THE ABSTRACTION OF OXYGEN FROM THE 

 ATMOSPHERE BY IRON J 



C. H. SMYTH, JR. 



Clinton, N. Y. 



That the affinity between oxygen and iron has been the chief 

 factor in the concentration of the latter into workable deposits is 

 one of the most generally recognized facts of chemical geology, 

 although our knowledge of the details of the various reactions 

 involved is far from complete. Indeed, there are few occurrences 

 of iron ores in regard to whose precise method of formation there 

 is not much diversity of opinion. 



With ore deposits and with the details of genetic processes, the 

 present paper is not concerned, its aim being to consider one broad 

 result brought about by the chemical relations of oxygen and iron. 



The question at issue is: Has there been a progressive oxidation 

 of iron since the beginning of geologic time, involving the abstraction 

 of oxygen from the atmosphere ? 



Several questions are suggested by the consideration of the main 

 topic, but at present they can hardly be touched upon. Indeed, it 

 is with considerable hesitation that the main theme is here presented, 

 since the data for its thorough consideration are not yet available. 

 But even if the conclusions reached must be regarded as to a high 



1 This paper was written in 1903, in the course of a general consideration of the 

 circulation of mineral matter, and was laid aside for subsequent revision and elabo- 

 ration, with the hope that further data might be obtainable. 



The discussion of the same theme by President C. R. Van Hise (A Treatise on 

 Metamorphism, Monograph XLVII, U. S. Geological Survey, pp. 950, 951) has sug- 

 gested the publication of the paper, in spite of its lack of completeness, since the 

 subject treated is of such a nature that a comparison of independently deduced fig- 

 ures, even though quite divergent, may be of value ; and since, moreover, in spite of 

 such divergence of numerical results, the final conclusion as to the importance of the 

 problem presented is the same in both cases. 



President Van Hise has been so kind as to read the manuscript, and has ap- 

 proved of the publication of its contents, for which courtesy the writer takes this 

 opportunity of expressing his sincere thanks. 



3 IQ 



