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Yttrium and REE Mineralization in Manganese Pods Occurring in Bentonite Deposits of the Eocene Texas Coastal Plain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

Debora Berti Open the ORCID record for Debora Berti [Opens in a new window] ,
Niall C. Slowey ,
Youjun Deng ,
Thomas E. Yancey Open the ORCID record for Thomas E. Yancey [Opens in a new window]  and
Ana L. Barrientos Velazquez Open the ORCID record for Ana L. Barrientos Velazquez [Opens in a new window]
Debora Berti*
Affiliation:
Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Niall C. Slowey
Affiliation:
Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Youjun Deng
Affiliation:
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Thomas E. Yancey
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Ana L. Barrientos Velazquez
Affiliation:
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
*
e-mail: debora-berti@tamu.edu
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Abstract

Eocene-aged bentonite deposits in Gonzalez (Texas, USA) carrfy scattered manganese oxide-rich pods where rare earth element (REE) concentrations as high as 7800 ppm have been detected — 10 times greater than in the already enriched bentonite. This study investigated the nature of the association between REEs and Mn oxides as well as REE modes of occurrence in these pods, in order to understand the processes that mobilize and accumulate REEs in the low-temperature depositional environment of the Texas coastal plain. Embedded, polished blocks of Mn pods were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM); sections were then extracted by the FIB liftout technique from regions bearing REEs for further analysis by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The SEM and TEM results revealed the presence of abundant yttrium phosphate nanoparticles identified as xenotime, forming large globular aggregates that reach a few microns in diameter; these xenotime aggregates also host trace concentrations of Zr, Dy, Er, Yb, and Ce. Further, rhabdophane nanoparticles were detected that host predominantly light REEs and Y. The relative proportions of REEs in rhabdophane vary between particles and show decoupling of Ce from other light REEs, suggesting oxidation from Ce3+ to Ce4+. The REE enrichment of these Mn pods is due to extensive weathering along fractures cutting through the bentonite deposit that drove their remobilization and transport downward. At the base of the bentonite, where fractures terminate against the boundary with a cemented sandstone, changes in flow regime combined with gradual downward changes in fluid composition, prompted co-precipitation of Mn oxides and REE phosphates (xenotime and rhabdophane).

Keywords

Manganese oxidesRare earth elementsRhabdophaneScanning electron microscopyTransmission electron microscopyXenotime
Type
Original Paper
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 71 , Issue 3: Special Issue on Rare Earth Elements , June 2023 , pp. 253 - 273
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Clay Minerals Society 2023

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