metamict

(ˈmɛtəˌmɪkt)

adj

(Chemistry) of or denoting the amorphous state of a substance that has lost its crystalline structure as a result of the radioactivity of uranium or thorium within it: metamict minerals.

[C19: from Danish metamikt, from meta- + Greek miktos mixed]

ˌmetamictiˈzation, ˌmetamictiˈsation n

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Mentioned in

mineral

References in periodicals archive

Webb et al., "Release of uranium from highly radiogenic zircon through metamictization: the source of orogenic uranium ores," Geology, vol.

Uranium Transport in F-Cl-Bearing Fluids and Hydrothermal Upgrading of U-Cu Ores in IOCG Deposits

For this reason exposure time, or, in other words, the age of zircons together with the enrichment in uranium and thorium, plays a relevant role in the degree of metamictization of each deposit.

Structural Characterization of Natural and Processed Zircons with X-Rays and Nuclear Techniques

The crystals can show etch figures indicating that conditions changed near the end of the crystallization; these figures could be confused with signs of incipient metamictization, but the mineral is not metamict.

The Trimouns quarry: Luzenac, Ariege, France

The very low grade of metamictization of these allanites (as shown by the X-ray diffraction patterns) is consistent with the chemical composition.

The Nueva Vizcaya mine: Burguillos del Cerro Badajoz, Spain

Optical data: Isotropic (due to metamictization), n between 1.931 and 1.935.

Abstracts of new mineral descriptions

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