@article{BrinkmannKoellnerMerketal.2023, author = {Brinkmann, Pia and K{\"o}llner, Nicole and Merk, Sven and Beitz, Toralf and Altenberger, Uwe and L{\"o}hmannsr{\"o}ben, Hans-Gerd}, title = {Comparison of handheld and echelle spectrometer to assess copper in ores by means of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)}, series = {Minerals}, volume = {13}, journal = {Minerals}, number = {1}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2075-163X}, doi = {10.3390/min13010113}, pages = {19}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Its properties make copper one of the world's most important functional metals. Numerous megatrends are increasing the demand for copper. This requires the prospection and exploration of new deposits, as well as the monitoring of copper quality in the various production steps. A promising technique to perform these tasks is Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Its unique feature, among others, is the ability to measure on site without sample collection and preparation. In this work, copper-bearing minerals from two different deposits are studied. The first set of field samples come from a volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit, the second part from a stratiform sedimentary copper (SSC) deposit. Different approaches are used to analyze the data. First, univariate regression (UVR) is used. However, due to the strong influence of matrix effects, this is not suitable for the quantitative analysis of copper grades. Second, the multivariate method of partial least squares regression (PLSR) is used, which is more suitable for quantification. In addition, the effects of the surrounding matrices on the LIBS data are characterized by principal component analysis (PCA), alternative regression methods to PLSR are tested and the PLSR calibration is validated using field samples.}, language = {en} } @article{RibackiTrumbullLopezDeLuchietal.2022, author = {Ribacki, Enrico and Trumbull, Robert B. and Lopez De Luchi, Monica Graciela and Altenberger, Uwe}, title = {The chemical and B-Isotope composition of Tourmaline from intra-granitic Pegmatites in the Las Chacras-Potrerillos Batholith, Argentina}, series = {The Canadian mineralogist : journal of the Mineralogical Association of Canada}, volume = {60}, journal = {The Canadian mineralogist : journal of the Mineralogical Association of Canada}, number = {1}, publisher = {Association of Canada}, address = {Ottawa}, issn = {0008-4476}, doi = {10.3749/canmin.2100036}, pages = {49 -- 66}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The Devonian Las Chacras-Potrerillos batholith comprises six nested monzonitic to granitic intrusions with metaluminous to weakly peraluminous composition and a Sr-Nd isotopic signature indicating a dominantly juvenile mantle-derived source. The chemically most evolved units in the southern batholith contain a large number of intra-granitic, pod-shaped tourmaline-bearing pegmatites. This study uses in situ chemical and boron isotopic analyses of tourmaline from nine of these pegmatites to discuss their relationship to the respective host intrusions and the implications of their B-isotope composition for the source and evolution of the magmas. The tourmalines reveal a diversity in element composition (e.g., FeO, MgO, TiO2, CaO, MnO, F) which distinguishes individual pegmatites from one another. However, all have a narrow 5 11 B range of -13.7 to -10.5\%0 (n = 100) which indicates a relatively uniform magmatic system and similar temperature conditions during tourmaline crystallization. The average delta(11) B value of -11.7\%0 is typical for S-type granites and is within the range reported for peraluminous granites. pegmatites, and metamorphic units of the Ordovician basement into which the Las Chacras-Potrerillos batholith intruded. The B-isotope evidence argues for a crustal boron source like that of the Ordovician basement, in contrast to the metaluminous to weakly peraluminous composition and juvenile initial Sr and Nd isotope ratios of the Las Chacras-Potrerillos batholith magmas. We propose that the boron was not derived from the magma source region but was incorporated from dehydration melting of elastic metasedimentary rocks higher up in the crustal column.}, language = {en} } @article{DaempflingMielkeKoellneretal.2022, author = {D{\"a}mpfling, Helge L. C. and Mielke, Christian and Koellner, Nicole and Lorenz, Melanie and Rogass, Christian and Altenberger, Uwe and Harlov, Daniel E. and Knoper, Michael}, title = {Automatic element and mineral detection in thin sections using hyperspectral transmittance imaging microscopy (HyperTIM)}, series = {European journal of mineralogy}, volume = {34}, journal = {European journal of mineralogy}, number = {3}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {0935-1221}, doi = {10.5194/ejm-34-275-2022}, pages = {275 -- 284}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In this study we present a novel method for the automatic detection of minerals and elements using hyperspectral transmittance imaging microscopy measurements of complete thin sections (HyperTIM). This is accomplished by using a hyperspectral camera system that operates in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) range with a specifically designed sample holder, scanning setup, and a microscope lens. We utilize this method on a monazite ore thin section from Steenkampskraal (South Africa), which we analyzed for the rare earth element (REE)-bearing mineral monazite ((Ce,Nd,La)PO4), with high concentrations of Nd. The transmittance analyses with the hyperspectral VNIR camera can be used to identify REE minerals and Nd in thin sections. We propose a three-point band depth index, the Nd feature depth index (NdFD), and its related product the Nd band depth index (NdBDI), which enables automatic mineral detection and classification for the Nd-bearing monazites in thin sections. In combination with the average concentration of the relative Nd content, it permits a destruction-free, total concentration calculation for Nd across the entire thin section.}, language = {en} } @article{RethfeldtBrinkmannRiebeetal.2021, author = {Rethfeldt, Nina and Brinkmann, Pia and Riebe, Daniel and Beitz, Toralf and K{\"o}llner, Nicole and Altenberger, Uwe and L{\"o}hmannsr{\"o}ben, Hans-Gerd}, title = {Detection of Rare Earth Elements in Minerals and Soils by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) Using Interval PLS}, series = {Minerals}, volume = {11}, journal = {Minerals}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel, Schweiz}, issn = {2075-163X}, doi = {10.3390/min11121379}, pages = {1 -- 17}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The numerous applications of rare earth elements (REE) has lead to a growing global demand and to the search for new REE deposits. One promising technique for exploration of these deposits is laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Among a number of advantages of the technique is the possibility to perform on-site measurements without sample preparation. Since the exploration of a deposit is based on the analysis of various geological compartments of the surrounding area, REE-bearing rock and soil samples were analyzed in this work. The field samples are from three European REE deposits in Sweden and Norway. The focus is on the REE cerium, lanthanum, neodymium and yttrium. Two different approaches of data analysis were used for the evaluation. The first approach is univariate regression (UVR). While this approach was successful for the analysis of synthetic REE samples, the quantitative analysis of field samples from different sites was influenced by matrix effects. Principal component analysis (PCA) can be used to determine the origin of the samples from the three deposits. The second approach is based on multivariate regression methods, in particular interval PLS (iPLS) regression. In comparison to UVR, this method is better suited for the determination of REE contents in heterogeneous field samples. View Full-Text}, language = {en} } @article{KoertingKoellnerKurasetal.2021, author = {K{\"o}rting, Friederike Magdalena and K{\"o}llner, Nicole and Kuras, Agnieszka and B{\"o}sche, Nina Kristin and Rogass, Christian and Mielke, Christian and Elger, Kirsten and Altenberger, Uwe}, title = {A solar optical hyperspectral library of rare-earth-bearing minerals, rare-earth oxide powders, copper-bearing minerals and Apliki mine surface samples}, series = {Earth system science data : ESSD}, volume = {13}, journal = {Earth system science data : ESSD}, publisher = {Copernics Publications}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, issn = {1866-3508}, doi = {10.5194/essd-13-923-2021}, pages = {923 -- 942}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Mineral resource exploration and mining is an essential part of today's high-tech industry. Elements such as rare-earth elements (REEs) and copper are, therefore, in high demand. Modern exploration techniques from multiple platforms (e.g., spaceborne and airborne), to detect and map the spectral characteristics of the materials of interest, require spectral libraries as an essential reference. They include field and laboratory spectral information in combination with geochemical analyses for validation. Here, we present a collection of REE- and copper-related hyperspectral spectra with associated geochemical information. The libraries contain reflectance spectra from rare-earth element oxides, REE-bearing minerals, copper-bearing minerals and mine surface samples from the Apliki copper-gold-pyrite mine in the Republic of Cyprus. The samples were measured with the HySpex imaging spectrometers in the visible and near infrared (VNIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) range (400-2500 nm). The geochemical validation of each sample is provided with the reflectance spectra. The spectral libraries are openly available to assist future mineral mapping campaigns and laboratory spectroscopic analyses. The spectral libraries and corresponding geochemistry are published via GFZ Data Services with the following DOIs: https://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.1.4.2019.004 (13 REE-bearing minerals and 16 oxide powders, Koerting et al., 2019a), https://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.1.4.2019.003 (20 copper-bearing minerals, Koellner et al., 2019), and https://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.1.4.2019.005 (37 copper-bearing surface material samples from the Apliki coppergold-pyrite mine in Cyprus, Koerting et al., 2019b). All spectral libraries are united and comparable by the internally consistent method of hyperspectral data acquisition in the laboratory.}, language = {en} } @article{TerbishalievaTimmermanMikolaichuketal.2021, author = {Terbishalieva, Baiansuluu and Timmerman, Martin Jan and Mikolaichuk, Alexander and Altenberger, Uwe and Slama, Jiri and Schleicher, Anja Maria and Sudo, Masafumi and Sobel, Edward and Cichy, Sarah Bettina}, title = {Calc-alkaline volcanic rocks and zircon ages of the late Tonian}, series = {International journal of earth sciences}, volume = {110}, journal = {International journal of earth sciences}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {1437-3254}, doi = {10.1007/s00531-020-01956-z}, pages = {353 -- 375}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The Big Naryn Complex (BNC) in the East Djetim-Too Range of the Kyrgyz Middle Tianshan block is a tectonized, at least 2 km thick sequence of predominantly felsic to intermediate volcanic rocks intruded by porphyric rhyolite sills. It overlies a basement of metamorphic rocks and is overlain by late Neoproterozoic Djetim-Too Formation sediments; these also occur as tectonic intercalations in the BNC. The up to ca. 1100 m thick Lower Member is composed of predominantly rhyolites-to-dacites and minor basalts, while the at least 900 m thick pyroclastic Upper Member is dominated by rhyolitic-to-dacitic ignimbrites. Porphyric rhyolite sills are concentrated at the top of the Lower Member. A Lower Member rhyolite and a sill sample have LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon crystallization ages of 726.1 +/- 2.2 Ma and 720.3 +/- 6.5 Ma, respectively, showing that most of the magmatism occurred within a short time span in the late Tonian-early Cryogenian. Inherited zircons in the sill sample have Neoarchean (2.63, 2.64 Ga), Paleo- (2.33-1.81 Ga), Meso- (1.55 Ga), and Neoproterozoic (ca. 815 Ma) ages, and were derived from a heterogeneous Kuilyu Complex basement. A 1751 +/- 7 Ma Ar-40/Ar-39 age for amphibole from metagabbro is the age of cooling subsequent to Paleoproterozoic metamorphism of the Kuilyu Complex. The large amount of pyroclastic rocks, and their major and trace element compositions, the presence of Neoarchean to Neoproterozoic inherited zircons and a depositional basement of metamorphic rocks point to formation of the BNC in a continental magmatic arc setting.}, language = {en} } @article{AltenbergerCisternaGuenteretal.2021, author = {Altenberger, Uwe and Cisterna, Clara and G{\"u}nter, Christina and Guti{\´e}rrez, Adolfo Antonio and Rosales, J.}, title = {Tectono-metamorphic evolution of the proto-Andean margin of Gondwana}, series = {Journal of South American earth sciences}, volume = {110}, journal = {Journal of South American earth sciences}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0895-9811}, doi = {10.1016/j.jsames.2021.103305}, pages = {23}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The present work gives a detailed analysis of the metamorphic and structural evolution of the back-arc portion of the Famatinian Orogen exposed in the southern Sierra de Aconquija (Cuesta de La Chilca segment) in the Sierras Pampeanas Orientales (Eastern Pampean Sierras). The Pampeanas Orientales include from north to south the Aconquija, Ambato and Ancasti mountains. They are mainly composed of middle to high grade metasedimentary units and magmatic rocks. At the south end of the Sierra de Aconquija, along an east to west segment extending over nearly 10 km (Cuesta de La Chilca), large volumes of metasedimentary rocks crop out. The eastern metasediments were defined as members of the El Portezuelo Metamorphic-Igneous Complex (EPMIC) or Eastern block and the western ones relate to the Quebrada del Molle Metamorphic Complex (QMMC) or Western block. The two blocks are divided by the La Chilca Shear Zone, which is reactivated as the Rio Chanarito fault. The EPMIC, forming the hanging wall, is composed of schists, gneisses and rare amphibolites, calc- silicate schists, marbles and migmatites. The rocks underwent multiple episodes of deformation and a late high strain-rate episode with gradually increasing mylonitization to the west. Metamorphism progrades from a M-1 phase to the peak M-3, characterized by the reactions: Qtz + Pl + Bt +/- Ms -> Grt + Bt(2) + Pl(2) +/- Sil +/- Kfs, Qtz + Bt + Sil -> Crd + Kfs and Qtz + Grt + Sil -> Crd. The M-3 assemblage is coeval with the dominant foliation related to a third deformational phase (D-3). The QMMC, forming the foot wall, is made up of fine-grained banded quartz - biotite schists with quartz veins and quartz-feldspar-rich pegmatites. To the east, schists are also overprinted by mylonitization. The M-3 peak assemblage is quartz + biotite + plagioclase +/- garnet +/- sillimanite +/- muscovite +/- ilmenite +/- magnetite +/- apatite. The studied segment suffered multiphase deformation and metamorphism. Some of these phases can be correlated between both blocks. D-1 is locally preserved in scarce outcrops in the EPMIC but is the dominant in the QMMC, where S-1 is nearly parallel to S-0. In the EPMIC, D-2 is represented by the S-2 foliation, related to the F-2 folding that overprints S-1, with dominant strike NNW - SSE and high angles dip to the E. D-3 in the EPMIC have F-3 folds with axis oblique to S-2; the S-3 foliation has striking NW - SE dipping steeply to the E or W and develops interference patterns. In the QMMC, S-2 (D-2) is a discontinuous cleavage oblique to S-1 and transposed by S-3 (D-3), subparallel to S-1. Such structures in the QMMC developed at subsolidus conditions and could be correlated to those of the EPMIC, which formed under higher P-T conditions. The penetrative deformation D-2 in the EPMIC occurred during a prograde path with syntectonic growth of garnet reaching P-T conditions of 640 degrees C and 0.54 GPa in the EPMIC. This stage was followed by a penetrative deformation D-3 with syn-kinematic growth of garnet, cordierite and plagioclase. Peak P-T conditions calculated for M-3 are 710 degrees C and 0.60 GPa, preserved in the western part of the EPMIC, west of the unnamed fault. The schists from the QMMC suffered the early low grade M-1 metamorphism with minimum PT conditions of ca 400 degrees C and 0.35 GPa, comparable to the fine schists (M-1) outcropping to the east. The D-2 deformation is associated with the prograde M-2 metamorphism. The penetrative D-3 stage is related to a medium grade metamorphism M-3, with peak conditions at ca 590 degrees C and 0.55 GPa. The superimposed stages of deformation and metamorphism reaching high P-T conditions followed by isothermal decompression, defining a clockwise orogenic P-T path. During the Lower Paleozoic, folds were superimposed and recrystallization as well as partial melting at peak conditions occurred. Similar characteristics were described from the basement from other Famatinian-dominated locations of the Sierra de Aconquija and other ranges of the Sierras Pampeanas Orientales.}, language = {en} } @article{BsdokAltenbergerConchaPerdomoetal.2020, author = {Bsdok, Barbara and Altenberger, Uwe and Concha-Perdomo, Ana Elena and Wilke, Franziska Daniela Helena and Gil-Rodriguez, J. G.}, title = {The Santa Rosa de Viterbo meteorite, Colombia}, series = {Journal of South American earth sciences}, volume = {104}, journal = {Journal of South American earth sciences}, publisher = {Elsevier Science}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0895-9811}, doi = {10.1016/j.jsames.2020.102779}, pages = {8}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Undifferentiated meteorites, like primitive chondrites, can contain presolar and solar nebula materials which would provide information about the origin and initial conditions of the solar system, whereas differentiated meteorites like iron meteorites, can show early phases of planetary accretion. They also provide the possibility to receive information about core properties and planetary bodies. In addition to the gain in such fundamental scientific knowledge both types are of interest for the exploration of critical raw materials (CRMs) and precious elements. The Santa Rosa de Viterbo meteorite shower, discovered 1810 in the Boyaca province of Colombia, represents a typical iron-nickel meteorite. The present study presents new structural, textural and geochemical results of one fragment of this meteorite, using reflecting microscopy, electron probe micro analyses (EPMA) and electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The present study presents trace element concentrations of the meteorite's minerals for the first time. The sample is dominated by kamacite (alpha-FeNi). Schreibersite (FeNi3P), taenite (gamma-FeNi) and plessite (mixture of kamacite and taenite) are minor constituents. The occurrence of cohenite ((Fe,Ni,Co)(3)C) and troilite (FeS) are likely. The meteorite sample contains classical Neuman bands passing through kamacite and frequent Widmanstadtten pattern. The bandwidth of kamacite defines the meteorite as finest octahedrite. Geochemically, it is characterized as a "Type IC meteorite". While improving the characterization and classification of the Santa Rosa de Viterbo Iron Meteorite, notable concentrations of Au (>400 ppm) and Ge (>230 ppm) alongside major elements such as Fe, Ni and Co in the bulk composition of that meteorite, were proven. Major and rock-forming minerals such as kamacite and taenite incorporate hundreds of ppm of Ge whereas schreibersite, itself a minor component in that particular meteorite, is the major source for Au (>1400 ppm). In kamacite and taenite also Ir, Pd and Ga were found in minor amounts. Nano-scale inclusions or atomic clusters called nano-nuggets may have been responsible for the high concentrations of Au, Ir, Pd and Ga. Raman and Laser-induced plasma spectroscopes installed in in space probes seems suitable exploration methods for Fe-Ni meteorites, containing Ni-concentrations > 5.8 wt\% defining the meteorite as octaedrites.}, language = {en} } @article{ZozulyaKullerudRibackietal.2020, author = {Zozulya, Dmitry R. and Kullerud, Kare and Ribacki, Enrico and Altenberger, Uwe and Sudo, Masafumi and Savchenko, Yevgeny E.}, title = {The newly discovered neoproterozoic aillikite occurrence in Vinoren (Southern Norway)}, series = {Minerals}, volume = {10}, journal = {Minerals}, number = {11}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2075-163X}, doi = {10.3390/min10111029}, pages = {26}, year = {2020}, abstract = {During the period 750-600 Ma ago, prior to the final break-up of the supercontinent Rodinia, the crust of both the North American Craton and Baltica was intruded by significant amounts of rift-related magmas originating from the mantle. In the Proterozoic crust of Southern Norway, the 580 Ma old Fen carbonatite-ultramafic complex is a representative of this type of rocks. In this paper, we report the occurrence of an ultramafic lamprophyre dyke which possibly is linked to the Fen complex, although Ar-40/Ar-39 data from phenocrystic phlogopite from the dyke gave an age of 686 +/- 9 Ma. The lamprophyre dyke was recently discovered in one of the Kongsberg silver mines at Vinoren, Norway. Whole rock geochemistry, geochronological and mineralogical data from the ultramafic lamprophyre dyke are presented aiming to elucidate its origin and possible geodynamic setting. From the whole-rock composition of the Vinoren dyke, the rock could be recognized as transitional between carbonatite and kimberlite-II (orangeite). From its diagnostic mineralogy, the rock is classified as aillikite. The compositions and xenocrystic nature of several of the major and accessory minerals from the Vinoren aillikite are characteristic for diamondiferous rocks (kimberlites/lamproites/UML): Phlogopite with kinoshitalite-rich rims, chromite-spinel-ulvospinel series, Mg- and Mn-rich ilmenites, rutile and lucasite-(Ce). We suggest that the aillikite melt formed during partial melting of a MARID (mica-amphibole-rutile-ilmenite-diopside)-like source under CO2 fluxing. The pre-rifting geodynamic setting of the Vinoren aillikite before the Rodinia supercontinent breakup suggests a relatively thick SCLM (Subcontinental Lithospheric Mantle) during this stage and might indicate a diamond-bearing source for the parental melt. This is in contrast to the about 100 Ma younger Fen complex, which were derived from a thin SCLM.}, language = {en} } @article{LorenzAltenbergerTrumbulletal.2019, author = {Lorenz, Melanie and Altenberger, Uwe and Trumbull, Robert B. and Lira, Raul and Lopez de Luchi, Monica Graciela and G{\"u}nter, Christina and Eidner, Sascha}, title = {Chemical and textural relations of britholite- and apatite-group minerals from hydrothermal REE mineralization at the Rodeo de los Molles deposit, Central Argentina}, series = {American mineralogist : an international journal of earth and planetary materials}, volume = {104}, journal = {American mineralogist : an international journal of earth and planetary materials}, number = {12}, publisher = {Mineralogical Society of America}, address = {Chantilly}, issn = {0003-004X}, doi = {10.2138/am-2019-6969}, pages = {1840 -- 1850}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Britholite group minerals (REE,Ca)(5)[(Si,P)O-4](3)(OH,F) are widespread rare-earth minerals in alkaline rocks and their associated metasomatic zones, where they usually are minor accessory phases. An exception is the REE deposit Rodeo de los Molles, Central Argentina, where fluorbritholite-(Ce) (FBri) is the main carrier of REE and is closely intergrown with fluorapatite (FAp). These minerals reach an abundance of locally up to 75 modal\% (FBri) and 20 modal\% (FAp) in the vein mineralizations. The Rodeo de los Molles deposit is hosted by a fenitized monzogranite of the Middle Devonian Las Chacras-Potrerillos batholith. The REE mineralization consists of fluorbritholite-(Ce), britholite-(Ce), fluorapatite, allanite-(Ce), and REE fluorcarbonates, and is associated with hydrothermal fluorite, quartz, albite, zircon, and titanite. The REE assemblage takes two forms: irregular patchy shaped REE-rich composites and discrete cross-cutting veins. The irregular composites are more common, but here fluorbritholite-(Ce) is mostly replaced by REE carbonates. The vein mineralization has more abundant and better-preserved britholite phases. The majority of britholite grains at Rodeo de los Molles are hydrothermally altered, and alteration is strongly enhanced by metamictization, which is indicated by darkening of the mineral, loss of birefringence, porosity, and volume changes leading to polygonal cracks in and around altered grains. A detailed electron microprobe study of apatite-britholite minerals from Rodeo de los Molles revealed compositional variations in fluorapatite and fluorbritholite-(Ce) consistent with the coupled substitution of REE3+ + Si4+ = Ca2+ + P5+ and a compositional gap of similar to 4 apfu between the two phases, which we interpret as a miscibility gap. Micrometer-scale intergrowths of fluorapatite in fluorbritholite-(Ce) minerals and vice versa are chemically characterized here for the first time and interpreted as exsolution textures that formed during cooling below the proposed solvus.}, language = {en} }