GALLIUM IN CORUNDUM FROM DEPOSITS OF VARIOUS GENETIC TYPES

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Abstract

Corundum α-Al2O3 is a rare component of some metamorphic and igneous rocks. Corundum contains trace elements Cr, Ti, Fe, V, Ga, Si, Mg, Be, etc. replacing Al in the octahedral position. Corundum forms isostructural series with some oxides of these elements due to the proximity of ionic radii. In addition, the radius of the trivalent aluminum ion is very close to the ionic radius of trivalent gallium, which results in isomorphic substitution of aluminum by gallium. Gallium is a dispersed rare metal that is widely used in radio electronics and the semiconductor industry. Five modifications of Ga2O3 have been established, where one of them α-Ga2O3 is isostructural to corundum. The authors studied the main trace elements (Be, Mg, Ti, V, Cr, Fe and Ga) in corundum from various deposits worldwide using in situ laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The maximal amounts of this element are found in corundum of magmatic genesis, while the highest Ga values were recorded by the authors in corundum of the Ilmenogorsk complex with amounts to 370 μg/g. The detected gallium contents in corundum from this object are almost 25 times higher than the Clarke number. In addition, the analysis of literary data showed that the Ilmenogorsk corundum contains the largest amount of gallium among primary deposits of blue corundum in the world. According to our data, the concentration of gallium in nepheline of underlying urities of apatite-nepheline rocks within the Khibiny deposit is 50 μg/g. In Russia, more than 70% of Ga production occurs precisely due to apatite-nepheline ores with an average element content of about 24 μg/g.

About the authors

E. S Sorokina

Vernadsky Institute of geochemistry and analytical chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: esorokina@geokhi.ru
Moscow, Russia

L. N Kogarko

Vernadsky Institute of geochemistry and analytical chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences

Academician of the RAS Moscow, Russia

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