Ilmenite trace elements

Moore R. O., Griffin W. L., Gurney J. J., Ryan C. G., Cousens D. R., Shee S. H., and Suter G. F. (1992) Trace element geochemistry of ilmenite megacrysts from the Monastery kimberlite. South Africa. Lithos 29, 1-16. 

A second prominent feature of arc magma chemistry is the marked Nb-Ta depletion, seen in trace element patterns (Fig. 4.2). This depletion is thought to indicate a phase within the unmelted mantle residue which has an affinity for Nb and Ta. Identifying this phase has been problematical. There are two principal candidates - a titaniferous phase such as ilmenite, sphene or rutile - in which Nb or Ta will substitute for Ti, or an amphibole. Increasingly, there is experimental evidence to indicate the importance of amphibole in the process of Nb-Ta depletion (Tiepolo et al., 2001). 

Inorganic chemicals manufacture has the potential to contaminate water with trace elements. Among the industries regulated for potential trace element pollution of water are those producing chlor-alkali, hydrofluoric acid, sodium dichromate (sulfate process and chloride ilmenite process), aluminum fluoride, chrome pigments, copper sulfate, nickel sulfate, sodium bisulfate, sodium hydrosulfate, sodium bisulfite, titanium dioxide, and hydrogen cyanide. 

Odegard, M., Mansfeld, J., and Dundas, S. H. (2001) Preparation of cahbration materials for microanalysis of Ti minerals by direct fusion of synthetic and natural materials experience with LA-ICP-MS analysis of some important minor and trace elements in ilmenite and rutile. Fresenius J. Anal. Chem., 370, 819 27. 

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