Barium melilite – bennesherite, Ba2Fe2+Si2O7, known only from pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Complex in Israel, has been recognised in a carbonate–silicate xenolith from the Bellerberg volcano area in Germany. The empirical formula of the German specimen is as follows: (Ba1.32Ca0.43Sr0.23Na0.05K0.02)Σ2.05(Fe2+0.79Ti0.06Mg0.05Al0.04Mn0.03Zn0.01)Σ0.98Si1.97O7. The Raman spectrum of bennesherite exhibits the presence of the main vibrations related to Fe2+O4 tetrahedra and disilicate Si2O7 groups at the T1 and T2 sites, at 589 cm–1 and in the range 618–673 cm–1, respectively. Detailed spectroscopic analyses performed for bennesherite in two different and random orientations confirm the reduction of bands intensity and the number of some components in several spectral ranges. Moreover, the presence of a heavy Ba atom indicates a decrease in band frequencies compared to melilites with Ca at the X position. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment, despite attempts, could not be carried out due to the poor quality and small size of the bennesherite crystals however, a combination of composition and Raman data allowed for accurate phase identification. Detailed mineralogical investigations distinguished rare Ba minerals in association with bennesherite, such as walstromite, fresnoite and celsian, along with various ferrous melilites. Some of the detected phases are described from xenoliths of the Bellerberg volcano for the first time. The uniqueness of the Bellerberg volcano mineralisation is reflected in the interaction of alkaline magma with xenoliths of different compositions, which suggests that this locality still deserves attention as a source of new and unique minerals.

Calciolangbeinite, ideally K2Ca2(SO4)3, exists in two modifications, cubic and, first described in the present paper, orthorhombic. They are topologically-similar polymorphs which can be designated as calciolangbeinite-C and calciolangbeinite-O. Calciolangbeinite-O is the first natural orthorhombic langbeinite-like sulfate. It clearly differs from calciolangbeinite-C in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern, optical data and Raman spectrum. Calciolangbeinite-O is found in sublimates of the active Arsenatnaya fumarole at the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Far Eastern Region, Russia and in pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Complex at Jabel Harmun, Judean Desert, Palestinian Autonomy and Har Parsa, Negev Desert, both in Israel. Calciolangbeinite-C is known only in fumarole sublimates at Tolbachik. Calciolangbeinite forms a continuous solid-solution system with langbeinite K2Mg2(SO4)3. The majority of the system is represented by cubic phases, and only members with compositions K2(Ca2.0–1.9Mg0.0–0.1)(SO4)3 have orthorhombic symmetry under room-temperature conditions. The crystal structure of calciolangbeinite-O was studied on a single crystal, chemically very close to K2Ca2(SO4)3, from Tolbachik (R1 = 2.75%). The unit-cell parameters are: a = 10.3330(2), b = 10.5027(2), c = 10.1763(2) Å, V = 1104.37(4) Å3 and Z = 4; space group is P212121. Calciolangbeinite-O is a low-temperature modification of K2Ca2(SO4)3 belonging to the K2Cd2(SO4)3 structure type whereas calciolangbeinite-C (space group P213), a high-temperature modification, has the langbeinite-type structure. The significant Mg admixture in calciolangbeinite-C from Tolbachik probably stabilises its cubic structure at room temperature. In both high-temperature fumaroles and pyrometamorphic rocks calciolangbeinite crystallises in the cubic modification, and during cooling its chemical variety close to the end-member K2Ca2(SO4)3 undergoes phase transition to calciolangbeinite-O, whereas the Mg-enriched varieties of the mineral remain calciolangbeinite-C.

The impact of human activities on biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial environments is nowhere more apparent than in urban landscapes. Trace metals, collected on roadways and transported by storm water, may contaminate soils and sediments associated with storm water management systems. These systems will accumulate metals and associated sediments may reach toxic levels for terrestrial and aquatic organisms using the retention basins as habitat. The fate and bioavailability of these metals once deposited is poorly understood. Here we present results from a dose-response experiment that examines the application of synchrotron X-ray fluorescence methods (μ-SXRF) to test the hypothesis that earthworms will bio-accumulate Zn in a roadway-dust contaminated soil system providing a potential pathway for roadway contaminants into the terrestrial food web, and that the storage and distribution of Zn will change with the level of exposure reflecting the micronutrient status of Zn.

Lumbricus friendi was exposed to Zn-bearing roadway dust amended to a field soil at six target concentrations ranging from background levels (45 mg/kg Zn) to highly contaminated levels (460 mg/ kg Zn) designed to replicate the observed concentration range in storm-water retention basin soils. After a 30 day exposure, Zn storage in the intestine is positively correlated with dose and there is a change in the pattern of Zn storage within the intestine. This relationship is only clear when μ-SXRF Zn map data is coupled with a traditional toxicological approach, and suggests that the gut concentration in L. friendi is a better indicator of Zn bioaccumulation and storage than the total body burden.

Kalungaite, PdAsSe, is a new mineral discovered in the Buraco do Ouro gold mine, Cavalcante town, Goiás State, Brazil. It occurs in a quartz-muscovite mylonite, related to a peraluminous granite, in platy anhedral aggregates along foliation planes. Associated ore minerals are gold, chalcopyrite, bohdanowiczite, an unnamed Pb-Bi-Se-S mineral, clausthalite, guanajuatite, stibiopalladinite, sperrylite and padmaite. Gangue minerals are muscovite, quartz and rare tourmaline and magnetite. Kalungaite is lead-grey, has a metallic lustre, a black streak and is brittle with uneven fracture. No cleavage was observed. The mineral has a micro-indentation hardness of VHN25 = 438 (range of 429–455 kg/mm2 from five indentations). Under reflected light, kalungaite is cream, or creamy grey adjacent to gold grains, has no internal reflections and is isotropic. Reflectance values in air (and in oil) are: 47.5 (33.3) at 470 nm, 46.9 (32.6) at 546 nm, 46.8 (32.6) at 589 nm and 48.0 (34.0) at 650 nm. The average of eight electron-microprobe analyses gives: Pd 41.32, As 27.49, Bi 0.35, Sb 1.59, Se 27.67 and S 1.22, total 99.64 wt. %, corresponding to Pd1.006(As0.950Sb0.034Bi0.004)Σ0.988(Se0.908S0.099)Σ1.007Kalungaite is cubic, space group Pa, a = 6.089(4) Å, V = 225.78 Å3, Z = 4. Dcalc is 7.59 g/cm3. The strongest seven X-ray powder-diffraction lines [d in Å(I)(hkl )] are: 3.027(75)(002), 1.838(100)(113), 1.172(95)(115, 333), 1.077(80)(044, 144, 334), 0.988(70)(116, 235, 253), 0.929(90)(335) and 0.918(70)(226). Kalungaite is interpreted as having formed from hydrothermal fluids of granitic origin, during syn-emplacement shearing and alteration, producing an unusual gold-platinum-group element deposit.

A suite of orthopyroxenes from spinel Iherzolite xenoliths associated with basanites occurring in the Victorian (Australia) post-Pliocene ‘Newer Volcanics’ province was investigated by means of a crystal chemical methodology which provides accurate site occupancy and site configuration parameters.

The M1 configuration is essentially constrained by AlVI rather than Fe2+. In addition, Fe3+, Cr3+ and Ti4+ are confined to M1 (Molin, 1989) and AlIV to TB. M2 is controlled by FeM22+ ⇌ MgM2, constrained by (Fe2+ + Ca)M2 > 0.14 atoms per formula unit (p.f.u.). Cation substitution in TB and M2 constrains the sum of the volumes of the respective polyhedra VTB+VM2 to remain essentially constant. Therefore, M2 favours the retention of the large Fe2+ up to melting-point, causing non-ideality of this iron-depleted orthopyroxene. As a consequence, the investigated orthopyroxene can be considered an ultimate Fe2+ carrier during partial mantle melting.

Metamorphosed troctolite cumulates occur interbedded with Mg-rich metagabbros in the Monviso ophiolitic massif; they have developed chloritoid, omphacite, talc and garnet during the eclogitic stage of the Eo-alpine metamorphism. The lack of penetrative deformation in the rocks has made it possible to recognize different microstructural sites of chloritoid growth, in which the chloritoid composition may vary widely and is controlled by the specific inherited chemical domain.

The chloritoid compositions are unusually rich in Cr and Mg with large variations in Fe2+/Mg and Cr/AlVI ratio. The Cr/Al ratio in chloritoid is linked to both the Cr value of the primary minerals (i.e. Cr-rich spinels, Cr-end-members in the clinopyroxenes) and a limited redistribution of Cr during metamorphism. The Fe2+/Mg ratio, while being partly affected by bulk composition of the host rocks, also varies between different microstructural sites; the highest ratio is recorded in coronas between clinopyroxene and plagioclase, lower values occurring in coronas between plagioclase and olivine.

A second occurrence of ferri-fluoro-leakeite has been identified in the Bratthagen nepheline syenite pegmatite (Vestfold County, Norway). With respect to the holotype found at the Verkhnee Espe deposit (Akjailyautas Mountains, Kazakhstan; Cámara et al., 2010), it is closer to the ideal composition because of its larger Li and Mg contents and the absence of an oxo-component; however, it has a significant Zn content (0.29 a.p.f.u.). The ideal formula of ferri-fluoro-leakeite is ANaBNa2 C(Mg2Fe2 3+Li)TSi8O22WF2 and the empirical formula derived from electron-microprobe analysis and single-crystal structure refinement for the sample used here is A(Na0.68K0.32)S=1.00BNa2.00 C(Mg1.69Mn0.25 2+Fe0.24 2+Zn0.29Al0.23Fe1.50 3+Ti0.02Li0.78)S=5.00TSi8O22W(F1.59(OH)0.41)S=2.00. Unitcell data are a = 9.788(2), b = 17.826(3), c = 5.282(1) Å, β = 104.195(5)°, V = 893.5 (3) Å3, Z = 2. Crystal-chemical analysis shows that Li is ordered at the M(3) site and Zn is ordered mainly at the M(2) site, confirming previous findings for Li-bearing amphiboles. The new data also make quantification of the oxo component in Na amphiboles possible.

The crystal structure of buttgenbachite from Likasi (Congo) was solved by a three- dimensional Patterson function, computed using intensity data collected photographically by the Weissenberg method, and refined by successive Fourier maps and least-squares refinement to an R index 0·055 for 328 independent observed reflections. The cell content resulting from the structural analysis is Cu36·6Cl6·7(NO3)2·6(OH)63·9.2·1 H2O. The space group is P63/mmc with a = 15·750 Å and c = 9·161Å. The buttgenbachite structure is not completely ordered. It consists of a rigid three-dimensional skeleton formed by Cu co-ordination polyhedra sharing edges and corners. The large channels in the framework show a zeolite-like nature; inside the channels the disorder is caused by the different orientations of nitrate groups and by the occurrence of the substitution . The crystal structure of buttgenbachite is closely related to that of connellite. The mechanism of forming an isomorphous series is discussed: the present study shows that the replacement is more complicated than was supposed in the literature.

The new mineral species carducciite, (AgSb)Pb6(As,Sb)8S20, has been discovered in the baryte-pyrite- (Pb-Ag-Zn) deposit of the Pollone mine, near Valdicastello Carducci, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy. It occurs as black metallic prismatic crystals, up to 0.5 mm long, associated with pyrite and sterryite. Its Vickers hardness (VHN10) is 61 kg/mm2 (range: 52–66), corresponding to a Mohs hardness of ~2½–3. In reflected light, carducciite is dark grey in colour, moderately bireflectant; internal reflections are very weak and deep red in colour. Reflectance percentages for the four COM wavelengths [Rmin, Rmax (%) (λ)] are: 35.8, 40.8 (471.1 nm), 33.7, 39.0 (548.3 nm), 32.7, 37.6 (586.6 nm) and 30.4, 35.1 (652.3 nm). Electron microprobe analysis gives (wt.% – mean of six analyses): Ag 3.55(12), Tl 0.13(3), Pb 41.90(42), Sb 17.79(19), As 12.41(14), S 22.10(17), total 97.9(6). On the basis of ΣMe = 16 a.p.f.u., the chemical formula is Ag0.96Tl0.02Pb5.91As4.84Sb4.27S20.14. The main diffraction lines, corresponding to multiple hkl indices, are (relative visual intensity): 3.689 (s), 3.416 (s), 3.125 (s), 2.989 (s), 2.894 (s), 2.753 (vs), 2.250 (s). The crystal-structure study gives a monoclinic unit cell, space group P21/c, with a 8.4909(3), b 8.0227(3), c 25.3957(9) Å, β 100.382(2)°, V 1701.63(11) Å3, Z = 2. The crystal structure has been solved and refined to a final R1 = 0.063 on the basis of 4137 observed reflections. It can be described within the framework of the sartorite homologous series, as formed by chemically twinned layers of the dufrénoysite type. The simplified idealized structural formula, based on 20 sulfur atoms, can ideally be written as (AgSb)Pb6(As,Sb)Σ=8S20. Carducciite is an (Ag,Sb)-rich homeotype of dufrénoysite, stabilized by the complete coupled substitution 2 Pb2+ = Ag+ + Sb3+ on a specific site of the crystal structure. Together with barikaite, it belongs to the rathite sub-group of P21/c homeotypes of dufrénoysite, of which the crystal chemistry is discussed. The distribution of Ag, coupled with As or Sb on specific sites, appears to be the main criterion for the distinction between the three species of this sub-group.

Cu K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra have been obtained for two very dilute solutions of copper in hydrosulfide solutions using beamline ID26 at the ESRF. The concentrations of the solutions (4.4 ppm {69 µM} pH 9.5, 1.2 ppm {19 µM} pH 7.4) are such that the experiments illustrate that, with the advent of third generation synchrotron sources, natural systems can now be studied by EXAFS. Analysis of the data indicates an average environment for the copper of 2.3 S atoms at 2.22 Å in the pH 9.5 solution of 2.5 S atoms at 2.23 Å in the pH 7.4 solution. These results are in accord with the solubility study of Mountain and Seward (1999), who conclude that Cu(HS)2− and Cu2(HS)2S2− are the principal copper species in such solutions.

Kitagohaite, ideally Pt7Cu, is a new mineral from the Lubero region of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The mineral occurs as alluvial grains that were recovered together with other Pt-rich intermetallic compounds and Au. Kitagohaite is opaque, greyish white and malleable and has a metallic lustre and a grey streak. In reflected light, kitagohaite is white and isotropic. The crystal structure of kitagohaite is cubic, space group Fmm, of the Ca7Ge type, with a = 7.7891(3) Å, V = 472.57(5) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest diffraction lines [d in Å(I)(hkl)] are: 2.246 (100)(222), 1.948(8)(004), 1.377 (77)(044), 1.174(27)(622), 1.123 (31)(444) and 0.893 (13)(662). The Vickers hardness is 217 kg mm−2 (VHN100), which is equivalent to a Mohs hardness of 3½ and the calculated density is 19.958(2) g cm−3. Electron-microprobe analyses gave a mean value (n = 13) of 95.49 wt.% Pt and 4.78 wt.%Cu, which corresponds to Pt6.93Cu1.07 on the basis of eight atoms. The new mineral is named for the Kitagoha river, in the Lubero region.

Ejecta associated with the Xalapasco de la Joya maar 33 km northeast of San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico, contain a diverse assemblage of nodules of postulated lower-crust/upper-mantle origin. Spinel lherzolites constitute the most abundant group of nodules and display chemical evidence that crystallization or equilibration took place at temperatures and pressures consistent with upper mantle genesis. Estimated equilibration temperatures and pressures range from 825 to 1025 °C and 7 to 19 kb.

The form and thickness of the ferrihydrite coating on kaolinite basal surfaces was studied in mixes containing 1–10% ferrihydrite through a combination of TEM, shadowed replicas, selected area electron diffraction, and determinations of surface area and distribution of charge on the surfaces. At pH3 the ferrihydrite was found to attach initially as single particles to certain sites on the kaolinite. These particles grew laterally and vertically until with 4% ferrihydrite they were aggregates of from 8 to 25 layers of particles. With more ferrihydrite the aggregates coalesced. Despite the irregular cover on the kaolinite satisfactory electron diffraction patterns were obtained and as little as 2% ferrihydrite was detected in a mixture at pH3.

Manganiferous garnets occur in metamorphosed Mn silicate-oxide and silicate-carbonate-oxide rocks of the Sausar Group, India. The garnets of the carbonatic rock show maximum calderite content (∼50 mole%). Increased Ca content in the bulk has been observed to be sympathetically related to the concentration of calderite, rather than the expected andradite component of the garnets. This is the consequence of the preferential partitioning of Ca in coexisting pyroxmangite and/or carbonate. Petrochemical characteristics of the diverse assemblages in response to the physical conditions of metamorphism show that the calderite solubility in manganiferous garnet is not only a function of pressure. Such characteristics only indicate that the mobile components in the bulk influenced the mineralogy of the assemblages at the ambient physical conditions of metamorphism, and this in turn controlled the calderite solubility in garnet.

Pale-blue cordierite (complete analysis given; shows total iron oxides only 0·98 %) occurs in phlogopite schist near White Well (24° 28′ 30″ S. 116° 2′ E.) 20 miles north-west of Yinnietharra, Western Australia. Associated minerals are corundum, dravite, and sillimanite, accessory zircon and rutile. The cordierite is in translucent masses to 8 ×8×4 cm with vitreous lustre, D 2·57, α 1.536, β 1·540, γ 1·543, all colourless, 2Vα80° Unit cell a 17·055, b 9·724, c 9·350 Å. The host phlogopite (complete analysis given) is in brown flakes to 1 cm, D 2·88, α 1·558, β 1·585, γ 1·59, 2Vα 5–20° 1 M polymorph.

Tolstykhite, ideally Au3S4Te6, is a new mineral from the Gaching ore occurrence of the Maletoyvayam deposit, Kamchatka peninsula, Russia. It occurs as individual anhedral grains up to 0.05 mm or as intergrowths with native Se, native Te and tripuhyite. Other associated minerals include calaverite, fischesserite, Cu–Te-rich ‘fahlores' [stibiogoldfieldite, ‘arsenogoldfieldite', tennantite-(Cu), tetrahedrite-(Zn)], galena, gold, maletoyvayamite, minerals of famatinite–luzonite series, pyrite, baryte, ilmenite, magnetite, quartz and V-bearing rutile. Tolstykhite is bluish-grey, opaque with metallic lustre and grey streak. It is brittle and has an uneven fracture. Cleavage is good on {010} and {001}. Dcalc = 7.347 g/cm3. In reflected light, tolstykhite is grey with a bluish shade. No bireflectance, pleochroism and internal reflections are observed. In crossed polars, it is weakly anisotropic with bluish to brownish rotation tints. The reflectance values for wavelengths recommended by the Commission on Ore Mineralogy of the International Mineralogical Association are (Rmin/Rmax, %): 32.6/34.3 (470 nm), 32.4/34.1 (546 nm), 32.6/34.5 (589 nm) and 33.0/35.0 (650 nm). The Raman spectrum of tolstykhite contains the main bands at 297, 203, 181, 151 and 127 cm–1. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 13 atoms per formula unit is (Au2.98Ag0.01)Σ2.99(S3.59Se0.41)Σ4.00Te6.01. Tolstykhite is triclinic, space group P$\bar{1}$, a = 8.977(5), b = 9.023(2), c = 9.342(6) Å, α = 94.03(3), β = 110.03(3), γ = 104.27(4)°, V = 679.0(3) Å3 and Z = 2. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are: 8.59 (18) (010); 2.90 (100) (0$\bar{1}$3); 2.23 (13) (13$\bar{3}$); 1.89 (21) (13$\bar{4}$). Tolstykhite is the S-analogue of maletoyvayamite, Au3Se4Te6. The structural identity between them is confirmed by powder XRD and Raman spectroscopy. The mineral honours Russian mineralogist Dr. Nadezhda Dmitrievna Tolstykh for her contributions to the mineralogy of gold and platinum-group elements and the study of ore deposits.

About twelve miles south-east of Burghersdorp in the Cape Province, South Africa, the unusual clay reported in this paper was first discovered on the farms 'Groenvlei' and 'Kuilfontein'. Later deposits were also uncovered on the farms 'Kapokkraal' and 'Kleinhoek'.

The clay-mineral appears to be of a very unusual type, namely, a regular mixed-layer clay-mineral (1:1 hydrous mica and montmorillonite). The mode of origin of the clay is also of interest in that it appears to be produced from a shale by hydrothermal alteration, due to intrusion of dolerite sheets.

Among the specimens collected at the Benallt manganese mine in 1944 by Dr. A. W. Groves and myself was one (B.M. 1944,48) from the 60-foot level in no. 1 ore-body which showed on a face of dark, compact manganese ore colourless plates up to 7 mm. across and about ½ mm. thick. These plates proved to be uniaxial and negative with perfect basal cleavage. Heated in an ignition tube the fragments decrepirated, gave off water, and became pearly, white, and opaque. Qualitative tests showed Ba, Al, and SiO2 to be present. Preliminary X-ray photographs revealed hexagonal symmetry, but could not be matched with those of any known mineral.

Pisolitic ironstones occur at various localities in North Wales, at about the horizon of Nemagraptus gracilis. The rocks have undergone considerable folding and the hard ironstones are often faulted and in many cases deformed. Greenstone dikes frequently intersect the beds, usually with little visible alteration of the ore, though the ironstones are generally hardened, with incipient re-crystallization of the chamosite. At Pen-y-rallt iron mine, situated half a mile east of Llanfrothen church near Penrhyndreudraeth in Merionethshire, a steeply inclined pisolitic ironstone bed rests upon a mass of igneous rock; and here the alteration of the ore is in a more advanced stage, for the ironstone is in places seamed with roughly parallel asbestiform veins (up to 1 inch) which contain a brittle dark-brown mineral strongly resembling biotite ; the centre of the vein is sometimes filled with chalybite.