高压微波消解法测定醋酸纤维过滤器采集的微尘粒子中的砷镉钴铬铜铁锰镍铅钒锌

最新的流行病学研究表明,空气中较高浓度的悬浮细颗粒可能对人类的健康有不利的影响。根据该项研究显示,由于心脏病、慢性呼吸问题和肺功能指标恶化而导致死亡率的升高与细尘粒子有关。这些研究结果已经促使欧盟于1999年4月出台了限制空气中二氧化硫、二氧化氮、氧化氮、铅和颗粒物含量的法案（1999/30/EC）,对各项指标包括对可吸入PM10颗粒的浓度提出了新的限制性指标。PM10颗粒是指可以通过预分级器分离采集的气体动力学直径小于10 μm的细颗粒。目前研究的兴趣重点逐步偏向PM2.5这些更细微颗粒物,PM2.5这种颗粒物对健康有明显的不利影响。在欧盟指令2008/50/EC中,对PM10和PM2.5都提出了具体测定要求。     

Relationships Between Geochemical Parameters (pH, DOC, SPM, EDTA Concentrations) and Trace Metal (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) Concentrations in River Waters of Texas (USA)

Water samples from eight major Texas rivers were collected at different times during 1997–1998 to determine the dissolved and particulate trace metal concentrations, expected to show differences in climate patterns, river discharge and other hydrochemical conditions, and human activities along the different rivers. Specifically, two eastern Texas rivers (Sabine, Neches) lie in a region with high vegetation, flat topography, and high rainfall rates, while four Central Texas rivers (Trinity, Brazos, Colorado, and San Antonio) flow through large population centers. Relatively high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in the eastern Texas rivers and lower pH led to higher Fe and Mn concentrations in river waters. The rivers that flow through large population centers showed elevated trace metal (e.g., Cd, Pb, Zn) concentrations partly due to anthropogenically produced organic ligands such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) present in these rivers. Trace metal levels were reduced below dams/reservoirs along several Texas rivers. Statistical analysis revealed four major factors (suspended particulate matter [SPM], EDTA, pH, and DOC) that can explain most of the observed variability of trace metal concentrations in these rivers. SPM concentrations directly controlled particulate metal contents. Variation in pH correlated with changes of dissolved Co, Fe, Mn, and Ni, and particulate Mn concentrations, while DOC concentrations were significantly related to dissolved Fe concentrations. Most importantly, it was found that, more than pH, EDTA concentrations exerted a major control on dissolved concentrations of Cd and Zn, and, to a lesser extent, Cu, Ni, and Pb.     

Mobility of Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and V in sulphide-bearing fine-grained sediments exposed to atmospheric O2: an experimental study

 The major aim was to increase our knowledge on the behaviour of Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and V in sulphide-bearing fine-grained sediments exposed to atmospheric oxygen. Samples of this type of sediment collected in a previous investigation at eight sites in western Finland were digested in HClO₄-HNO₃-HCl-HF at 200  °C and in HCl:HNO₃:H₂O at 95  °C (aqua regia), and subjected to extractions with ammonium acetate and hydrogen peroxide. Metals and S in the leachates were determined with ICP-AES. The results of the chemical analyses are compared with previously reported experimental data. The concentrations of Al and Fe in the sulphide-bearing fine-grained sediments are about 7% and 5%, respectively. Of the trace metals studied, Mn is most abundant followed in decreasing order by V>Cr>Ni>Cu>Co. On oxidation of the sediments, high proportions of Co, Mn and Ni, intermediate proportions of Cu but low proportions of Fe, Al, Cr and V are released. The extent of the release of a metal on oxidation is controlled either by (1) the level to which the pH of the sediments drops on oxidation (Al, Cu, Cr, V), (2) the amount of the metal associated with easily reduced phases (metal sulphides) in the sediments (Ni, Co) or (3) the sum of the amount associated with reduced phases and adsorbed on soil compounds (Mn). No control of the release of Fe on oxidation of the sediments was identified. Based on the results of the study it is argued that artificial drainage and the subsequent oxidation of sulphide-bearing sediments will result in extensive leaching of Co, Mn and Ni, moderate leaching of Cu and limited leaching of Cr and V into drainages. The major elements, Fe and Al, have the potential to be mobilised and leached in large amounts, though the proportions mobilised/leached will remain low. It is suggested that the identification of sulphide-bearing sediments with a high potential of metal release should be based on determination of metals in easily mobilised reduced compounds (dissolved e.g. in H₂O₂) and of the level to which the pH of the sediments drops on oxidation. Received: 16 October 1997 · Accepted: 9 March 1998     

Trace metals (Cd,Pb, Cu,Zn and Ni) in sediment of the submarine pit Dragon ear (Soline Bay,Rogoznica, Croatia)

Vertical profiles of trace metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni) concentrations, organic matter content, carbonate content and granulometric composition were determined in two sediment cores from the submarine pit Dragon Ear (Middle Adriatic). Concentrations of the analyzed metals (Cd: 0.06–0.12 mg kg⁻¹, Pb: 28.5–67.3 mg kg⁻¹, Zn: 17.0-65.4 mg kg⁻¹, Cu: 21.1–51.9 mg kg⁻¹, Ni: 27.8–40.2 mg kg⁻¹) were in usual range for Adriatic carbonate marine sediments. Nevertheless, concentrations of Cu, Zn, and especially Pb in the upper layer of sediments (top 12 cm) were higher than in bottom layer, while Cd and Ni concentration profiles were uniform. Regression analysis and principal component analysis were used to interpret distribution of trace metals, organic matter and carbonate content in sediment cores. Results of both analysis showed that concentrations of all trace metals in the core below the entrance to the pit were significantly positively correlated with organic matter and negatively correlated with carbonate, while in the core more distant from the entrance only Pb showed significant positive correlation with organic matter. Obtained results indicated that, except for lead which was enriched in surface sediment, in the time of sampling (before the building of the nautical marina) investigated area belonged to unpolluted areas.     

The coagulation,solubility and adsorption properties of Fe,Mn, Cu,Ni, Cd,Co and humic acids in a river water

River water (Water of Luce, Scotland) is used in laboratory experiments designed to investigate physical and chemical properties of Fe. Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cd and humic acids in riverine and estuarine systems. Using NaCl, MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ as coagulating agents, coagulation of dissolved (0.4 μm filtered) Fe, Cu, Ni, Cd and humic acids increases in a similar matter with increasing salt molarily: Ca²⁺ is the most dominant coagulating agent. Removal by coagulation with Ca²⁺ at seawater concentrations ranges from large (Fe-80%. HA-60%, Cu-40%) to small (Ni, Cd-15%) to essentially nothing (Cd, Mn-3%). Destabilization of colloids is the indicated mechanism. Solubility-pH measurements show that between a pH of 3 and 9, Fe, Cu, Ni, Mn, Co and Cd are being held in the dissolved phase by naturally occurring organic substances. Between pH of 2.2 and 1.2 a large proportion of dissolved Fe, Cu. Ni and Cd (72, 35,44 and 36% respectively) is precipitated along with the humic acids; in contrast, Mn and Co show little precipitation (3%). Adsorption-pH experiments, using unfiltered river water spiked with Cu, indicate that adsorption of Cu onto suspended particles is inhibited to a large extent by the formation of dissolved Cu-organic complexes.The experimental results demonstrate that solubilities and adsorption properties of certain trace metals in freshwaters can be opposite to those observed with artificial solutions or predicted with chemical models. Interaction with organic substances is a critical factor.     

Provenance and accumulation rates of opaline silica,Al, Ti,Fe, Mn,Cu, Ni and Co in Pacific pelagic sediments

Accumulation rates and chemical compositions have been obtained for pelagic sediments for 73 locations in the Pacific and for 11 in the Indian Ocean. The data for the Pacific show that many elements accumulate rapidly close to the continents and slowly in the central part of the ocean. This pattern is interrupted by two major zones of relatively high accumulation rates, one along the Equator and one along the East Pacific Rise. Deposition of opaline silica is almost completely restricted to areas of known high biological productivities at the Equator and at very high latitudes. Cu and Ni show stronger tendencies than Fe and Mn to precipitate with opaline silica. The highest accumulation rates of Fe and Mn in the open Pacific occur along the East Pacific Rise, to some extent also Cu and Ni are enriched there due to volcanic processes. Al and Ti show high accumulation rates only close to the continents; these elements appear to be almost completely terrigenous.Provenance studies of minerogen fractions, using the relations between Fe, Ti, Al and Mn, show that significant quantities of basaltic matter (oceanic crust) are incorporated into the sediments only in areas of very low total sedimentation rates in the vicinity of oceanic island groups such as Polynesia and Hawaii, whereas hydrothermal processes act as a major sediment source only on the East Pacific Rise. Sediments in the north as well as in the southernmost part of the Pacific are nearly entirely terrigenous. A balance estimate of the minerogen fraction of the deep-sea sediments from the open Pacific suggests that between 75 and 95% of all sediments in the Pacific are terrigenous and that submarine weathering (and release of basaltic debris in general) and submarine exhalations each account for only a small fraction of the sediments.     

阴离子交换色谱分离和测定微量单矿物方铅矿和闪锌矿中铜、铅、锌、银、铋、镉、锰、钴和镍等元素

微量单矿物方铅矿和闪锌矿中主体元素和痕量元素的多项分析,作者根据金属元素在阴离子交换树脂上与在盐酸、氢溴酸、硝酸、硫酸溶液之间的行为差别,试验了用阴离子交换色谱分离的条件,选用不同浓度的盐酸溶液洗提铜、钴、镍、锰、铅和银;氢溴酸溶液洗提锌;硝酸溶液洗提镉;最后用硫酸溶液洗提铋。本文所拟定的分析流程简便,试用于微量单矿物方铅矿和闪锌矿中九个元素的测定,效果较好。 实验部分 一、主要试剂     

全反射X射线荧光光谱法同时测定复混肥料中钒铬锰铁镍铜锌铅

样品经硝酸微波消解,以镓为内标,采用全反射X射线荧光光谱法(TXRF)同时测定复混肥料中的钒、铬、锰、铁、镍、铜、锌、铅,方法检出限从铅的1.0μg/g到钒的7.0μg/g,精密度(RSD)铬为2.5%,铅为16%,除铅以外,其余元素的RSD均小于10%;方法回收率为80%～120%,Pb的回收率略低主要是由于化肥中As Kα谱线对Pb Lα谱线的干扰导致测定结果偏低。用TXRF和电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法(ICP-AES)测定不同复混肥料中各元素的含量,经统计检验,两种方法测定结果在95%置信区间内无显著性差异。对于金属元素含量较高的样品,TXRF法测定结果的相对标准偏差小于ICP-AES法。对于不同的复混肥料,在微量、痕量元素检测范围内,TXRF法具有较高的准确度和适用性,仪器使用和维护成本低,方法快速准确。     

Trace Metals (Cd,Cu, Hg,and Pb) Accumulation Recorded in the Intertidal Mudflat Sediments of Three Coastal Lagoons in the Gulf of California,Mexico

²¹⁰Pb geochronologies of Cd, Cu, Hg, and Pb fluxes were obtained from the intertidal mudflat sediments of the coastal lagoons Chiricahueto, Estero de Urías, and Ohuira in the Mexican Pacific. The Cu and Hg sediment concentrations at the three lagoons fell within the ranges of 6–76 μg g⁻¹ and 0.1 to 592 ng g⁻¹, respectively; Chiricahueto and Estero de Urías sediments had comparable Cd and Pb concentrations within the ranges of 0.2–2.1 μg g⁻¹ and 10–67 μg g⁻¹, respectively; whereas in Ohuira lagoon, Cd concentrations were lower (0.1–0.5 μg g⁻¹) and Pb concentrations were higher (115–180 μg g⁻¹) than in the other lagoons. The metal fluxes (μg cm⁻² y⁻¹) for the three lagoons fell within the ranges of 0.02–0.15 for Cd, 0.7–6.0 for Cu, 0.001–0.045 for Hg, and 0.7–20 for Pb. The Hg pollution in Estero de Urías was attributed to the exhausts of the thermoelectric plant of Mazatlan and the metal enrichment in Chiricahueto and Ohuira was related to the agrochemical wastes from the croplands surrounding these lagoons.     

原子吸收法连续测定铋及氧化铋中铜铅铁镉镍

HNO3分解样品后,直接用火焰原子吸收法测定铋及氧化铋中铜、铅、铁、锡、镍。方法的检出限分别为Cu 0．22μg／g,Pb1．5μg／g,Fe0．39μg／g,Cd0．11μg／g,Ni0．34μg／g。与国标方法进行比较,分析结果基本一致,精密度试验,各元素的RSD(n＝6)≤5．2％。     

Speciation and Mobility of Selected Trace Metals (As, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) in Sediment with Depth in Cam River-Mouth, Haiphong, Vietnam

The speciation and mobility of some selected trace metals (As, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) in sediments with depth was investigated in the Cam River-mouth (Vietnam) by collecting sediment cores and analysing porewater and sediment composition, complemented with single (ammonium-EDTA) and sequential (BCR 3-step) extractions and mineralogical analysis (XRD). All trace metals show overall decreasing trends with depth in porewater as a result of anthropogenic input in upper sediment layers. High porewater concentrations of As, Mn and Pb in oxic and suboxic sediment layers may result in groundwater pollution. Sediment-bound Pb and Mn dominate in the reducible and the acid-soluble fraction, respectively, while Cu and Zn distribute rather evenly between four extracted fractions. The porewater metal speciation, as predicted by a geochemical model Visual MINTEQ version 3.0, indicates that the toxicity of Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn (presented by the proportions of free metal ions) decreases with depth, while the toxicity of As increases when As(III) becomes more abundant. The dissolved concentrations of trace metals are not only controlled by the precipitation/dissolution of discrete hydroxide/oxide, carbonate and phosphate minerals, but also by sorption processes on major sorbents (i.e. As on goethite, and Mn and Zn on calcite and dolomite). Sulphide minerals do not show any control even in the anoxic zone most likely because of the low concentration of sulphur.     

Early diagenesis of trace metals (Cd, Cu, Co, Ni, U, Mo, and V) in the freshwater reaches of a macrotidal estuary

Vertical profiles from the water column, including the maximum turbidity zone (MTZ) to the consolidated sediment were sampled in September 2000 in the freshwater reaches of the Gironde Estuary during a complete neap tide-spring tide cycle. The vertical distributions of dissolved major redox parameters and metals (Mn, Fe, Cd, Cu, V, Co, Ni, Mo, and U) were determined. Reactive particulate metal fractions were also determined from selective leaching. The studied system is characterized by density layers functioning at different time-scales, consisting of two mobile layers, i.e., the liquid (LM) and the soft mud (SM), overlying consolidated sediments (CS). This results in a three-zone diagenetic regime where (1) O₂ dynamics are fast enough to show depletion in the rapidly mixed LM sequence (tidal time-scale), (2) denitrification occurs on the weekly time-scale mixing SM sequence, and (3) the Mn, Fe, and sulfate cycling occurs in the CS layer (annual time-scale). The studied trace metals show differential behavior during early diagenesis: (1) Cd, Cu, and V are released into pore water preferentially from organic matter in the SM, (2) Co, Ni, and U are released in the CS from Mn and Fe oxides during reductive dissolution, and (3) Mo from both processes. Transient conditions (i.e., oscillations of redox fronts and reoxidation processes), due to the dynamics of the mobile layers, strongly influence the trace metal distributions as inducing resolubilization (Cd, Cu, and Mo). In the CS, authigenic metal phases accumulate, either by direct precipitation with sulfides (Cu, Cd) or co-precipitation with Fe-sulfides (Mo). Microbially mediated reduction of Fe oxides is proposed to control U removal from pore water by reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) at depth. However, a significant fraction of the trace metals is trapped in the sediment in exchangeable forms, and therefore is susceptible to be mobilized due to resuspension of estuarine sediment during strong river flood periods and/or dredging activities.     

手持式X射线荧光光谱仪测定富钴结壳样品中锰铁钴镍铜锌

便携式X射线荧光光谱仪可以快速进行多元素实时分析,在富钴结壳资源勘查中有广阔的应用前景,但是现有仪器的分辨率和稳定性有待进一步提高,特别是现场原位分析法的应用有待研究。本文针对富钴结壳中目标元素含量相对较高的特点,采用松散粉末法制样,建立了手持式X射线荧光光谱仪快速测定太平洋富钴结壳样品中Mn、Fe、Co、Ni、Cu和Zn的分析方法。该方法用多金属结核和富钴结壳国家标准物质进行验证,测定值的相对标准偏差(RSD)在0.2%~3.0%之间,测定值与标准值的相对误差为92.9%~107.6%。样品现场分析和实验室分析的数据对比表明,除了低含量Cu略有超差外,Mn、Fe、Co、Ni、Zn和品位均无超差,完全满足该类矿产资源勘查规程的要求。本法简单、高效,适用于对野外富钴结壳资源作出快速的初步评价。     

Comparison between non-residual Al,Co, Cu,Fe, Mn,Ni, Pb and Zn released by a three-step sequential extraction procedure and a dilute hydrochloric acid leach for soil and road deposited sediment

Surprisingly little is known about the relationship between the labile phases removed by sequential extraction procedures and those liberated by single leaches that minimally impact the alumino-silicate matrix of solids. This investigation examines the relationship between the summed concentrations of Al, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn released by an optimized 3-step standardized sequential extraction procedure and those released by a single 0.5 M HCl leach. Thirty-nine representative soil and road deposited sediment samples were examined from an urban watershed, in Honolulu, Hawaii, which has been shown to have a high degree of traffic-associated pollution. Properties of samples analyzed varied widely and exhibited a range in cation exchange capacities from 7 to 59 cmol_c/kg, pH values from 3.5 to 7.9, and organic C contents from 1 to 29%. Results indicate that the dilute HCl leach was slightly more aggressive than the sequential procedure as it removed significantly more Al, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni; though no significant differences were observed between Co, Pb and Zn concentrations liberated by the two approaches. Both approaches showed limited dissolution of the crystal lattice with ⩽9% of the total Al liberated. Regardless of approach, element mobility was the same with the order being: Pb>Mn>Zn>Co≈Cu>Ni>Fe ∼ Al. Regression analysis indicated highly significant (P<0.0001) logarithmic relationships between the two digestion procedures, with coefficients of determination (r²) ⩾92% for all elements except Fe (54%) and Ni (64%). Further support for the strong relationships between elements liberated by both digestions was gained from geochemical contrasts between anomalous and background levels and concentration enrichment ratios. This was particularly true for Pb and Zn, the most anthropogenically enhanced trace metals in the watershed. All data indicated that a dilute HCl leach was a valuable, rapid, and cost-effective analytical tool in contamination assessment.     

The distribution of Co,Cr, Cu,Fe, Mn,Ni and Zn in Framvaren,a Norwegian anoxic fjord

Sediments collected from a Norwegian anoxic fjord have been analyzed for Fe, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn. With the exception of Zn, the dominant factors effecting their distributions are the mineralogy of the land-derived lithogenic material and the abundance of organic matter.     

SZ-1型同位素X射线荧光分析仪分析多金属结核中锰铁钴镍铜

采用低分辨率能量色散Ｘ射线荧光分析仪和偏最小二乘法对太平洋多金属结核中的Ｍｎ、Ｆｅ、Ｃｏ、Ｎｉ和Ｃｕ等元素进行了现场分析,并对所用仪器的性能和方法的可靠性作了评价。方法经国家级标准物质验证,其测定值与标准值相符,ＲＳＤ（ｎ＝４２）各元素均小于１．０％,分析结果满足现场分析中矿物品位的测定要求。     

巯基棉分离富集ICP-AES法测定高盐冶金废水中痕量铅镉铜银

矿山企业的冶金废水含有多种污染环境的金属元素,必须经过化学沉淀法处理达标后排放。冶金废水经化学沉淀后引入了大量盐分,使得金属元素含量变得极低给分析测试造成困难。针对此类高盐冶金废水,本文采用巯基棉分离富集其中的金属元素,建立了运用电感耦合等离子体光谱(ICP-AES)测定铅、镉、铜、银的分析方法。通过优化实验表明,巯基棉可有效地分离实际样品中大量存在的硫酸根离子和钠离子基体,富集待测元素的效果显著,硫酸根离子和钠离子回收率均小于0.05%,待测元素的回收率在88.7%~113.0%之间。实验条件方面,待测溶液的pH值对巯基棉吸附有较大的影响,使用巯基棉富集前应将溶液调节至适宜的pH值;待测溶液在富集柱中的流速和洗脱剂盐酸的浓度对分离富集效果也有一定的影响。在最佳实验条件下,本法回收率为95.0%~102.0%,精密度(RSD)为3.1%~9.4%,方法快速简便、准确度高,能够满足冶金废水中痕量金属元素的检测需求。     

Comparative study of As,Cd, Cu,Cr, Mg,Mn, Ni,Pb and Zn concentrations between sediment and water from estuary and port

The contents of As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn have been determined in sediment and water samples from Valle de las Garzas estuary and Port Manzanillo (Colima, Mexico) using ICP-AES. The concentrations of these elements were used for a comparative study to determine the distribution of heavy metals and to evaluate which elements reflect natural or anthropogenic backgrounds. For this purpose, seven sampling points were selected: Four of them correspond to the lagoon, and three were situated in the port. Statistical analysis of the mineral content was assessed. Initially, data comparison was assessed by statistical tests for each variable. Principal component analysis was then applied considering the influence of all variables at the same time by obtaining the distribution of samples according to their scores in the principal component space. In this way, four studies were carried out: (1) study of sediments collected during the dry season; (2) study of sediments collected during the rainy season; (3) comparative study between sediments from rainy and dry season; and (4) study of water composition collected during rainy season. From the results of the performed analyses, it can be concluded that metals distribution pattern reflected natural and anthropogenic backgrounds (e.g., sediments from the lagoon, situated at the beginning of the rain channel, presented high contents of Zn and Cu, perhaps related to anthropogenic activities or the influence of igneous sediments).     

Sorption of PAR–metal complexes on activated carbon as a rapid preconcentration method for the determination of Cu, Co, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and V in ground water

A simple, rapid and field-oriented preconcentration method is described for the determination of Cu, Co, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and V in ground water samples by flame AAS. The method is based on sorption of trace elements as metal-pyridyl azo resorcinol (M-PAR) complexes on activated carbon (AC) at pH 5.5±0.5. The effects of various parameters for quantitative sorption of M-PAR chelates on AC are discussed. The trace elements are desorbed from AC simply by treating AC with 1.6 M nitric acid, thus avoiding the tedious and time consuming operation of ashing AC. An enrichment factor of 200 or greater is easily achievable. The trace elements could be determined down to 1 ppb (V at 5 ppb) with ±15% relative error. The RSD of the method is ±15% at the practical determination limit of 1 ppb with an enrichment factor of 200. The major advantage of the method is the possibility of performing the preconcentration at the sampling site and hence a small preconcentrated volume could be sent for instrumental analysis, thus preventing sorption on a container during storage. The method has been applied to numerous ground water samples for the determination of these trace analytes at ppb levels in connection with the hydrogeochemical exploration for uranium.     

The electronic structures of the pyrite-type disulphides (MS2, where M = Mn,Fe, Co,Ni, Cu,Zn) and the bulk properties of pyrite from local density approximation (LDA) band structure calculations

A local density approximation (LDA) band structure method, the Linear Muffin-Tin Orbital Atomic Sphere Approximation (LMTO-ASA) method has been used to calculate the electronic structures of the pyrite-type disulphides (MS₂, where M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). The total density of states has been calculated for 10 eV above and below the Fermi Level, along with the separate contributions from metal and sulphur and shows that the metal d band occurs above the sulphur p bands in MnS₂, FeS₂, CoS₂ and NiS₂, whereas in CuS₂, the d band passes through the sulphur p band and in ZnS₂, it lies below the sulphur p band. Substantial hybridization of the metal d states with the sulphur states occurs. FeS₂ is calculated to be a semiconductor with a direct band gap of 0.64 eV in good agreement with experiment. The calculated local densities of states have been used in turn to calculate X-ray photoelectron spectra and Bremsstrahlung Isochromat spectra for this series of compounds, and these also show reasonable agreement with experimental data. A particular strength of the LMTO-ASA method is the ability to calculate and predict certain bulk properties of solids of interest in mineral physics. This has enabled the first reasonably accurate calculations of the total energy of the valence electrons of the system for pyrite (FeS₂), given as — 345.885 rydbergs per unit cell, and the equilibrium unit cell volume which is within 3.3% of that determined experimentally. A theoretical pressure vs. volume curve for pyrite was also calculated along with values for the bulk modulus. However, our calculations predict a bulk modulus of 6.75 Mbar which is too high by a factor of 4.6 due to the simplifying assumption of a uniform scaling of interatomic distances on compression.