Brief Mineralogical Analysis of the McAfee Quarries, Vernon Township, New Jersey
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Mathew Gorring
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 12:45 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 1:44 PM
Description
One of New Jersey’s most well studied geological units is the Franklin Marble, world famous for its mineral richness. The marble has been exploited as a resource by numerous quarries, many of which have had much scientific scrutiny. However, one set of quarries, located in McAfee, Sussex County, has gone largely unnoticed. The purpose of this study was to document and potentially identify the mineral assemblages found there. Data and sample collection were conducted at three main quarry sites. Field documentation of various assemblages, and samples of each were gathered to conduct further lab analysis. Samples were prepared as thin sections or as powder to be used for chemical analysis. Thin sections allow for optical work to be done on individual mineral grains, leading to somewhat reliable identification. Optical work alone is not a definitive way to identify a mineral species, which meant lab analysis was needed. Samples were crushed into grains of both 1.70Mm and 0.833Mm. Individual minerals were separated, crushed into a fine powder, and put through various machines, including, an ICP-MS and XRD. These machines will give both the bulk chemistry of the minerals, but can also identify any trace elements found within. Due to the limited time to complete this study, there is still much left to be studied, and this report should be considered a preliminary study which can be used as a foundation for future, more in depth, research.
Brief Mineralogical Analysis of the McAfee Quarries, Vernon Township, New Jersey
One of New Jersey’s most well studied geological units is the Franklin Marble, world famous for its mineral richness. The marble has been exploited as a resource by numerous quarries, many of which have had much scientific scrutiny. However, one set of quarries, located in McAfee, Sussex County, has gone largely unnoticed. The purpose of this study was to document and potentially identify the mineral assemblages found there. Data and sample collection were conducted at three main quarry sites. Field documentation of various assemblages, and samples of each were gathered to conduct further lab analysis. Samples were prepared as thin sections or as powder to be used for chemical analysis. Thin sections allow for optical work to be done on individual mineral grains, leading to somewhat reliable identification. Optical work alone is not a definitive way to identify a mineral species, which meant lab analysis was needed. Samples were crushed into grains of both 1.70Mm and 0.833Mm. Individual minerals were separated, crushed into a fine powder, and put through various machines, including, an ICP-MS and XRD. These machines will give both the bulk chemistry of the minerals, but can also identify any trace elements found within. Due to the limited time to complete this study, there is still much left to be studied, and this report should be considered a preliminary study which can be used as a foundation for future, more in depth, research.