The Environment Significance of Aerinite — First Discovered in the UBC Cliffs

Abstract

To analyze the composition and structure of the pale blue outcrop from the UBC Cliffs and research the environmental significance of aerinite recorded in the sediments, mineral composition, bulk chemical composition and structural analyses were carried out by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) and X‐ray fluorescence spectra (XRF). Quartz, feldspar, mica, chlorite and aerinite as well as a small amount of amphibole, calcite, clinopyroxene, rutile, perovskite and apatite are recorded in the sediments. It is reported for the first time that the aerinite occurs in a high latitude area and in sediments paragenetic with mica and chlorite. The large span in grain size shows a typical characteristic of fluvioglacial sediments. Geochemistry characteristics (CIA, CIW, PIA, WIP and ICV) verify that there is virtually no chemical weathering. Mineralogy and geochemistry features of the UBC Cliffs sediments indicate that aerinite is accommodate to the high latitude and cold, dry climate. As the sediments show high similarity to those of their provenance, they have great significance in the identification of the forming condition and origin of the aerinite.