Hydro-chemical processes significantly alter the original composition of metamict minerals. In the work presented here, an attempt was made to reconstruct the chemical composition of betafite in the earlier stages of its geological history. The time scale is determined by the leaching rate of the isotope 238U, a process that takes its course in line with first-order kinetics, or something close to it. The leaching rate constant of this uranium isotope was assessed. Based on available data in the literature, the hydro-chemical behavior of various atoms in group A of betafite was analyzed. The chemical composition of the mineral was calculated taking into account the total charge of the cations that the betafite had at the time it was formed, or possibly the last time it was completely reformed as a result of diverse endogenic processes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)549-562
Number of pages14
JournalPhysics and Chemistry of Minerals
Volume45
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2018

    Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Materials Science(all)

    Research areas

  • Calculations of mineral formula, Chemical shift of X-ray Lα - line, Chemical weathering, Half-leaching time, Leaching kinetic, Metamict minerals, Redox-state of uranium

ID: 28273638