Orange Pickeringite from the Algares 30-Level Adit, Aljustrel Mine, Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal

Autor: Teresa P. Silva, João X. Matos, Daniel de Oliveira, Igor Morais, Pedro Gonçalves, Luís Albardeiro, Fernanda Carvalho, Ugur D. Menda, João P. Veiga
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Minerals, Vol 11, Iss 10, p 1115 (2021)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2075-163X
DOI: 10.3390/min11101115
Popis: The sheltered environment of the Algares +30 level adit (underground mine gallery) contributes to the preservation of secondary water-soluble minerals formed on the tunnel walls. The massive sulphide and related stockwork zone are hosted by the Mine Tuff volcanic unit and are exposed in the walls of the gallery, showing intense oxidation and hydrothermal alteration. Minerals from the halotrichite group were identified on the efflorescent salts, typically white fine-acicular crystals but also on aggregates with dark orange/brownish colour. Mineral characterization was performed using several methods and analytical techniques (XRD, XRF-WDS, SEM-EDS, DTA-TG), and the chemical formulas were calculated maintaining the ratio A:B ≅ 1:2 in accordance with the general formula of the halotrichite group, AB2(SO4)4·22H2O. This methodology allowed the assignment of the orange colour to the presence of trivalent iron on iron-rich pickeringite in partial substitution of aluminium.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals