Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Monazite is a primarily reddish-brown phosphate mineral that contains rare-earth elements. Due to variability in composition, monazite is considered a group of minerals. [3] The most common species of the group is monazite-(Ce), that is, the cerium-dominant member of the group. [4] It occurs usually in small isolated crystals.
It is the cerium-dominant analogue of monazite-(La), monazite-(Nd), and monazite-(Sm). It is also the phosphorus analogue of gasparite-(Ce). [3] The group contains simple rare earth phosphate minerals with the general formula of AXO 4, where A = Ce, La, Nd, or Sm (or, rarely, Bi
Monazite has characteristics of high closure temperature (>1000 °C), variable composition, and robustness under a large temperature range, which help in the record of geological history in metamorphic rocks. [32] An electron microprobe is usually used for the measurement of monazite composition. [33]
Monazite is a waxy mineral that is formed through the crystallization of igneous rocks and the metamorphism of clastic sedimentary rocks. [25] This mineral is typically mined in placer deposits, with gold commonly found as a byproduct. [25] The rare earth element neodymium is found in monazite, making it a rare mineral. [25]
The principal sources of rare-earth elements are the minerals bastnäsite (RCO 3 F, where R is a mixture of rare-earth elements), monazite (XPO 4, where X is a mixture of rare-earth elements and sometimes thorium), and loparite ((Ce,Na,Ca)(Ti,Nb)O 3), and the lateritic ion-adsorption clays.
This variety of monazite is typically colored bright rose-red. It is the neodymium analogue of monazite-(Ce) , monazite-(La) , and monazite-(Sm) . [ 4 ] The group contains simple rare earth phosphate minerals with the general formula of A T O 4 , where A = Ce, La, Nd, or Sm (or, rarely, Bi), and B = P or, rarely, As.
The mineral assemblage formed by metamorphism depends on the composition of the parent rock and more importantly, the stability of different minerals at varying temperature and pressure (P-T). A set of mineral assemblages that form under similar temperature and pressure is called a metamorphic facies .
Differences in chemical composition and crystal structure distinguish the various species. Within a mineral species there may be variation in physical properties or minor amounts of impurities that are recognized by mineralogists or wider society as a mineral variety. Mineral variety names are listed after the valid minerals for each letter.