Geochemical methods of prospecting for and evaluation of minerals are applied widely today at all stages of geological exploration. However, geochemical methods of prospecting for many classes of non-metallic minerals have not been elaborated. This book contains a collection of the latest data on geochemical prospecting for non-metals, which is vaulable in view of the anticipated increase of consumption and utilization of non-metallic minerals in the future. The information on various types of raw material is presented in the following sequence: general data - genetic types, conditions of formation, geological prospecting indications; indicator minerals and elements; geochemical methods of prospecting along dispersion trains and haloes, plus hydrogeochemical and geobotanical methods; primary endogenic haloes; vertical geochemical zonality; methods, stages and sequence of work. This book should be of interest to geologists in both academia and industry.
Part 1 Types of non-metallic minerals and general data on geochemical methods of prospecting: general principles of geochemical migration; orientation studies; the combination of biogeochemistry and biogeophysics in exploration of prospecting for hidden and buried ore bodies and deposits; geochemical prospecting of deposits in the moraine cover; primary geochemical haloes; application of geochemical methods depending on the scope and objectives of exploration; element associations; geochemical exploration of non-metallic deposits by superimposed haloes of halogens; mercury aureloes and exploration; concentrations of radioelements. Part 2 Deposits of the first group: diamonds; beryl; topaz and tourmaline; emerald; corundum, sapphire, ruby and spinel; rhodonite; graphite; asbestos; mica-muscovite; mica-phlogopite; rock crystal; Iceland spar; malachite; chrysoprase; turquoise. Part 3 Deposits of the second group: apatite; phosphorite; boron; barite; flourite and cryolite; sulphur; salts; natural soda; gypsum and anhydrite; limestones and dolomites. Part 4 Deposits of the third group: magnesite; wollastonite; brucite; talc; jadeite; nephrite; lazurite; feldspars and pegmatites; vermiculite; vein quartz and quartzites; sand and gravel; clays; perlite, pumice and volcanic glass, siliceous rocks; magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Part 5 New types of non-metallic deposits: the role of analytical techniques and instrumentation in geochemical exploration; decomposition techniques; new analytical techniques and laboratory; instrumental neutron activation in geoanalysis; atomic absorption spectrometry in geochemical exploration; inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry in exploration geochemistry; the technique for elemental analysis (ICP-MS); inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in geoanalysis; X-ray fluorescence spectrometry; the new generation of microanalyzers; homogeneous sample for mineral analysis and automated field identification of alteration minerals; the experience of the applications of full and partical phase chemical analysis in geochemical research. Part 6 New progressive technologies for mineral exploration: geological mapping using airborne geophysics - new frontiers; geochemical surveys; imaging spectrometry and radar techniques; atmospheric geochemical measurement; gas surveying application in prospecting for non-metallic minerals; application of resistivity tomography to mineral exploration; the method of the application of artificial sorbents; fluid inclusions and areals of fluid inclusion in geochemical prospecting; geoelectrochemical methods of prospecting; applications to mineral prospecting; new geochemical exploration method for blind ore deposits.