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Geology topics

M. M. Schnepfe

Publications and source records attributed to M. M. Schnepfe.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Semimicrodetermination of tantalum with selenous acid

Tantalum is separated and determined gravimetrically by precipitation with selenous acid from a highly acidic solution containing oxalic and tartaric acids. The method is selective for the determination of up to 30 mg. of tantalum pentoxide, and tolerates relatively large amounts of scandium, yttrium, cerium, titanium, zirconium, thorium, vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, uranium, iron, aluminum, gallium, tin, lead, antimony, and bismuth. The separation of tantalum from niobium and titanium is not strictly quantitative, and correction is made colorimetrically for the small amounts of niobium and titanium co-precipitating with the tantalum. The method was applied to the determination of tantalum in tantaloniobate ores.

Analytical Chemistry

Sulfur diagenesis in Everglades peat and origin of pyrite in coal

The pattern of sulfur transformation in peat across the Everglades basin indicates that pyrite formation in organic-rich swamps depends on the use of organic oxysulfur compounds in dissimilatory respiration by sulfur-reducing bacteria. This paragenesis explains the primary distribution of sulfur compounds in low-sulfur coals and possibly in most coals and many organic-rich soils and sediments. It also accounts for the occurrence of framboidal pyrite bound in fossil tissue in coal and sediments.

Florida

The selenium content of U.S.G.S. standard rocks

Selenium was determined in duplicate portions from three bottles of six U.S.G.S. standard rocks by a spect rofluorimetric procedure. The following averages, as p.p.m. Se, were obtained: PCC-1, 0.031; GSP-1, 0.088; BCR-1, 0.12; SCo-1, 0.91; MAG-1, 1.3; and SGR-1, 3.7. One-way analysis of variance of the several sets of data showed no significant differences in the selenium content among bottles of any specific rock; these samples may be accepted as homogeneous for their selenium contents by this analytical method.

Chemical Geology

Determination of iridium in mafic rocks by atomic absorption

Iridium is determined in mineralized mafic rocks by atomic absorption after fire-assay concentration into a gold bead. Interelement interferences in the atomic-absorption determination are removed and Ir sensitivity is increased by buffering the solutions with a mixture of copper and sodium sulphates. Substantial amounts of Ag, Al, Au, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ho, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Te, Ti, V, Y, Zn and platinum metals can be tolerated in the atomic-absorption determination. The sensitivity and detection limits are 3.2 and 0.25 ppm of Ir, respectively.

Talanta

Atomic-absorption determination of rhodium in chromite concentrates

Rhodium is determined in chromite concentrates by atomic absorption after concentration either by co-precipitation with tellurium formed by the reduction of tellurite with tin(II) chloride or by fire assay into a gold bead. Interelement interferences in the atomic-absorption determination are removed by buffering the solutions with lanthanum sulphate (lanthanum concentration 1%). Substantial amounts of Ag, Al, Au, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ho, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Te, Ti, V, Y, Zn and platinum metals can be tolerated. A lower limit of approximately 0.07 ppm Rh can be determined in a 3-g sample.

Talanta