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Earth processes cause Zr-Hf and Nb-Ta fractionations, but why and how?

Niu, Yaoling

Earth processes cause Zr-Hf and Nb-Ta fractionations, but why and how? Thumbnail


Authors

Yaoling Niu



Abstract

Zr–Hf and Nb–Ta are two elemental twins, each of which has the same valence (i.e. 5+ for Nb and Ta, and 4+ for Zr and Hf) and same ionic size at a given coordination number (e.g. RNb/RTa = 1.000 and RZr/RHf = 1.006 to [similar]1.026 for coordination numbers of 6, 7, 8 and 12). As a result, it has been the view that Zr does not fractionate from Hf and Nb does not fractionate from Ta in the formation of minerals and in all Earth processes. Recent studies, however, have shown that this traditional view is in error. Up to 2 orders of magnitude fractionations have been observed in rocks from the world ocean floor and also in the seawater on various scales. I discuss some possible processes that may help explain such large fractionations, but further work is needed to test the validity of these interpretations. Perspectives from the chemistry community are in compelling need to help address this basic problem of scientific significance in understanding the chemical differentiation of our planet.

Citation

Niu, Y. (2012). Earth processes cause Zr-Hf and Nb-Ta fractionations, but why and how?. RSC Advances, 2(9), 3587-3591. https://doi.org/10.1039/c2ra00384h

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 25, 2011
Online Publication Date Feb 6, 2012
Publication Date May 7, 2012
Deposit Date Jan 31, 2012
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal RSC Advances
Publisher Royal Society of Chemistry
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 2
Issue 9
Pages 3587-3591
DOI https://doi.org/10.1039/c2ra00384h

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