Alpha-decay-induced condensation of phosphate anions in a mineral

B. C. Chakoumakos, B. C. Sales, L. A. Boatner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Griphite is a U-Th-bearing phosphate mineral with the unusual property that structural alterations due to the radioactive decay of U and Th are preserved over geologic time periods. Results of differential scanning calorimetry show that the recrystallization temperature required for the annealing of displacive damage in griphite is relatively high, and, therefore such damage can accumulate unchecked with time. Linked phosphate groups (i.e., chains of PO4 tetrahedra) have been detected in metamict, amorphous U-Th bearing griphite by means of a chromatographic technique. The occurrence of such linked phosphate units in mineralogical systems is unusual, since the P-O-P bond is relatively easy to hydrolyze. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1447-1450
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Mineralogist
Volume75
Issue number11-12
StatePublished - 1990

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