The Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Phosphate Paragenesis of the Palermo #2 Pegmatite, North Groton, New Hampshire

An investigation of the beryl-phosphate subtype Palermo #2 pegmatite, located in the Grafton pegmatite field of New Hampshire, has revealed a large number of phosphate species. Late-stage, carbonate-bearing aqueous fluids have metasomatically altered primary phosphates producing a suite of nearly forty species of secondary phosphates. The secondary phosphates at Palermo #2 are a result of alteration of primary phosphates and associated silicate, carbonate, sulfide, arsenide and oxide minerals locally present in the core margin. Concomitant alteration of these associated minerals contributes the necessary ions to the hydrothermal fluids responsible for the formation of the diverse suite of secondary phosphates. Alteration of the mineral assemblage occurring in a given area creates a collection of secondary phosphates characteristic of that specific assemblage, whereas a completely different collection of secondary phosphates may appear only a few centimeters away. Thus, each suite of secondary phosphates is the product of its specific microenvironment of alteration.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Year

2006

Author dc:creator

• Nizamoff, James

Contributors dc:contributor

• Simmons, William B.
• Webber, Karen
• Whitmore, Robert

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/398

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uno.edu:td-1419