Beryllium

Abstract

Division; available at http://periodic.lanl.gov/images/periodictable.pdf. Cover.Upper left, nodule of fluorite, opal, and quartz that contains about 1 percent beryllium as bertrandite. Photograph from Foley and others (2012). Lower left, lithium-cesium-tantalum-type pegmatite that shows typical green coloration in an assemblage of quartz and mica. Photograph from USGS archive. Upper right, beryllium metal is used to make mirrors of powerful telescopes. Photograph courtesy of Ball Aerospace. Lower right, beryllium-copper alloys are used to make contacts and connectors, switches, relays, and shielding for everything from cell phones and computers to thermostats, high-definition televisions, and automobiles, as well as electrical connectors necessary for next-generation Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometers, and electrical contacts in cell phones and computers. Photograph courtesy of Spectromat Massenspektrometer GmbH. BerylliumBy Nora K. Foley, Brian W. Jaskula, Nadine M. Piatak, and Ruth F. Schulte Chapter E of Critical Mineral Resources of the United States-Economic and Environmental Geology and Prospects for Future SupplyEdited by Klaus J. Schulz, John H. DeYoung, Jr., Robert R. Seal II, and Dwight C. Bradley For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment-visit https://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS.For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit https://store.usgs.gov/.Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.Suggested citation: Foley, N.K., Jaskula, B.W., Piatak, N.M., and Schulte, R.F., 2017, Beryllium, chap. E of Schulz, K.J., DeYoung, J.H., Jr., Seal, R.R., II, and Bradley, D.C., eds., Critical mineral resources of the United States-Economic and environmental geology and prospects for future supply: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1802, p. E1-E32, https://doi.org/ 10.3133/pp1802E. Supplemental InformationSpecific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (µS/cm at 25 °C). Activities for radioactive constituents in air are given in microcuries per milliliter (µCi/mL). ConcentrationsDeposit grades are commonly given in percent, grams per metric ton (g/t)-which is equivalent to parts per million (ppm)-or troy ounces per short ton (oz/T).Geologic ages are expressed in mega-annum (Ma, million years before present, or 10 6 years ago) or giga-annum (Ga, billion years before present, or 10 9 years ago).For ranges of years, "to" and (or) the en dash ("-") mean "up to and including." Concentration unit Equals AbstractBeryllium is a mineral commodity that is used in a variety of industries to make products th...

Geochemistry and Genesis of Beryl Crystals in the LCT Pegmatite Type, Ebrahim-Attar Mountain, Western Iran

“…Beryllium (Be), with an atomic number of 4 and an ionic radius of approximately 0.27 Å, is the lightest alkaline-earth element on Earth [1] and belongs to the rare lithophile elements group (RLE) [2]. Therefore, it is mainly concentrated in the upper continental crust (1.9-3.1 ppm; [3]), especially in peraluminous granites, alkaline rocks, and granitic pegmatites [2,3].…”

“…Beryllium (Be), with an atomic number of 4 and an ionic radius of approximately 0.27 Å, is the lightest alkaline-earth element on Earth [1] and belongs to the rare lithophile elements group (RLE) [2]. Therefore, it is mainly concentrated in the upper continental crust (1.9-3.1 ppm; [3]), especially in peraluminous granites, alkaline rocks, and granitic pegmatites [2,3]. Beryllium (Be 2+ ) has a radius that is too small in tetrahedral coordination and cannot enter the crystal lattice of the main rock forming minerals such as quartz, feldspar, biotite, and muscovite [2].…”

“…Therefore, it is mainly concentrated in the upper continental crust (1.9-3.1 ppm; [3]), especially in peraluminous granites, alkaline rocks, and granitic pegmatites [2,3]. Beryllium (Be 2+ ) has a radius that is too small in tetrahedral coordination and cannot enter the crystal lattice of the main rock forming minerals such as quartz, feldspar, biotite, and muscovite [2]. Therefore, it tends to produce distinct minerals such as beryl [3].…”

“…Therefore, it tends to produce distinct minerals such as beryl [3]. Beryl ( ,Na,Cs,H 2 O)(Al,Sc,Fe,Mg) 2 (Be, Li) 3 (Si 6 O 18 ) is the main beryllium mineral produced in a few geological settings: (1) highly evolved S-type granites and granitic pegmatite [3]; (2) hydrothermal deposits related to granite (e.g., greisen); (3) volcanogenic hosted beryllium deposits [3]; (4) metamorphic rock, specifically emerald-bearing schist [4]; (5) carbonate-hosted beryllium deposit [3,5]. Meanwhile, bertrandite (Be 4 Si 2 O 7 (OH) 2 ) and phenakite (Be 2 SiO 4 ) are dominant and related to volcanic and carbonate-hosted deposits [3,6].…”

In situ quantitative analysis of beryllium by EPMA: analytical conditions and further insights into beryllium geochemistry

“…Because elemental Be and Be compounds have special physical-chemical properties, such as high strength, high temperature resistance and high thermal conductivity, Be and its compounds are widely used in strategic emerging industries, such as national defence and advanced science and technology. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Therefore, Be is known as one of the "strategic key metals" [6][7][8] and is on the "strategic and critical materials" list. 9 Although the Be content can be determined by wet-chemical methods, the in situ quantitative analysis of Be in minerals and materials needs to be performed more accurately, which will greatly facilitate research on the occurrence, metallogenic mechanism and regularity of Be in deposits.…”