exhibit the same adsorption performance,and the uptake process is depicted as a chemisorption,monolayer,uniform,and homogeneous process.The equilibrium state is achieved within 120 min,and the maximum uptake capacity is 16.7 mg Nd(Ⅲ)/g,and 14.0 mg Er(Ⅲ)/g.Sorption thermodynamics is an endothermic,spontaneous,and feasible uptake process.Nitric acid(1.0 mol/L)is found to be efficient for adsorbing about 94.3%and 92.5%of neodymium(Ⅲ)and erbium(Ⅲ)respectively,and the prepared Si-6G PAMAM-PPAAM demonstrates excellent stability over five consecutive sorption/desorption cycles.Preliminary tests on commercial phosphoric acid demonstrate that Si-6G PAMAM-PPAAM retains its effective REEs uptake from a complex comm ercial phosph oric acid solution.展开更多
Alkaline igneous rocks represent one of the most economically important resources of radioactive minerals and rare metals.New field observations and petrographic studies are integrated with whole-rock geochemical anal...Alkaline igneous rocks represent one of the most economically important resources of radioactive minerals and rare metals.New field observations and petrographic studies are integrated with whole-rock geochemical analyses and Gamma ray spectroscopy data of alkaline rocks associated with the Amreit complex.The fieldwork was achieved by the collection of more than forty samples from alkaline granites and alkaline syenites.The youngest rocks cropping out in the study area are the cogenetic alkaline rocks,ranging from alkaline granite to alkaline syenite.These alkaline rocks are composed essentially of K-feldspar,alkali amphiboles(arfvedsonite),and sodic pyroxene,with accessories such as zircon,apatite,and ilmenite.Mineral characterization of the highly radioactive zones in both alkaline granite and alkaline syenite displays enrichment in monazite,thorite,zircon,ferro-columbite,xenotime,and allanite minerals.Geochemical analyses indicate that the Amreit rocks are alkaline with peralkaline affinity and have high concentrations of total alkalis(K_(2)O+Na_(2)O),large ion lithophile elements(LILEs;Ba and Rb),high field strength elements(HFSEs;Y,Zr and Nb),rare earth elements(REEs)and significantly depleted in K,Sr,P,Ti,and Eu,typically of post-collision A-type granites.Typically,the Amreit alkaline igneous rocks are classified as within plate granites and display A2 subtype characteristics.The fractionation of K-feldspars played a distinctive role during the magmatic evolution of these alkaline rocks.The geochemical characteristics indicate that the studied alkaline igneous rocks which were originated by fractional crystallization of alkaline magmas were responsible for the enrichment of the REE and rare metals in the residual melt.The high radioactivity is essentially related to accessory minerals,such as zircon,allanite,and monazite.The alkaline granite is the most U-and Thrich rock,where radioactivity level reaches up to 14.7 ppm(181.55 Bq/kg)e U,40.6 ppm(164.84 Bq/kg)e Th,whereas in alkaline syenite radioactivity level is 8.5 ppm(104.96 Bq/kg)e U,30.2 ppm(122.61 Bq/kg)e Th.These observations suppose that these alkaline rocks may be important targets for REEs and radioactive mineral exploration.展开更多
Geological setting,facies characteristics,and geochemistry,including TGA(thermo-gravimetric analysis)of Paleogene deposits in east Beni Suef region(Egypt),were studied in the present work.Lithostratigraphically,the ar...Geological setting,facies characteristics,and geochemistry,including TGA(thermo-gravimetric analysis)of Paleogene deposits in east Beni Suef region(Egypt),were studied in the present work.Lithostratigraphically,the area consists of three rock units,arranged from oldest to youngest:Tarbul Member of Beni Suef Formation(MiddleLate Eocene),Maadi Formation(Late Eocene),and Gebel Ahmar Formation(Oligocene),this last formation registered for the first time in the east of Beni Suef area(Egypt).Seven microfacies types(F1-F7)were determined by the microscopic examination of the studied samples in low-to high-energy and shallow-subtidal marine conditions.The lithostratigraphic,petrological,and geochemical results revealed that the Eocene succession in the present area is composed mainly of carbonates as well as siliciclastics.The Oligocene Gebel Ahmar Formation consists mainly of silica and iron oxides.The enrichment of the rock units with iron oxides in the studied area,as well as the high proportions of trace elements such as Zr,Ba,V,and Sr,in particular in the Gebel Ahmar Formation,reflects the influence of the hydrothermal solutions during the Oligocene.TGA,which monitors weight changes during heating at a constant rate,was used to determine the thermal stability and volatile component content of the materials.The ferruginous sandstone of Gebel Ahmar Formation exhibits various decomposition phases when exposed to thermal inf luences,with TGA indicating an initial mass decrease starting at 61.8℃.In contrast,the ferruginous limestone of the Maadi Formation shows a single-phase mass decrease between 650 and 875℃.展开更多
In this article,there were errors in Table 2 and Fig.5a which are corrected as below.In Table 2,the row headed alkali granite is incorrect.It should be alkaline granite.In Fig.5[a]the word alkali feldspar granite is i...In this article,there were errors in Table 2 and Fig.5a which are corrected as below.In Table 2,the row headed alkali granite is incorrect.It should be alkaline granite.In Fig.5[a]the word alkali feldspar granite is incor-rect,but should be alkaline granite;the Fig.5 should have appeared as shown below.The original article has been corrected.展开更多
Rare earth elements(REEs) were extracted from phosphogypsum(PG) using an indirect leaching method that produces CaCO_(3).The carbonation process transforms PG into CaCO_(3),and a potential source of value is the(NH_(4...Rare earth elements(REEs) were extracted from phosphogypsum(PG) using an indirect leaching method that produces CaCO_(3).The carbonation process transforms PG into CaCO_(3),and a potential source of value is the(NH_(4))_(2)SO_(4) fertilizer.The calcium carbonate byproduct is rich in REEs that are originally present in PG.Calcium carbonate,a byproduct of PG carbonation and a rich source of REEs,could dissolve in nitric acid to produce a calcium nitrate leach solution that contains RE nitrate.Subsequently,the most widely used solvent extraction technique can make use of an environmentally benign nitrate ionic liquid.Cyphos IL 101(trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride) is transformed into trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium nitrate([P_(66614)][NO_(3)]) ionic liquid by adding 2.5 mol/L potassium nitrate.The extraction examinations were tested by equilibration of 2 mL of [P_(66614)][NO_(3)] with 2 mL of a synthetic solution of 1000 mg/L of individual La,Ce,and Nd to gain the optimal extraction conditions.The high extraction efficiency of La,Ce,and Nd was gained by stirring a 1/1 aqueous/organic phase ratio and 3 mol/L NH_(4)NO_(3)(as salting out) at 800 r/min for 40 min at 50℃ to decrease the viscosity of [P_(66614)][NO_(3)].The La(Ⅲ),Ce(Ⅲ),and Nd(Ⅲ) stripping efficiencies were examined from their loaded [P_(66614)][NO_(3)] ionic liquid by 1/1 A/O ratio of acidified water,800 r/min stirring speed,and 25℃.After nine cycles,the extraction and stirring efficiency for the La,Ce,and Nd drop to about 80%.The extraction and stripping parameters are applied to the RE leachate from PG to gain the RE oxide with an assay of 92.67%.展开更多
Altered granite occurrences (GII and GV) at Gabal (G.) Gattar are the most important mineralized rocks hosting U-mineralization in Egypt. This mineralized granite is affected by multi-stage hydrothermal alteration pro...Altered granite occurrences (GII and GV) at Gabal (G.) Gattar are the most important mineralized rocks hosting U-mineralization in Egypt. This mineralized granite is affected by multi-stage hydrothermal alteration proc-esses along brittle structures. This alteration comprises pre-ore alkali-metasomatism and ore-stage hydrothermal hematitization, silicification, kaolinitization, fluoritization, carbonatization and episyenitization. Autoradiographic examination indicates that primary uranium mineralization is present as massive or disseminated ores along tectonic fractures, interstitially in granular minerals, and as cements of breccias. Uraninite, pitchblende and coffinite are the main primary minerals, while uranophane and kasolite are the secondary ones. Galena, chalcopyrite, pyrrohtite and pyrite are the most abundant sulphides in association with uranium mineralizations. Hydrothermal alterations at the GII occurrence exhibit an increase in Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mo, Nb, Rb beside HREEs and a decrease in Ba, Co, Sr, and V, while alterations at the GV occurrence show enrichment in Ni, Cu, Pb, Mo, Nb, Y, HREEs and depletion in Zn, Ba, Co, Rb, Sr, and V. Hydrothermal alteration during the late magmatic stage is also identified through the development of unusual REE patterns and fractionation of ratios like Zr/Hf and Y/Ho out of the CHARAC (Charge Radius Con-trolled) range. Non-chondritic Y/Ho ratio at GV is of larger value than chondritic one which may result from wa-ter-rock interaction or print from the encompassing sedimentary rocks. Fluid inclusion studies on quartz and fluorite revealed that temperatures of the mineralizing fluids range between 126 and 240℃ at pressure ≤0.5×108 Pa and give salinity values ranging between 1 wt% and 7.8 wt% NaCl equivalent.展开更多
Phosphogypsum(PG), the main by-product of phosphoric acid production industries, is considered one of the most important secondary sources of rare earth elements(REEs). The current study focuses on the recovery of REE...Phosphogypsum(PG), the main by-product of phosphoric acid production industries, is considered one of the most important secondary sources of rare earth elements(REEs). The current study focuses on the recovery of REEs content and the residual phosphate content existing in the PG with preserving on the CaSO_(4)skeleton to be used in other various applications. These attainments are carried out using citric acid leaching process via soaking technique. Several dissolution parameters for REEs using citric acid were studied, including soaking time, soaking temperature, citric acid concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio, and recycling of the citrate leaching solutions in the further REEs dissolution experiments. The best-operating conditions were 14 d of soaking time, 7.5% citric acid concentration, and the solid-toliquid ratio of 1/5 at ambient temperature. About 79.57% dissolution efficiency of REEs was achieved using the optimal conditions. Applying four soaking stages by mixing different fresh PG samples with the same citrate solution sequentially, cumulative dissolution efficiency for REEs was found to be 64.7% under optimal soaking conditions. REEs were recovered using Dowex 50X8 resin from citrate solutions with 96% extraction efficiency. Dissolution kinetics proved the pseudo-first-order nature, reversible reactions, and two activation energies for all REEs.展开更多
The dynamic leaching of lanthanides from a west desert phosphate ore, Egypt (Abu Tartur) by hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid solutions was investigated in this study as a function of acid concentration...The dynamic leaching of lanthanides from a west desert phosphate ore, Egypt (Abu Tartur) by hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid solutions was investigated in this study as a function of acid concentration, flow rate and the presence of some additives such as boric acid. Also the kinetics of leaching of lanthanides was investigated as a function of temperature. It was found that the leaching process could be described by a shrinking-core model, with activation energy about 5.9, 13.8 and 21.9 kJ/...展开更多
Radioactive minerals in pegmatites associated with granitic rocks are commonly encountered in the south of the Wadi Khuda area and found as dyke-like and small bodies.They are observed within garnet-muscovite granites...Radioactive minerals in pegmatites associated with granitic rocks are commonly encountered in the south of the Wadi Khuda area and found as dyke-like and small bodies.They are observed within garnet-muscovite granites near the contact with older granitoids.Field surveys indicated that the studied pegmatites vary in dimensions ranging from 2 to 10 m in width and from 10 to 500 m in length.They are composed mainly of intergrowth of milky quartz,reddish-pink K-feldspar and plagioclase together with small pockets of muscovite.Field radiometric measurements indicated that radioactivity in pegmatites is more than twice that of their enclosing country rocks.Radionuclide measurements revealed that the average contents of U and Th increase gradually from rocks of dioritic to granodioritic composition(1.5×10-6 U and 4.3×10-6 Th) and increase significantly in biotite granites(5.8×10-6 U and 15.2×10-6 Th) but drastically decrease in muscovite granites(2.2×10-6 U and 5.6×10-6 Th).The average contents of U and Th of anomalous pegmatites are 95.3×10-6 and 116.9×10-6,respectively,indicating their uraniferous nature.In the south of the Wadi Khuda area,pegmatites are low in average Th/U(1.4) and high in average U/K(35.6),which suggests that uranium concentrating processes did not affect the pegmatites,indicating poor source-rocks.Mineralogical investigations of the studied pegmatites revealed the presence of secondary uranium minerals(kasolite and autunite),in addition to zircon,thorite,apatite,garnet and biotite.Primary and secondary radioactive mineralizations indicated that the mineralization is not only magmatic,but also post-magmatic.Electron microprobe analyses showed distinct cryptic chemical zoning within thorite where UO2 decreases from core to rim.This feature in thorite is sporadic,suggesting non-uniform redistributions of UO2 within thorite during magmatic processes.展开更多
Tributyl phosphate （TBP） solvent was used for impregnation into Amberlite XAD-16 nonionic polymeric resin beads using the wet method to prepare solvent impregnated resin （SIR）. Undiluted TBP in a ratio to the resi...Tributyl phosphate （TBP） solvent was used for impregnation into Amberlite XAD-16 nonionic polymeric resin beads using the wet method to prepare solvent impregnated resin （SIR）. Undiluted TBP in a ratio to the resin support （volume to mass） of 6.0 at room temperature （RT） in 24 h was impregnated the resin with a mass ratio of 1.944, while the prepared gross sample of SIR at the ratio of solvent to resin of 3.0 was impregnated with a mass ratio of 1.88. Cerium（Ⅳ） oxide concentrate, prepared from crude Egyptian monazite sand, containing 37% cerium, 1.6% thorium and about 40% the other trivalent rare earth oxides, was used to prepare cerium（Ⅳ） nitrate solution for extraction using the prepared SIR. The impregnated resin was satisfactory for Ce（Ⅳ） extraction from nitric acid medium at room temperature. Cerium loading capacity of the impregnated resin reached 95.6% of the calculated theoretical capacity （173 g/kg （Ce/SIR）） under the conditions of 51.57 g/L cerium and 2.48 g/L thorium, 5.0 mol/L free nitric acid, solution to resin ratio of 10.0 and contacting the phases for 5.0 min. The loading capacity reached 98.75% when cerium concentration was increased to 91.43 g/L under the same conditions.展开更多
The G. Abu Garadi area is covered mainly by metasediments, alkali feldspar granites and stream sediments. The alkali feldspar granite is traversed by a major strike-slip fault trending in an N-S direction as well as t...The G. Abu Garadi area is covered mainly by metasediments, alkali feldspar granites and stream sediments. The alkali feldspar granite is traversed by a major strike-slip fault trending in an N-S direction as well as two subordinate sets of faults trending NW to WNW for the first one and NE for the second one. These faults represent the shear zones affected by magmatic (syngenetic) as well as hydrothermal (epigenetic) activities causing alteration of the granitic rocks. The most common alteration features are albitization, greisenization and koalinitization. The mass balance calculations of the studied altered samples show enrichments in Zr, Y, Ni, U, Th and Ga and depletions in Zn, Sr, Nb, Ba, Pb, Cu and V. Only the greisenized samples exhibit a significant enrichment in Nb, ∑REE budget and pronounced lanthanide tetrad effect (M-type), especially TE1,4, while weakly expressed tetrad effects are for the other albitized and koalinitized samples. Mineralogically, the common accessory minerals in the altered samples include samarskite-(Y), betafite, uranothorite, zircon, fluorite and cassiterite. The greisenized granites contain high eU and eTh than the other altered types, where they are characterized by an assemblage of the radioactive minerals; samarskite-(Y), betafite, uranothorite in addition to zircon. The inter-element relationships between U and Th and also their ratios illustrate that the radioelement distribution in these granites is mainly governed by magmatic processes, in addition to post-magmatic ones. The distribution of chemical elements and the fractionation of some isovalents within the shear zone are largely controlled by the newly formed mineral phases. With respect to uranium mobilization, uranium migrated from the host alkali feldspar granites of G. Abu Garadi, while the shear zones acted as traps for the migrated uranium. Moreover, U migrated in the shear zone during greisenization and albitization, and migrated out during koalinitization.展开更多
Two brecciated shear zones (NNW-SSE) are found crosscutting cataclastic rocks. The cataclastic rocks (3.0 km2) occupy the core of the granitic pluton and enclose a roof pendant of mafic-ultramafic rocks. The NNW-SSE-e...Two brecciated shear zones (NNW-SSE) are found crosscutting cataclastic rocks. The cataclastic rocks (3.0 km2) occupy the core of the granitic pluton and enclose a roof pendant of mafic-ultramafic rocks. The NNW-SSE-extending lamprophyre dykes vary in thickness from 0.5 m to 1 m and up to 800 m long, cutting the cataclastic rocks and are composed mainly of plagioclases, amphiboles, relics of pyroxenes and K-feldspar phenocrysts embedded in fine-grained groundmass. They are characterized as being peraluminous, calc-alkaline in composition (chemical trap) and enriched in calcite, sulfide and P2O5. The lamprophyres were affected by hydrothermal alteration (chlorite-carbonate alteration) while the cataclastic rocks were affected by diagenetic alteration (K-feldspar-albite alteration). Uranium mineralization is the product of hydrothermal events and has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), involving primary uranium minerals (U3O8) and secondary uranium minerals (uranophane and beta-uranophane, kasolite, torbernite, autonite and meta-autonite) in addition to U- bearing minerals (astrocyanite, betafite and fergusonite). The presence of different mineral parageneses associated with clay minerals indicates that the lamprophyres were subjected to acidic and alkaline mineralizing solutions. Moreover, the U-Zr/U, U-Ce/U values show negative correlations, confirming U-enrichment in both cataclastic rocks and shear zones while the Th-eU/eTh, Th-Zr/Th and Th-Ce/Th values show negative correlations, indicating that the U-bearing solutions are rich in Th in the cataclastic rocks only.展开更多
The present paper recorded the occurrence of laterites-bearing REEs in Natash area.Natash laterite deposits occur as horizons(5-15 m in thickness) at the boundary between the Cretaceous sandstones,and Natash flows.Lat...The present paper recorded the occurrence of laterites-bearing REEs in Natash area.Natash laterite deposits occur as horizons(5-15 m in thickness) at the boundary between the Cretaceous sandstones,and Natash flows.Laterite was recorded in more than twenty six occurrence distributed over an area of about 500 km2 along and around Wadi Natash.It ranges in color from light-grey,dark-grey to reddish-brown.The distribution of laterite deposits is structural controlled.Mineralogical results of laterites proved the...展开更多
The rare metal minerals of mineralized altered granites within the Ghadir and El-Sella shear zones, are represented by betafite, U-minerals (uraninite and uranophane), zircon, monazite, xenotime, and rutile in the Gha...The rare metal minerals of mineralized altered granites within the Ghadir and El-Sella shear zones, are represented by betafite, U-minerals (uraninite and uranophane), zircon, monazite, xenotime, and rutile in the Ghadir shear zone. While they are columbite-tantalite minerals as ferrocolumbite, pyrochlore, and fergusonite, Th-minerals (cheralite, uranothorite, and huttonite monazite), Hf-zircon, monazite and xenotime in the El-Sella shear zone. Hf-zircon in the El-Sella and Ghadir shear zones (increasing from the core to the rim) contains high inclusions of U-Th, and REE minerals such as cheralite, uranothorite, huttonite monazite and xenotime especially in the El Sella shear zone. The rare-metal minerals, identified from peralkminous granites of the shear zones are associated with muscovite, quartz, chlorite, fluorite, magnetite, and biotite that are restricted to the two shear zones. Uraninite (low Th content) occurring in the Ghadir shear zone indicates the hydrothermal origin, but there are thorite, uranothorite, cheralite, and Hf-zircon in the El Sella shear zone, also indicating the hyrothermal proccess after magmatic origin. Compositional variations of Ta/(Ta+Nb) and Mn/(Mn+Fe) in columbite from 0.07-0.42 and 0.04-0.33, respectively, and Hf contents in zircon are so high as to be 12%, especially in the rim in the El Sella shear zone. This feature re-flects the extreme degree of magmatic fractionation. Four samples from the altered granites of the Ghadir shear zone also are very low in TiO2 (0.04 wt%-0.17 wt%), Sr [(82-121)×10-6], and Ba [(36-380)×10-6], but high in Fe2O3T (0.46 wt%-0.68 wt%), CaO (0.64 wt%-1.23 wt%), alkalis (8.59 wt%-8.88 wt%), Rb [(11-203)×10-6], Zr [(98-121)×10-6], Nb [(9-276)×10-6], Ta [(2-139)×10-6], U [(14-63)×10-6], Th [(16-105)×10-6], Pb [(13-32)×10-6], Zn [(7-8)×10-6], Y [(15-138)×10-6], Hf [(3-9)×10-6], and ∑REE [(81-395)×10-6, especially LREE [(70-322)×10-6]. They are very high in Zr/Hf (15.07-85.96) and Nb/Ta (7.17-21.48), and low in Rb/Sr (2.56-3.36) and Th/U (0.096-3.36). Four samples of the altered granites from the El Sella shear zone are very low in TiO2 (0.23 wt%-0.38 wt%), Sr [(47-933)×10-6], and Ba [(82-175)×10-6] , with high Fe2O3T (1.96 wt%-2.87 wt%), CaO (0.43 wt%-0.6 wt%), alkalis (4.46 wt%-10.7 wt%), Rb [(109-313)×10-6], Zr [(178-1871)×10-6], Nb [(11-404)×10-6], U [(56-182)×10-6], Th [(7-188)×10-6], Ta [(0.5-57)×10-6], Pb [(12-28)×10-6], Zn [(1-13)×10-6], Y [(62-156)×10-6], Hf [(3-124)×10-6], and ∑REE [(101-184)×10-6], especially HREE [(7-139)×10-6]. This is consistent with the very fractionated, fluorine-bearing granitic rocks that were altered and sheared in the El Sella shear zone. Zr/Hf (14.23-39.79) and Nb/Ta (1.98-7.01) are very high, and Rb/Sr (0.14-1.7) and Th/U (0.25-2.5) are low in the Ghadir shear zone. Field evidence, textural relations, and the composi-tion of ore minerals suggest that the main mineralizing event was magmatic (615+/-7 Ma, and 644+/-7 Ma CHIME monazite), especially in the El Sella shear zone, with later hydrothermal alteration and local remobilization of the high-field-strength elements.展开更多
The pegmatite province of the Southeastern Desert (SED) is part of a pegmatite district that extends from Egypt (extends to 1200 km2). Rare metal pegmatites are divided into (1) unzoned, Sn-mineralized; (2) zoned Li, ...The pegmatite province of the Southeastern Desert (SED) is part of a pegmatite district that extends from Egypt (extends to 1200 km2). Rare metal pegmatites are divided into (1) unzoned, Sn-mineralized; (2) zoned Li, Nb, Ta and Be-bearing; and (3) pegmatites and pegmatites containing colored, gem-quality tourmaline. The Rb/Sr data reflect a crustal origin for the rare metal pegmatites and indicate that the original SED magma was generated during the peak of regional metamorphism and predates the intrusion of post-tectonic leucogranites. These bodies developed an early border zone consisting of coarse to very coarse muscovite+quartz+alkali feldspar, followed by an intermediate zone of dominant quartz+feldspar+muscovite rock. Garnet, tourmaline, beryl, galena, pyrite, amblygonite, apatite and monazite are rare accessories in both zones. Cassiterite tends to concentrate in replacement zones and along fractures in albite+quartz+muscovite-rich portions. The highest concentrations of cassiterite occur in irregular greisenized zones which consist dominantly of micaceous aggregates of green Li-rich muscovite, quartz, albite and coarse-grained cassiterite. The different metasomatic post-solidification alterations include sodic and potassic metasomatism, greisenization and tourmalinization. Geochemically, the pegmatite-generating granites have a metaluminous composition, showing a differentiation trend from coarse-grained, unfractionated plagioclase-rich granite towards highly fractionated fine- to medium-grained, local albite-rich rock. Economically important ore minerals introduced by volatile-rich, rare metal-bearing fluids, either primarily or during the breakdown of the primary mineral assemblages, are niobium-tantalum oxides, Sn-oxides (cassiterite), Li-silicates (petalite, spodumene, euctyptite, and pollucite), Li-phosphates (amblygonite, montebrasite and lithopilite) and minor REE-minerals (Hf-zircon, monazite, xenotime, thorian, loparite and yttrio-fluorite). The pollucite is typically associated with spodumene, petalite, amblygonite, quartz and feldspar. The primary pollucite has Si/Al (at) ratios of 2.53-2.65 and CRK of 79.5- 82.2. Thorian loparite is essentially a member of the loparite (NaLREETi2O6)-lueshite (NaNbO3)-ThTi2O6-ThNb4O12 quaternary system with low or negligible contents of other end-member compositions. The mineral compositionally evolved from niobian loparite to niobian thorian and thorian loparite gave rise to ceriobetafite and belyankinite with high ThO2 contents. Thorian loparite is metamict or partly metamict and upon heating regains a structure close to that of synthetic loparite NaLaTi2O6.展开更多
The Gabal Marwa area is located in the southeastern part of Sinai,Egypt.It comprises gneisses and migmatites,granodiorites and monzogranites.Field,petrographic,mineralogic and chemical investigations indicated that th...The Gabal Marwa area is located in the southeastern part of Sinai,Egypt.It comprises gneisses and migmatites,granodiorites and monzogranites.Field,petrographic,mineralogic and chemical investigations indicated that the Gabal Marwa granites are classified as granodiorites and monzogranites.The monzogranites constitute the most predominant rock unit exposed in the study area.They have been subjected to hydrothermal alterations,especially along the shear zones.Sericitization,desilicification,nametasomatism and development of spotty or dendritic manganese oxides are the most pronounced alteration features.These alterations resulted in the increase of TiO2,Al2O3,FeOt,MnO,CaO,MgO,Na2O,K2O and Cr,Zr,Rb,Y and Sr and the decrease of SiO2,P2O5,Ni,Zn,Ba and Nb.Radiometric studies indicated that the altered granites belong to high thorium,high uranium granites.The U,Th,U and Th,Th/U,Th and U-K variation diagrams suggested that magmatic processes controlled the distribution of these elements but the effect of hydrothermal alteration processes were clearly distinct.The Scanning Electron Microscope and X-ray Diffraction analyses indicated that the most important radioactive minerals include uranothorite,thorite,zircon,monazite and samarskite.Cinnabar and Mn minerals were also found.From the U,Th,Ra and K activity concentrations obtained for all the studied granitic samples,radium equivalent activity(Raeq),external hazard index(Hex),and internal hazard index(Hin),were calculated to assess the radiation hazard to human beings living in dwellings made of the studied granites.Altered monzogranites have radioactivity above the proposed acceptable level and,therefore,caution must be taken when these granites are used as building materials.展开更多
Granite-hosted,Nb-,Ta-,Sn-,U-,Th-,and Zr(Hf)-bearing mineralization from the Abu Rusheid shear zones occurs about 97 km southwest of the town of Marsa Alam,South Eastern Desert,Egypt.The SSE-trending brittle-ductile A...Granite-hosted,Nb-,Ta-,Sn-,U-,Th-,and Zr(Hf)-bearing mineralization from the Abu Rusheid shear zones occurs about 97 km southwest of the town of Marsa Alam,South Eastern Desert,Egypt.The SSE-trending brittle-ductile Abu Rusheid shear zones crosscut the peralkalic granitic gneisses and cataclastic to mylonitic rocks(mylonite,protomlyonite,and ultramylonite).The northern shear zone varies in width from 1 to 3 m with a strike length of >500 m,and the southern shear zone is 0.5 to 8 m wide and >1 km long.These shear zones locally host less altered lamprophyre and locally sheared granitic aplite-pegmatite dykes.The rare-metal minerals,identified from the peralkalic granitic gneisses and cataclastic to mylonitic rocks are associated with muscovite,chlorite,quartz,fluorite,pyrite,magnetite,and rare biotite that are restricted to the Abu Rusheid shear zones;these are columbite-tantalite and pyrochlore(var.betafite) in the northern shear zone and ferrocolumbite in the southern shear zone.Cassiterite occurs as inclusions in the columbite-tantalite minerals.U-and Th-minerals(uraninite,thorite,uranothorite,ishikawaite,and cheralite) and Hf-rich zircon coexist.Magmatic(?) zircon contains numerous inclusions of rutile,fluorite,U-Th and REE minerals,such as uranothorite,cheralite,monazite,and xenotime.Compositional variations in Ta/(Ta+Nb) and Mn/(Mn+Fe) in columbite range from 0.07-0.42 and 0.04-0.33,respectively,and Hf contents in zircon from 1.92-6.46 of the two mineralized shear zones reflect the extreme degree of magmatic fractionation.Four samples of peralkalic granitic gneisses and cataclastic to mylonitic rocks from the southern shear zone have very low TiO2(0.02 wt%-0.04 wt%),Sr [(15-20)×10-6],and Ba [(47-78)×10-6],with high Fe2O3T(0.94 wt%-1.99 wt%),CaO(0.14 wt%-1.16 wt%),alkalis(9.2 wt%-10.1 wt%),Rb [(369-805)×10-6],Zr [(1033-2261)×10-6],Nb [(371-913)×10-6],U [(51-108)×10-6],Th [(36-110)×10-6],Ta [(38-108)×10-6],Pb [(39-364)×10-6],Zn [(21-424)×10-6],Y [(8-304)×10-6],Hf [(29-157)×10-6],and ∑REE [(64-304)×10-6],especially HREE [(46-167)×10-6].Three samples from the northern shear zone also have very low TiO2(0.03 wt%),Sr [(11-16)×10-6],and Ba [(38-47)×10-6],with high Fe2O3T(1.97 wt%-2.91 wt%),CaO(0.49 wt%-1.01 wt%),alkalis(7.2 wt%-8.3 wt%),Rb [(932-978)×10-6],Zr [(1707-1953)×10-6],Nb [(853-981)×10-6],Ta [(100-112)×10-6],U [(120-752)×10-6],Th [(121-164)×10-6],Pb [(260-2198)×10-6],Zn [(483-1140)×10-6],Y [(8-304)×10-6],Hf [(67-106)×10-6],and ∑REE [(110-231)×10-6],especially HREE [(91-177)×10-6].The very high Rb/Sr(57.5-88.9),and low Zr/Hf(16.9-25.6),Nb/Ta(7.7-9.8),and Th/U(0.21-1.01) are consistent with very frac-tionated fluorine-bearing granitic rocks that were altered and sheared.The field evidence,textural relations,and compositions of the ore minerals suggest that the main mineralizing event was magmatic(629+/-5 Ma,CHIME monazite),with later hydrothermal alteration and local remobilization of the high-field-strength elements.展开更多
文摘The current study describes the application of a new extraction method for efficient uranium adsorption via cost-effective hydrazine-impregnated activated carbon.Various experimental parameters such as time, adsorbent weight, temperature(°C), and uranium concentration were thoroughly investigated. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized via X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed86% uranium extraction under optimized conditions(20% P2O5 at 25 °C, 120 min). The obtained findings fit well with thermodynamic and isothermal(Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms) models and pseudo second-order kinetics. In thermodynamic studies, the negative sign of(DG°) specified the spontaneity of process, the negative sign of(DH°) revealed endothermicity, and the positive sign of(DS°) showed high randomness after adsorption.
文摘The potentiality of the alkali breakdown of the poly mineralized ore material south Gabal El-A’urf area, central Eastern Desert, Egypt is investigated. It includes the multiple oxide mineral tanteuxenite, monazite, bastnasite, anatase, as well as zircon. This ore material assaying lanthanides (RE2O3 1.9%), niobium (Nb2O5 1.25%) as well as titanium and zirconium (TiO2 and ZrO2 1.23% and 1.12%) respectively besides tantalum (Ta2O5 0.13%), were used for the present work. This sample has thus been subjected to two alkali breakdown techniques using potash;namely agitation leaching and fusion. The latter technique was found to be preferred as it gives higher leaching efficiency. The optimum leaching conditions are weight ratio of the ore/potassium hydroxide 1/2 at 400°C for 1 h. The realized leaching efficiencies attained 95.0% and 93.7% for Nb and Ta respectively as well as 96% for lanthanides and 75% for Ti while that for Zr did not exceed 10%.
文摘Sedimentary rocks have been found to host several Mn minerals in addition to some economic metal values. Besides recoverable Al occurring as gibbsite mineral, the latter include Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, U as well as rare earth elements. In this work, the ore material was subjected to sulfuric acid leaching in the presence of oxalic acid as a reductant to maximize the extraction of Mn. The optimum leaching conditions to achieve almost complete leaching efficiency of Mn with Fe dissolution not exceeding 13% involved 0.5 M sulfuric acid and 0.25 M oxalic acid in a solid/liquid ratio of 1/15 at 85°C for 105 min using an ore size of -150 μm. The leaching behavior of the associated interesting metal values (Al, Cu and Zn) has also been investigated.
文摘Phosphoric acid is a key ingredient in fertilizer production and contains many rare earth elements(REEs).Recovering REEs from phosphoric acid can prevent the accumulation of these elements in the soil and help bridge the gap between supply and demand.In this concern,a new material called Si-6G PAMAMPPAAM dendrimers modified silica gel terminated with phenylphosphonic acid-amide moieties was developed and its ability to adsorb Nd(Ⅲ)and Er(Ⅲ)from the phosphoric acid solution was investigated.K inetics and isotherm of the uptake process were investigated to explo re the so rption characte ristics.The attained results show that both metal ions exhibit the same adsorption performance,and the uptake process is depicted as a chemisorption,monolayer,uniform,and homogeneous process.The equilibrium state is achieved within 120 min,and the maximum uptake capacity is 16.7 mg Nd(Ⅲ)/g,and 14.0 mg Er(Ⅲ)/g.Sorption thermodynamics is an endothermic,spontaneous,and feasible uptake process.Nitric acid(1.0 mol/L)is found to be efficient for adsorbing about 94.3%and 92.5%of neodymium(Ⅲ)and erbium(Ⅲ)respectively,and the prepared Si-6G PAMAM-PPAAM demonstrates excellent stability over five consecutive sorption/desorption cycles.Preliminary tests on commercial phosphoric acid demonstrate that Si-6G PAMAM-PPAAM retains its effective REEs uptake from a complex comm ercial phosph oric acid solution.
文摘Alkaline igneous rocks represent one of the most economically important resources of radioactive minerals and rare metals.New field observations and petrographic studies are integrated with whole-rock geochemical analyses and Gamma ray spectroscopy data of alkaline rocks associated with the Amreit complex.The fieldwork was achieved by the collection of more than forty samples from alkaline granites and alkaline syenites.The youngest rocks cropping out in the study area are the cogenetic alkaline rocks,ranging from alkaline granite to alkaline syenite.These alkaline rocks are composed essentially of K-feldspar,alkali amphiboles(arfvedsonite),and sodic pyroxene,with accessories such as zircon,apatite,and ilmenite.Mineral characterization of the highly radioactive zones in both alkaline granite and alkaline syenite displays enrichment in monazite,thorite,zircon,ferro-columbite,xenotime,and allanite minerals.Geochemical analyses indicate that the Amreit rocks are alkaline with peralkaline affinity and have high concentrations of total alkalis(K_(2)O+Na_(2)O),large ion lithophile elements(LILEs;Ba and Rb),high field strength elements(HFSEs;Y,Zr and Nb),rare earth elements(REEs)and significantly depleted in K,Sr,P,Ti,and Eu,typically of post-collision A-type granites.Typically,the Amreit alkaline igneous rocks are classified as within plate granites and display A2 subtype characteristics.The fractionation of K-feldspars played a distinctive role during the magmatic evolution of these alkaline rocks.The geochemical characteristics indicate that the studied alkaline igneous rocks which were originated by fractional crystallization of alkaline magmas were responsible for the enrichment of the REE and rare metals in the residual melt.The high radioactivity is essentially related to accessory minerals,such as zircon,allanite,and monazite.The alkaline granite is the most U-and Thrich rock,where radioactivity level reaches up to 14.7 ppm(181.55 Bq/kg)e U,40.6 ppm(164.84 Bq/kg)e Th,whereas in alkaline syenite radioactivity level is 8.5 ppm(104.96 Bq/kg)e U,30.2 ppm(122.61 Bq/kg)e Th.These observations suppose that these alkaline rocks may be important targets for REEs and radioactive mineral exploration.
文摘Geological setting,facies characteristics,and geochemistry,including TGA(thermo-gravimetric analysis)of Paleogene deposits in east Beni Suef region(Egypt),were studied in the present work.Lithostratigraphically,the area consists of three rock units,arranged from oldest to youngest:Tarbul Member of Beni Suef Formation(MiddleLate Eocene),Maadi Formation(Late Eocene),and Gebel Ahmar Formation(Oligocene),this last formation registered for the first time in the east of Beni Suef area(Egypt).Seven microfacies types(F1-F7)were determined by the microscopic examination of the studied samples in low-to high-energy and shallow-subtidal marine conditions.The lithostratigraphic,petrological,and geochemical results revealed that the Eocene succession in the present area is composed mainly of carbonates as well as siliciclastics.The Oligocene Gebel Ahmar Formation consists mainly of silica and iron oxides.The enrichment of the rock units with iron oxides in the studied area,as well as the high proportions of trace elements such as Zr,Ba,V,and Sr,in particular in the Gebel Ahmar Formation,reflects the influence of the hydrothermal solutions during the Oligocene.TGA,which monitors weight changes during heating at a constant rate,was used to determine the thermal stability and volatile component content of the materials.The ferruginous sandstone of Gebel Ahmar Formation exhibits various decomposition phases when exposed to thermal inf luences,with TGA indicating an initial mass decrease starting at 61.8℃.In contrast,the ferruginous limestone of the Maadi Formation shows a single-phase mass decrease between 650 and 875℃.
文摘In this article,there were errors in Table 2 and Fig.5a which are corrected as below.In Table 2,the row headed alkali granite is incorrect.It should be alkaline granite.In Fig.5[a]the word alkali feldspar granite is incor-rect,but should be alkaline granite;the Fig.5 should have appeared as shown below.The original article has been corrected.
文摘Rare earth elements(REEs) were extracted from phosphogypsum(PG) using an indirect leaching method that produces CaCO_(3).The carbonation process transforms PG into CaCO_(3),and a potential source of value is the(NH_(4))_(2)SO_(4) fertilizer.The calcium carbonate byproduct is rich in REEs that are originally present in PG.Calcium carbonate,a byproduct of PG carbonation and a rich source of REEs,could dissolve in nitric acid to produce a calcium nitrate leach solution that contains RE nitrate.Subsequently,the most widely used solvent extraction technique can make use of an environmentally benign nitrate ionic liquid.Cyphos IL 101(trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride) is transformed into trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium nitrate([P_(66614)][NO_(3)]) ionic liquid by adding 2.5 mol/L potassium nitrate.The extraction examinations were tested by equilibration of 2 mL of [P_(66614)][NO_(3)] with 2 mL of a synthetic solution of 1000 mg/L of individual La,Ce,and Nd to gain the optimal extraction conditions.The high extraction efficiency of La,Ce,and Nd was gained by stirring a 1/1 aqueous/organic phase ratio and 3 mol/L NH_(4)NO_(3)(as salting out) at 800 r/min for 40 min at 50℃ to decrease the viscosity of [P_(66614)][NO_(3)].The La(Ⅲ),Ce(Ⅲ),and Nd(Ⅲ) stripping efficiencies were examined from their loaded [P_(66614)][NO_(3)] ionic liquid by 1/1 A/O ratio of acidified water,800 r/min stirring speed,and 25℃.After nine cycles,the extraction and stirring efficiency for the La,Ce,and Nd drop to about 80%.The extraction and stripping parameters are applied to the RE leachate from PG to gain the RE oxide with an assay of 92.67%.
文摘Altered granite occurrences (GII and GV) at Gabal (G.) Gattar are the most important mineralized rocks hosting U-mineralization in Egypt. This mineralized granite is affected by multi-stage hydrothermal alteration proc-esses along brittle structures. This alteration comprises pre-ore alkali-metasomatism and ore-stage hydrothermal hematitization, silicification, kaolinitization, fluoritization, carbonatization and episyenitization. Autoradiographic examination indicates that primary uranium mineralization is present as massive or disseminated ores along tectonic fractures, interstitially in granular minerals, and as cements of breccias. Uraninite, pitchblende and coffinite are the main primary minerals, while uranophane and kasolite are the secondary ones. Galena, chalcopyrite, pyrrohtite and pyrite are the most abundant sulphides in association with uranium mineralizations. Hydrothermal alterations at the GII occurrence exhibit an increase in Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mo, Nb, Rb beside HREEs and a decrease in Ba, Co, Sr, and V, while alterations at the GV occurrence show enrichment in Ni, Cu, Pb, Mo, Nb, Y, HREEs and depletion in Zn, Ba, Co, Rb, Sr, and V. Hydrothermal alteration during the late magmatic stage is also identified through the development of unusual REE patterns and fractionation of ratios like Zr/Hf and Y/Ho out of the CHARAC (Charge Radius Con-trolled) range. Non-chondritic Y/Ho ratio at GV is of larger value than chondritic one which may result from wa-ter-rock interaction or print from the encompassing sedimentary rocks. Fluid inclusion studies on quartz and fluorite revealed that temperatures of the mineralizing fluids range between 126 and 240℃ at pressure ≤0.5×108 Pa and give salinity values ranging between 1 wt% and 7.8 wt% NaCl equivalent.
文摘Phosphogypsum(PG), the main by-product of phosphoric acid production industries, is considered one of the most important secondary sources of rare earth elements(REEs). The current study focuses on the recovery of REEs content and the residual phosphate content existing in the PG with preserving on the CaSO_(4)skeleton to be used in other various applications. These attainments are carried out using citric acid leaching process via soaking technique. Several dissolution parameters for REEs using citric acid were studied, including soaking time, soaking temperature, citric acid concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio, and recycling of the citrate leaching solutions in the further REEs dissolution experiments. The best-operating conditions were 14 d of soaking time, 7.5% citric acid concentration, and the solid-toliquid ratio of 1/5 at ambient temperature. About 79.57% dissolution efficiency of REEs was achieved using the optimal conditions. Applying four soaking stages by mixing different fresh PG samples with the same citrate solution sequentially, cumulative dissolution efficiency for REEs was found to be 64.7% under optimal soaking conditions. REEs were recovered using Dowex 50X8 resin from citrate solutions with 96% extraction efficiency. Dissolution kinetics proved the pseudo-first-order nature, reversible reactions, and two activation energies for all REEs.
文摘The dynamic leaching of lanthanides from a west desert phosphate ore, Egypt (Abu Tartur) by hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid solutions was investigated in this study as a function of acid concentration, flow rate and the presence of some additives such as boric acid. Also the kinetics of leaching of lanthanides was investigated as a function of temperature. It was found that the leaching process could be described by a shrinking-core model, with activation energy about 5.9, 13.8 and 21.9 kJ/...
文摘Radioactive minerals in pegmatites associated with granitic rocks are commonly encountered in the south of the Wadi Khuda area and found as dyke-like and small bodies.They are observed within garnet-muscovite granites near the contact with older granitoids.Field surveys indicated that the studied pegmatites vary in dimensions ranging from 2 to 10 m in width and from 10 to 500 m in length.They are composed mainly of intergrowth of milky quartz,reddish-pink K-feldspar and plagioclase together with small pockets of muscovite.Field radiometric measurements indicated that radioactivity in pegmatites is more than twice that of their enclosing country rocks.Radionuclide measurements revealed that the average contents of U and Th increase gradually from rocks of dioritic to granodioritic composition(1.5×10-6 U and 4.3×10-6 Th) and increase significantly in biotite granites(5.8×10-6 U and 15.2×10-6 Th) but drastically decrease in muscovite granites(2.2×10-6 U and 5.6×10-6 Th).The average contents of U and Th of anomalous pegmatites are 95.3×10-6 and 116.9×10-6,respectively,indicating their uraniferous nature.In the south of the Wadi Khuda area,pegmatites are low in average Th/U(1.4) and high in average U/K(35.6),which suggests that uranium concentrating processes did not affect the pegmatites,indicating poor source-rocks.Mineralogical investigations of the studied pegmatites revealed the presence of secondary uranium minerals(kasolite and autunite),in addition to zircon,thorite,apatite,garnet and biotite.Primary and secondary radioactive mineralizations indicated that the mineralization is not only magmatic,but also post-magmatic.Electron microprobe analyses showed distinct cryptic chemical zoning within thorite where UO2 decreases from core to rim.This feature in thorite is sporadic,suggesting non-uniform redistributions of UO2 within thorite during magmatic processes.
文摘Tributyl phosphate （TBP） solvent was used for impregnation into Amberlite XAD-16 nonionic polymeric resin beads using the wet method to prepare solvent impregnated resin （SIR）. Undiluted TBP in a ratio to the resin support （volume to mass） of 6.0 at room temperature （RT） in 24 h was impregnated the resin with a mass ratio of 1.944, while the prepared gross sample of SIR at the ratio of solvent to resin of 3.0 was impregnated with a mass ratio of 1.88. Cerium（Ⅳ） oxide concentrate, prepared from crude Egyptian monazite sand, containing 37% cerium, 1.6% thorium and about 40% the other trivalent rare earth oxides, was used to prepare cerium（Ⅳ） nitrate solution for extraction using the prepared SIR. The impregnated resin was satisfactory for Ce（Ⅳ） extraction from nitric acid medium at room temperature. Cerium loading capacity of the impregnated resin reached 95.6% of the calculated theoretical capacity （173 g/kg （Ce/SIR）） under the conditions of 51.57 g/L cerium and 2.48 g/L thorium, 5.0 mol/L free nitric acid, solution to resin ratio of 10.0 and contacting the phases for 5.0 min. The loading capacity reached 98.75% when cerium concentration was increased to 91.43 g/L under the same conditions.
文摘The G. Abu Garadi area is covered mainly by metasediments, alkali feldspar granites and stream sediments. The alkali feldspar granite is traversed by a major strike-slip fault trending in an N-S direction as well as two subordinate sets of faults trending NW to WNW for the first one and NE for the second one. These faults represent the shear zones affected by magmatic (syngenetic) as well as hydrothermal (epigenetic) activities causing alteration of the granitic rocks. The most common alteration features are albitization, greisenization and koalinitization. The mass balance calculations of the studied altered samples show enrichments in Zr, Y, Ni, U, Th and Ga and depletions in Zn, Sr, Nb, Ba, Pb, Cu and V. Only the greisenized samples exhibit a significant enrichment in Nb, ∑REE budget and pronounced lanthanide tetrad effect (M-type), especially TE1,4, while weakly expressed tetrad effects are for the other albitized and koalinitized samples. Mineralogically, the common accessory minerals in the altered samples include samarskite-(Y), betafite, uranothorite, zircon, fluorite and cassiterite. The greisenized granites contain high eU and eTh than the other altered types, where they are characterized by an assemblage of the radioactive minerals; samarskite-(Y), betafite, uranothorite in addition to zircon. The inter-element relationships between U and Th and also their ratios illustrate that the radioelement distribution in these granites is mainly governed by magmatic processes, in addition to post-magmatic ones. The distribution of chemical elements and the fractionation of some isovalents within the shear zone are largely controlled by the newly formed mineral phases. With respect to uranium mobilization, uranium migrated from the host alkali feldspar granites of G. Abu Garadi, while the shear zones acted as traps for the migrated uranium. Moreover, U migrated in the shear zone during greisenization and albitization, and migrated out during koalinitization.
文摘Two brecciated shear zones (NNW-SSE) are found crosscutting cataclastic rocks. The cataclastic rocks (3.0 km2) occupy the core of the granitic pluton and enclose a roof pendant of mafic-ultramafic rocks. The NNW-SSE-extending lamprophyre dykes vary in thickness from 0.5 m to 1 m and up to 800 m long, cutting the cataclastic rocks and are composed mainly of plagioclases, amphiboles, relics of pyroxenes and K-feldspar phenocrysts embedded in fine-grained groundmass. They are characterized as being peraluminous, calc-alkaline in composition (chemical trap) and enriched in calcite, sulfide and P2O5. The lamprophyres were affected by hydrothermal alteration (chlorite-carbonate alteration) while the cataclastic rocks were affected by diagenetic alteration (K-feldspar-albite alteration). Uranium mineralization is the product of hydrothermal events and has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), involving primary uranium minerals (U3O8) and secondary uranium minerals (uranophane and beta-uranophane, kasolite, torbernite, autonite and meta-autonite) in addition to U- bearing minerals (astrocyanite, betafite and fergusonite). The presence of different mineral parageneses associated with clay minerals indicates that the lamprophyres were subjected to acidic and alkaline mineralizing solutions. Moreover, the U-Zr/U, U-Ce/U values show negative correlations, confirming U-enrichment in both cataclastic rocks and shear zones while the Th-eU/eTh, Th-Zr/Th and Th-Ce/Th values show negative correlations, indicating that the U-bearing solutions are rich in Th in the cataclastic rocks only.
文摘The present paper recorded the occurrence of laterites-bearing REEs in Natash area.Natash laterite deposits occur as horizons(5-15 m in thickness) at the boundary between the Cretaceous sandstones,and Natash flows.Laterite was recorded in more than twenty six occurrence distributed over an area of about 500 km2 along and around Wadi Natash.It ranges in color from light-grey,dark-grey to reddish-brown.The distribution of laterite deposits is structural controlled.Mineralogical results of laterites proved the...
基金supported by a NSERC Discovery grant to Prof. Dr. David Lentz at Geological Department,University of New Brunswick (UNB),Fredericton,New Brunswick,Canada
文摘The rare metal minerals of mineralized altered granites within the Ghadir and El-Sella shear zones, are represented by betafite, U-minerals (uraninite and uranophane), zircon, monazite, xenotime, and rutile in the Ghadir shear zone. While they are columbite-tantalite minerals as ferrocolumbite, pyrochlore, and fergusonite, Th-minerals (cheralite, uranothorite, and huttonite monazite), Hf-zircon, monazite and xenotime in the El-Sella shear zone. Hf-zircon in the El-Sella and Ghadir shear zones (increasing from the core to the rim) contains high inclusions of U-Th, and REE minerals such as cheralite, uranothorite, huttonite monazite and xenotime especially in the El Sella shear zone. The rare-metal minerals, identified from peralkminous granites of the shear zones are associated with muscovite, quartz, chlorite, fluorite, magnetite, and biotite that are restricted to the two shear zones. Uraninite (low Th content) occurring in the Ghadir shear zone indicates the hydrothermal origin, but there are thorite, uranothorite, cheralite, and Hf-zircon in the El Sella shear zone, also indicating the hyrothermal proccess after magmatic origin. Compositional variations of Ta/(Ta+Nb) and Mn/(Mn+Fe) in columbite from 0.07-0.42 and 0.04-0.33, respectively, and Hf contents in zircon are so high as to be 12%, especially in the rim in the El Sella shear zone. This feature re-flects the extreme degree of magmatic fractionation. Four samples from the altered granites of the Ghadir shear zone also are very low in TiO2 (0.04 wt%-0.17 wt%), Sr [(82-121)×10-6], and Ba [(36-380)×10-6], but high in Fe2O3T (0.46 wt%-0.68 wt%), CaO (0.64 wt%-1.23 wt%), alkalis (8.59 wt%-8.88 wt%), Rb [(11-203)×10-6], Zr [(98-121)×10-6], Nb [(9-276)×10-6], Ta [(2-139)×10-6], U [(14-63)×10-6], Th [(16-105)×10-6], Pb [(13-32)×10-6], Zn [(7-8)×10-6], Y [(15-138)×10-6], Hf [(3-9)×10-6], and ∑REE [(81-395)×10-6, especially LREE [(70-322)×10-6]. They are very high in Zr/Hf (15.07-85.96) and Nb/Ta (7.17-21.48), and low in Rb/Sr (2.56-3.36) and Th/U (0.096-3.36). Four samples of the altered granites from the El Sella shear zone are very low in TiO2 (0.23 wt%-0.38 wt%), Sr [(47-933)×10-6], and Ba [(82-175)×10-6] , with high Fe2O3T (1.96 wt%-2.87 wt%), CaO (0.43 wt%-0.6 wt%), alkalis (4.46 wt%-10.7 wt%), Rb [(109-313)×10-6], Zr [(178-1871)×10-6], Nb [(11-404)×10-6], U [(56-182)×10-6], Th [(7-188)×10-6], Ta [(0.5-57)×10-6], Pb [(12-28)×10-6], Zn [(1-13)×10-6], Y [(62-156)×10-6], Hf [(3-124)×10-6], and ∑REE [(101-184)×10-6], especially HREE [(7-139)×10-6]. This is consistent with the very fractionated, fluorine-bearing granitic rocks that were altered and sheared in the El Sella shear zone. Zr/Hf (14.23-39.79) and Nb/Ta (1.98-7.01) are very high, and Rb/Sr (0.14-1.7) and Th/U (0.25-2.5) are low in the Ghadir shear zone. Field evidence, textural relations, and the composi-tion of ore minerals suggest that the main mineralizing event was magmatic (615+/-7 Ma, and 644+/-7 Ma CHIME monazite), especially in the El Sella shear zone, with later hydrothermal alteration and local remobilization of the high-field-strength elements.
文摘The pegmatite province of the Southeastern Desert (SED) is part of a pegmatite district that extends from Egypt (extends to 1200 km2). Rare metal pegmatites are divided into (1) unzoned, Sn-mineralized; (2) zoned Li, Nb, Ta and Be-bearing; and (3) pegmatites and pegmatites containing colored, gem-quality tourmaline. The Rb/Sr data reflect a crustal origin for the rare metal pegmatites and indicate that the original SED magma was generated during the peak of regional metamorphism and predates the intrusion of post-tectonic leucogranites. These bodies developed an early border zone consisting of coarse to very coarse muscovite+quartz+alkali feldspar, followed by an intermediate zone of dominant quartz+feldspar+muscovite rock. Garnet, tourmaline, beryl, galena, pyrite, amblygonite, apatite and monazite are rare accessories in both zones. Cassiterite tends to concentrate in replacement zones and along fractures in albite+quartz+muscovite-rich portions. The highest concentrations of cassiterite occur in irregular greisenized zones which consist dominantly of micaceous aggregates of green Li-rich muscovite, quartz, albite and coarse-grained cassiterite. The different metasomatic post-solidification alterations include sodic and potassic metasomatism, greisenization and tourmalinization. Geochemically, the pegmatite-generating granites have a metaluminous composition, showing a differentiation trend from coarse-grained, unfractionated plagioclase-rich granite towards highly fractionated fine- to medium-grained, local albite-rich rock. Economically important ore minerals introduced by volatile-rich, rare metal-bearing fluids, either primarily or during the breakdown of the primary mineral assemblages, are niobium-tantalum oxides, Sn-oxides (cassiterite), Li-silicates (petalite, spodumene, euctyptite, and pollucite), Li-phosphates (amblygonite, montebrasite and lithopilite) and minor REE-minerals (Hf-zircon, monazite, xenotime, thorian, loparite and yttrio-fluorite). The pollucite is typically associated with spodumene, petalite, amblygonite, quartz and feldspar. The primary pollucite has Si/Al (at) ratios of 2.53-2.65 and CRK of 79.5- 82.2. Thorian loparite is essentially a member of the loparite (NaLREETi2O6)-lueshite (NaNbO3)-ThTi2O6-ThNb4O12 quaternary system with low or negligible contents of other end-member compositions. The mineral compositionally evolved from niobian loparite to niobian thorian and thorian loparite gave rise to ceriobetafite and belyankinite with high ThO2 contents. Thorian loparite is metamict or partly metamict and upon heating regains a structure close to that of synthetic loparite NaLaTi2O6.
文摘The Gabal Marwa area is located in the southeastern part of Sinai,Egypt.It comprises gneisses and migmatites,granodiorites and monzogranites.Field,petrographic,mineralogic and chemical investigations indicated that the Gabal Marwa granites are classified as granodiorites and monzogranites.The monzogranites constitute the most predominant rock unit exposed in the study area.They have been subjected to hydrothermal alterations,especially along the shear zones.Sericitization,desilicification,nametasomatism and development of spotty or dendritic manganese oxides are the most pronounced alteration features.These alterations resulted in the increase of TiO2,Al2O3,FeOt,MnO,CaO,MgO,Na2O,K2O and Cr,Zr,Rb,Y and Sr and the decrease of SiO2,P2O5,Ni,Zn,Ba and Nb.Radiometric studies indicated that the altered granites belong to high thorium,high uranium granites.The U,Th,U and Th,Th/U,Th and U-K variation diagrams suggested that magmatic processes controlled the distribution of these elements but the effect of hydrothermal alteration processes were clearly distinct.The Scanning Electron Microscope and X-ray Diffraction analyses indicated that the most important radioactive minerals include uranothorite,thorite,zircon,monazite and samarskite.Cinnabar and Mn minerals were also found.From the U,Th,Ra and K activity concentrations obtained for all the studied granitic samples,radium equivalent activity(Raeq),external hazard index(Hex),and internal hazard index(Hin),were calculated to assess the radiation hazard to human beings living in dwellings made of the studied granites.Altered monzogranites have radioactivity above the proposed acceptable level and,therefore,caution must be taken when these granites are used as building materials.
基金supported by a NSERC Discovery granted to Prof. Dr. David Lentz at Geological Department, University of New Brunswick (UNB),Fredericton,New Brunswick,Canada
文摘Granite-hosted,Nb-,Ta-,Sn-,U-,Th-,and Zr(Hf)-bearing mineralization from the Abu Rusheid shear zones occurs about 97 km southwest of the town of Marsa Alam,South Eastern Desert,Egypt.The SSE-trending brittle-ductile Abu Rusheid shear zones crosscut the peralkalic granitic gneisses and cataclastic to mylonitic rocks(mylonite,protomlyonite,and ultramylonite).The northern shear zone varies in width from 1 to 3 m with a strike length of >500 m,and the southern shear zone is 0.5 to 8 m wide and >1 km long.These shear zones locally host less altered lamprophyre and locally sheared granitic aplite-pegmatite dykes.The rare-metal minerals,identified from the peralkalic granitic gneisses and cataclastic to mylonitic rocks are associated with muscovite,chlorite,quartz,fluorite,pyrite,magnetite,and rare biotite that are restricted to the Abu Rusheid shear zones;these are columbite-tantalite and pyrochlore(var.betafite) in the northern shear zone and ferrocolumbite in the southern shear zone.Cassiterite occurs as inclusions in the columbite-tantalite minerals.U-and Th-minerals(uraninite,thorite,uranothorite,ishikawaite,and cheralite) and Hf-rich zircon coexist.Magmatic(?) zircon contains numerous inclusions of rutile,fluorite,U-Th and REE minerals,such as uranothorite,cheralite,monazite,and xenotime.Compositional variations in Ta/(Ta+Nb) and Mn/(Mn+Fe) in columbite range from 0.07-0.42 and 0.04-0.33,respectively,and Hf contents in zircon from 1.92-6.46 of the two mineralized shear zones reflect the extreme degree of magmatic fractionation.Four samples of peralkalic granitic gneisses and cataclastic to mylonitic rocks from the southern shear zone have very low TiO2(0.02 wt%-0.04 wt%),Sr [(15-20)×10-6],and Ba [(47-78)×10-6],with high Fe2O3T(0.94 wt%-1.99 wt%),CaO(0.14 wt%-1.16 wt%),alkalis(9.2 wt%-10.1 wt%),Rb [(369-805)×10-6],Zr [(1033-2261)×10-6],Nb [(371-913)×10-6],U [(51-108)×10-6],Th [(36-110)×10-6],Ta [(38-108)×10-6],Pb [(39-364)×10-6],Zn [(21-424)×10-6],Y [(8-304)×10-6],Hf [(29-157)×10-6],and ∑REE [(64-304)×10-6],especially HREE [(46-167)×10-6].Three samples from the northern shear zone also have very low TiO2(0.03 wt%),Sr [(11-16)×10-6],and Ba [(38-47)×10-6],with high Fe2O3T(1.97 wt%-2.91 wt%),CaO(0.49 wt%-1.01 wt%),alkalis(7.2 wt%-8.3 wt%),Rb [(932-978)×10-6],Zr [(1707-1953)×10-6],Nb [(853-981)×10-6],Ta [(100-112)×10-6],U [(120-752)×10-6],Th [(121-164)×10-6],Pb [(260-2198)×10-6],Zn [(483-1140)×10-6],Y [(8-304)×10-6],Hf [(67-106)×10-6],and ∑REE [(110-231)×10-6],especially HREE [(91-177)×10-6].The very high Rb/Sr(57.5-88.9),and low Zr/Hf(16.9-25.6),Nb/Ta(7.7-9.8),and Th/U(0.21-1.01) are consistent with very frac-tionated fluorine-bearing granitic rocks that were altered and sheared.The field evidence,textural relations,and compositions of the ore minerals suggest that the main mineralizing event was magmatic(629+/-5 Ma,CHIME monazite),with later hydrothermal alteration and local remobilization of the high-field-strength elements.
