This paper presents the first specific study of the Th-and U-bearing minerals, which were recently found in the SE Mediterranean margin of Spain (El Hoyazo area,Almeria province). These minerals are REE phosphates (ma...This paper presents the first specific study of the Th-and U-bearing minerals, which were recently found in the SE Mediterranean margin of Spain (El Hoyazo area,Almeria province). These minerals are REE phosphates (mainly monazite) which occur as amoeboidal-to-elongate inclusions,from around 10 120μm to 120μm, hosted in single garnet crystals from dacite lavas and metamorphic rocks from the El Hoyazo Volcanic Complex. Th and U contents are higher than 1 wt%, with 3.04 to 5.62wt% for Th02, and 0.7 to 1.75 wt% for UO2. Both elements are also found in xenotime (ThO2:0.24,UO2:0.27wt%). Given that the erosion of the volcanic source rocks has generated a “placer-type” deposit of monazite sands and that garnets (main carriers of monazite) are being commercialised, an environmental monitoring and management plan should be urgently executed in the area.展开更多
文摘This paper presents the first specific study of the Th-and U-bearing minerals, which were recently found in the SE Mediterranean margin of Spain (El Hoyazo area,Almeria province). These minerals are REE phosphates (mainly monazite) which occur as amoeboidal-to-elongate inclusions,from around 10 120μm to 120μm, hosted in single garnet crystals from dacite lavas and metamorphic rocks from the El Hoyazo Volcanic Complex. Th and U contents are higher than 1 wt%, with 3.04 to 5.62wt% for Th02, and 0.7 to 1.75 wt% for UO2. Both elements are also found in xenotime (ThO2:0.24,UO2:0.27wt%). Given that the erosion of the volcanic source rocks has generated a “placer-type” deposit of monazite sands and that garnets (main carriers of monazite) are being commercialised, an environmental monitoring and management plan should be urgently executed in the area.
