The principal investigator will attempt to determine the solution characteristics of highly charged cations in peralkaline, peraluminous, and metaluminous granitic to syenitic melts. The objectives are to establish a hierarchy of interactions of highly charged cations and network-forming modifying cations. To be determined are the magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and vibrational spectra of various glasses, the saturation surfaces of unary oxides containing one or more highly charges cations (as a function of alkali/alumina ratio), and the role of various fluid components in affecting stability and coordination states of highly charged cations. Overall this work will increase geologist' understanding of the complex interactions that exist within certain kinds of magmas.
