Abstract
A spectrometric study has been made over the range from 400 to 1500 nm on powdered specimens of saprolitic, nickel-bearing ore minerals from New Caledonia; analysis of the absorption spectra enables a distinction to be made between features due to Fe3+ and those due to Ni2+. Measurement of diffuse reflectance in the visible range makes it possible to estimate (to about 2% relative) the amount of nickel in the saprolites. The simplicity of the method and the fact that it is applied to powdered material enable these spectral characteristics of nickel to be used in prospecting for nickel or in the estimation of resources, eventually by remote-sensing.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brindley G W, Pham Thi Hang (1973) The nature of garnierites: I. Structure chemical composition and color characteristics. Clays and clay mineral 21: 17–40
Brindley G W (1978) The structure and chemistry of hydrous nickel containing silicate and aluminate minerals. Bull BRGM (deuxième série) Sect. II 3: 233–245
Burns R G (1970) Mineralogical applications of crystal field theory. Cambridge University Press Cambridge
Cervelle B, Bahu C (1974) Mesure au microscope de la réflectance, diffusée à 45° du faisceau incident, d' une poudre monominérale, en fonction de la taille des grains (entre 80 et 8 μm) et de leur absorption. C R Acad Sc Paris 278 D: 1657–1660
Cervelle B, Malézieux JM, Caye R (1977) Expression quantitative de la couleur liée à la réflectance diffuse, de quelques roches et minéraux. Bull Soc Fr Minéral Cristallogr 100: 185–199
Faye G M (1974) Optical absorption spectrum of Ni2+ in garnierite, a discussion. Canad Mineralogist 12: 889–893
Grum F, Luckey G W (1968) Optical sphere point and working standard of reflectance. Appl Opt 7: 2289–2294
Hardy AC (1936) Handbook of colorimetry. The Technology Press Cambridge, MA
Hunt G R, Salisbury JM (1970) Visible and near infrared spectra of minerals and rocks. 1 silicate minerals. Mod Geol 1:283–300
Marfunin A S (1979) Physics of Minerals and Inorganic Materials. Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York
Routhier P (1963) Les gisements métallifères. Masson Paris
Troly G, Esterle M, Pelletier B, Reibell (1979) Nickel deposits in New Caledonia: some factors influencing their formation. International Laterite Symposium New Orleans Feb. 19–21 Am Inst Min Metal Pet Eng Inc 85–119
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Maquet, M., Cervelle, B.D. & Gouet, G. Signatures of Ni2+ and Fe3+ in the optical spectra of limonitic ore from new caledonia: Application to the determination of the nickel content. Mineral. Deposita 16, 357–373 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01798963
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01798963