What is the typical range of Pb in untreated (!) common natural zeolite minerals occurring in volcanic environments? Feldspars are known to incorporate some 10s ppm Pb in their extraframework space, but I am not aware of such trace element analyses for zeolites (except 'true' Pb-zeolite).
Many studies deal with the uptake of lead and other heavy metals in zeolites related to engineering processes, but what is their initial natural background value?
Hi - we have just been deveoping methods for compositional characterisations of natural zeolites, including a wide range of trace elements. Full papers are coming soon...
Dear Mr. Spürgin,
we investigated pumice and tuffaceous material for aggregates and zeolites.
In parts of the cross section enriched in faujasite, phillipsite and minor contents of calcite we found less than 4 ppm Pb. The majority of bulk analyses of pyroclastic rocks showed values of less than 3 ppm Pb. This is for your orientation. We did not focus on the single grain analysis. The base metals Cu and Zn are more widespread in zeolititized tuffs than in Pb.
Best regards
Harald G. Dill
Hi there, you could take a look at this...
Best regards,
Piergiulio
Article May the use of Italian volcanic zeolite-rich tuffs as additi...
Dear coleagues, thanks for your remarks.
Piergiulio - your paper is one of those I had in mind when asking my question. The Pb contents you found in the zeolitic bulk-rock are high (up to 100 mg/kg, far more than in Mr. Dills samples), and you drew some very interesting figures showing some relationship between Pb content and mineralogy. Especially feldspar and chabazite are good candidates when I remember correctly. Unfortunately my question is related to the mineral chemistry - have you performed Pb analyses on the mineral grains, too?
Linda - I'm looking forward to read your publication(s). Do you have any preliminary data (conference abstract etc.) on that topic?
Simon
Hi Simon, I have attached a report from many years ago that includes trace element concentrations on whole rock samples of natural zeolite bearing tuff. These are from the only currently active zeolite mine in Australia.
Best regards,
Steven Cooper
Dear Steven, thanks for your interesting report. There aren't many contributions on natural zeolites of Australia, related to the size of the country.
The bulk-rock data, again, give some impression about Pb. But I'm still looking for some mineral-chemical (and structural) investigations dealing with amount and state of lead in natural zeolites.
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