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Chemical bonding and spectroscopy in mineral chemistry
Chemical Geology,63 (1987) 355-359 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands
355
BOOK REVIEWS Chemical Bonding and Spectroscopy in Mineral Chemistry. Frank J. Berry and David J. Vaughan (Editors). Chapman and Hall, L o n d o n - N e w York, 1985, x + 4 3 5 pp., UK £35.00/US $73.00 (hardback). This book offers a timely overview of a widerange of complementary spectroscopic techniques available to the mineral physicist. Despite each chapter being written by a different specialist, the book is coherent and effective, and there is a significant a m o u n t of crossreferencing. Most of the available techniques are described (discussed below), with the significant exception of vibrational spectroscopy. Fortunately, R a m a n and infrared techniques are well documented in the literature. The organization of the book is amenable to reading from front to back cover. The first chapter on modelling chemical bonds introduces several of the techniques covered in detail by the following chapters. Conclusion of the book with two chapters on application of spectroscopy to bonding in opaque minerals and on surfaces leaves the reader with a sense that much has been accomplished but that the potential is high for further achievements. Overall, the book is well-written, although the various terminologies and acronyms can be confusing, especially to the uninitiated. The material is distinctly not easy reading, but the wealth of information contained within this book makes it worthwhile delving into. Each chapter provides an excellent guide to recent literature concerning one specific spectroscopic approach to chemical bonding in minerals; and each chapter is close to a self-contained guide to the technique, as well as the current and future applications. Secondly, the book is
worthwhile insofar as it is the first compendium of its kind. On the other hand, the book may, in general, be too detailed or too difficult for someone who is not acquainted with spectroscopic principles. Consequently, the level is appropriate for advanced graduate students and professionals in related areas. Although an attempt is made to strike a balance between a detailed account and an overview, the book definately leans towards the side of specifics. The introductory material in m a n y of the chapters could have been more general, and perhaps some details could have been sacrificed in favor of more extensive summaries. A related fault with the book is that the theory sections are for the most part too brief to be self-contained, but study of the cited references would remedy this lack. J.A. Tossell's chapter on quantum mechanical modelling is helpful in that he clearly explains the reasons for using the different approaches currently in vogue, the approximations underlying the various methods, and the mineral properties that can be derived from the models, without overburdening the reader with specifics. The examples chosen illustrate the range of mineral properties that can be elucidated through the various quantum mechanical models. D.S. Urch's chapter on X-ray emission and photoelectron spectroscopies is a good blend of principles, techniques and examples. The presentation is sufficiently clear that the non-specialist can make sense out of the results. Explanation in terms of the qualitative combination of atomic orbitals into molecular orbitals is effective. The forsterite example was especially instructive. The chapter on electronic spectra of transi-
356 tion metals ions by R.G. Burns is particularly well written. The different types of absorb'tion possible and examples thereof are thoroughly covered. The applications section is more geophysical than mineralogical in nature and quite thought provoking. G. Walker's chapter on luminescence is a concise presentation of a topic that tends to be descriptive in nature. He has limited the discussion to examples of the most important minerals. The summary is good in that it covers areas which have considerable research potential. The chapter on Mhssbauer spectroscopy by A.G. Maddock contains an excellent compendium of results pertinent to mineralogy. The article is self-contained, albeit long. I found the sections on application of Mhssbauer spectroscopy to kinetics and mechanism of reaction and to electron delocalization particularly interesting. The chapter on electron spin resonance a n d nuclear magnetic resonance by W.R. McWhinnie is an excellent introduction to both of these methods, consisting of succinct and understandable theoretical sections plus several highly illustrative examples. N M R is a blooming field in mineralogy so that since publication of this book several pertinent articles have appeared by Kirkpatrick and coworkers and Stebbins and coworkers. D.J. Vaughan's chapter on chemical bonding in the opaque phases covers a few additional techniques pertinent to study of their special magnetic, electronic and optical properties. The discussion on use of qualitative and quantitative molecular orbitial theory to explain trends in optical properties, stability and hardness for different mineral systems was edifying. This chapter is self-contained, but the reader would benefit more by studying the prior chapters first. F.J. Berry's chapter on mineral surfaces and chemical bonding is more of an overview than most of the other chapters, relegating both techniques and theory to the literature. As such, he focuses on results from such diverse topics
as surface contamination, adsorption of metal ions, gas-solid and liquid-solid interfaces, and the effects of weathering on minerals. This chapter is a useful guide to an up-and-coming area of research.
ANNE M. HOFMEISTER {Washington,D.C.)
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry - An Atlas of Spectral Information. R.K. Winge, V.A. Fassel, V.J. Peterson and M.A. Floyd, Ames Laboratory, Energy and Mineral Resources Institute, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Physical Sciences Data, 20. Elsevier Science Publishing Co., New York, 1985, ix ÷ 584 pp., ISBN 0-444-42358-3, US $192.25 (U.S.A. & Canada)/Dfl. 500.00 (rest of world ) (hardback). Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry ( I C P - A E S ) is now acclaimed as a versatile technique for routine sequential and simultaneous quantitative multielement analysis of geological materials. Since most elements undergo ionization in the ICP, more than 70 elements in the periodic table can be determined with limits of detection in the/zg/kg level. Due to the energetic source numerous spectral transitions occur in the argon plasma with the result that many ion and atom spectral lines are emitted. One of the drawbacks of using ICP-AES for geochemical analysis, are spectral line interferences due to sample concomitants, for example, manganese, iron, titanium and zirconium, which result in considerable coincidences with the analyte wavelengths. Furthermore, the ICP spectra and the intensity assignments are substantially different from those produced by the high-voltage spark and DC carbon arc emission sources. Consequently, the selection of interference-free analyte wavelengths and positions for background compensation for the analysis of complex geological
355
BOOK REVIEWS Chemical Bonding and Spectroscopy in Mineral Chemistry. Frank J. Berry and David J. Vaughan (Editors). Chapman and Hall, L o n d o n - N e w York, 1985, x + 4 3 5 pp., UK £35.00/US $73.00 (hardback). This book offers a timely overview of a widerange of complementary spectroscopic techniques available to the mineral physicist. Despite each chapter being written by a different specialist, the book is coherent and effective, and there is a significant a m o u n t of crossreferencing. Most of the available techniques are described (discussed below), with the significant exception of vibrational spectroscopy. Fortunately, R a m a n and infrared techniques are well documented in the literature. The organization of the book is amenable to reading from front to back cover. The first chapter on modelling chemical bonds introduces several of the techniques covered in detail by the following chapters. Conclusion of the book with two chapters on application of spectroscopy to bonding in opaque minerals and on surfaces leaves the reader with a sense that much has been accomplished but that the potential is high for further achievements. Overall, the book is well-written, although the various terminologies and acronyms can be confusing, especially to the uninitiated. The material is distinctly not easy reading, but the wealth of information contained within this book makes it worthwhile delving into. Each chapter provides an excellent guide to recent literature concerning one specific spectroscopic approach to chemical bonding in minerals; and each chapter is close to a self-contained guide to the technique, as well as the current and future applications. Secondly, the book is
worthwhile insofar as it is the first compendium of its kind. On the other hand, the book may, in general, be too detailed or too difficult for someone who is not acquainted with spectroscopic principles. Consequently, the level is appropriate for advanced graduate students and professionals in related areas. Although an attempt is made to strike a balance between a detailed account and an overview, the book definately leans towards the side of specifics. The introductory material in m a n y of the chapters could have been more general, and perhaps some details could have been sacrificed in favor of more extensive summaries. A related fault with the book is that the theory sections are for the most part too brief to be self-contained, but study of the cited references would remedy this lack. J.A. Tossell's chapter on quantum mechanical modelling is helpful in that he clearly explains the reasons for using the different approaches currently in vogue, the approximations underlying the various methods, and the mineral properties that can be derived from the models, without overburdening the reader with specifics. The examples chosen illustrate the range of mineral properties that can be elucidated through the various quantum mechanical models. D.S. Urch's chapter on X-ray emission and photoelectron spectroscopies is a good blend of principles, techniques and examples. The presentation is sufficiently clear that the non-specialist can make sense out of the results. Explanation in terms of the qualitative combination of atomic orbitals into molecular orbitals is effective. The forsterite example was especially instructive. The chapter on electronic spectra of transi-
356 tion metals ions by R.G. Burns is particularly well written. The different types of absorb'tion possible and examples thereof are thoroughly covered. The applications section is more geophysical than mineralogical in nature and quite thought provoking. G. Walker's chapter on luminescence is a concise presentation of a topic that tends to be descriptive in nature. He has limited the discussion to examples of the most important minerals. The summary is good in that it covers areas which have considerable research potential. The chapter on Mhssbauer spectroscopy by A.G. Maddock contains an excellent compendium of results pertinent to mineralogy. The article is self-contained, albeit long. I found the sections on application of Mhssbauer spectroscopy to kinetics and mechanism of reaction and to electron delocalization particularly interesting. The chapter on electron spin resonance a n d nuclear magnetic resonance by W.R. McWhinnie is an excellent introduction to both of these methods, consisting of succinct and understandable theoretical sections plus several highly illustrative examples. N M R is a blooming field in mineralogy so that since publication of this book several pertinent articles have appeared by Kirkpatrick and coworkers and Stebbins and coworkers. D.J. Vaughan's chapter on chemical bonding in the opaque phases covers a few additional techniques pertinent to study of their special magnetic, electronic and optical properties. The discussion on use of qualitative and quantitative molecular orbitial theory to explain trends in optical properties, stability and hardness for different mineral systems was edifying. This chapter is self-contained, but the reader would benefit more by studying the prior chapters first. F.J. Berry's chapter on mineral surfaces and chemical bonding is more of an overview than most of the other chapters, relegating both techniques and theory to the literature. As such, he focuses on results from such diverse topics
as surface contamination, adsorption of metal ions, gas-solid and liquid-solid interfaces, and the effects of weathering on minerals. This chapter is a useful guide to an up-and-coming area of research.
ANNE M. HOFMEISTER {Washington,D.C.)
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry - An Atlas of Spectral Information. R.K. Winge, V.A. Fassel, V.J. Peterson and M.A. Floyd, Ames Laboratory, Energy and Mineral Resources Institute, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Physical Sciences Data, 20. Elsevier Science Publishing Co., New York, 1985, ix ÷ 584 pp., ISBN 0-444-42358-3, US $192.25 (U.S.A. & Canada)/Dfl. 500.00 (rest of world ) (hardback). Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry ( I C P - A E S ) is now acclaimed as a versatile technique for routine sequential and simultaneous quantitative multielement analysis of geological materials. Since most elements undergo ionization in the ICP, more than 70 elements in the periodic table can be determined with limits of detection in the/zg/kg level. Due to the energetic source numerous spectral transitions occur in the argon plasma with the result that many ion and atom spectral lines are emitted. One of the drawbacks of using ICP-AES for geochemical analysis, are spectral line interferences due to sample concomitants, for example, manganese, iron, titanium and zirconium, which result in considerable coincidences with the analyte wavelengths. Furthermore, the ICP spectra and the intensity assignments are substantially different from those produced by the high-voltage spark and DC carbon arc emission sources. Consequently, the selection of interference-free analyte wavelengths and positions for background compensation for the analysis of complex geological