The book is structured thematically, encompassing principles, processes and products, practice and applications. Discussion of processes that control heavy mineral assemblages throughout the rock cycle are presented by leading experts, whose key-note works are followed by specialist case studies. Each work also provides details on the geology of the study area, techniques and data treatment. The high number of contributions represent the collective experience and wisdom of generations of geologists, and provide an invaluable source of references to works carried out in many parts of the world.* Presents a unique and authoritative resource of immediate relevance and practical use to the researcher and applied geologist * Contains case studies demonstrating the broad range of applications of heavy minerals in a variety of modern and ancient geological settings, and in resource exploration * Includes examples of geological problems from employing heavy mineral analysis and establishing criteria that can be applied before deciding to undertake a study

Although some handbooks on the microscopic identi In Part I the concept of heavy mineral analysis is fication of heavy mineral grains are available, a introduced and the relative significance of factors comprehensive manual illustrated in colour has not affecting heavy mineral assemblages is discussed. There been published until now. Because the appearance of are brief references to the commonly used laboratory minerals in grain mounts differs considerably from methods and auxiliary techniques. It concludes with those seen in a thin section, a different approach is some examples of the application of heavy mineral necessary for the identification of detrital grains. studies. Coloured photomicrographs, showing their colour Part II contains the descriptions of 61 transparent shades, pleochroism and interference tints, provide heavy mineral species, including those which are an excellent means of assisting recognition. As a commonly authigenic in sediments. Positive identi number of mineral grains have similar optical proper fication of authigenic minerals is important to avoid ties and morphology, it is equally important to confusion and to help recognition of diagenetic describe them verbally in detail, pointing out events. In the mineral descriptions considerable characteristic features and differences. emphasis is placed upon detrital morphology and This book is intended primarily as a manual that diagnostic features. Optical properties and character describes and illustrates the transparent heavy min istics are detailed, together with information on host erals most commonly found in sediments. It is hoped rocks.

The principal aim of this book is to provide a wide range of information and a useful reference for researchers interested to investigate heavy mineral assemblages in different geological settings and for a variety of purposes. The methodological developments achieved in recent years for the identification of heavy minerals in a wide grain-size range are illustrated. All factors that affect heavy mineral concentration and relative proportions, including hydraulic sorting, mechanical abrasion, chemical weathering, and post-depositional dissolution, and all factors able to introduce analytical, environmental, or diagenetic bias are thoroughly addressed. A proper integration of multiple techniques including bulk sediment, multi-mineral, and single-mineral methods are discussed by renowned authors in their invited contributions.

Scholarly work on sedimentology. Each article is signed and has a bibliography. Illustrated. Indexed.

Mahaney presents methods of using electron microscopy developed in the past 25 years, and discusses their values in the interpretation of sedimentary environments, the problems inherent in these methods, case studies and future possibilities for research.

See journals under US Geological survey. Circular 1071.

The Mineral Resources of the Sea

This volume describes the use of till geochemical and indicator mineral methods for mineral exploration in the glaciated terrain of Canada. The principles and examples described in this volume will have direct applications for exploration companies looking for diamonds, precious and base metals and uranium in glaciated parts of North America, northern Europe and Asia and mountainous regions of South America.

A second edition, in two parts, of Volume 1 of this well-known reference series. This volume deals mainly with the olivine and garnet groups and also the humite group, zircon, sphene, vesuvianite, the Al2SiO5 (including mullite), topaz, staurolite and chloritoid. The disilicates and ring-silicates are covered in Volume 1B. In the years since the first edition was published, the quantity and scope of research on the olivines, garnets and the aluminosilicates has grown enormously and has given rise to a wide variety of literature. This book, which has been completely rewritten and considerably expanded, summarizes the important research results and presents them in an organized fashion. Each mineral chapter is divided into sections on structure, chemistry, optical and physical properties, distinguishing features and paragenesis. Each chapter is headed by a tabulation of mineral data and a sketch showing optical orientation, and concludes with full references to the literature. Diagrams of the crystal structures are presented and are followed by a discussion of the structural features. The chemical sections include a large number of analyses from which structural formulae have been calculated, illustrating the chemical and paragenetical variation exhibited by each mineral; phase equilibria in relevant systems are fully considered. In the sections on optical and physical properties, particular attention is paid to the correlation of these properties with chemical composition. The principal modes of occurrence are described and discussed in the paragenesis sections; here again correlation with chemistry is emphasized. 11 volumes are available in this series.

An easy to use field guide that contains everything rock and mineral enthusiasts need to know with more than 1,000 spectacular illustrations—600 in full color! Practical, concise, and easy to use, Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Rocks and Minerals contains everything that the rock and mineral enthusiast needs to know. This field guide is divided into two large sections—one devoted to minerals and one to rocks, each prefaced by a comprehensive introduction that discusses formation, chemistry, and more. All 377 entries, beautifully illustrated with color photographs and helpful visual symbols, provide descriptions and practical information about appearance, classification, rarity, crystal formation, mode of occurrence, gravity of mineral, rock chemistry, modal classification fields, formational environments, grain sizes of rocks, and much more. Whether you are a serious collector or an information-seeking amateur, this incomparably beautiful, authoritative guide will prove an invaluable reference.