Physics and chemistry of the earth, vol. VII : L.H. Ahrens, F. Press, S.K. Runcorn and H.C. Urey (editors). Pergamon Press, London, 1966, 338 pp., 92 illus., 50 tables, £5.5.0, $16.00

Abstract

Only brief paragraphs deal with the R.E.E. contents of individual minerals. The main conclusion is that R.E.E. in rocks are for a considerable part concealed in the major rock-forming minerals, and not in mineralogical curiosities with high to very high contents of R.E.E. A peculiarity is that the element Eu is strongly enriched in the feldspar component, at the expense of the mafic components of rocks. The paper continues with a description of sedimentary and biological R.E.E. distribution patterns and fractionations , which as a whole vary only slightly from the general crustal distribution. Concentration of R.E.E. into phosphatic sedimentary materials is common. Some marine sediments are enriched in R.E.E. whereas seawater seems to have a notably low content of these elements. It is no great surprise to find at the end of a paper of this kind a small paragraph about the R.E.E. pattern in tektites, showing a strong enrichment in light R.E.E. and, therefore, possibly of terrestrial origin. As a general point the question may be raised, whether it would not be better to combine more related subjects in one volume than is the case in volume VII. This might be more valuable considering the prospective private buyer.