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Fe-sulphate-rich evaporative mineral precipitates from the Rio Tinto, southwest Spain

Buckby, T., Black, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1396-4821, Coleman, M. L. and Hodson, M. E. (2003) Fe-sulphate-rich evaporative mineral precipitates from the Rio Tinto, southwest Spain. Mineralogical Magazine, 67 (2). pp. 263-278. ISSN 0026-461X

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To link to this item DOI: 10.1180/0026461036720104

Abstract/Summary

The soluble metal sulphate salts melanterite, rozenite, rhomboclase, szornolnokite, copiapite, coquimbite, hexahydrite and halotrichite, together with gypsum, have been identified, some for the first time oil the banks of the Rio Tinto, SW Spain. Secondary Fe-sulphate minerals call form directly from evaporating acid, sulphate-rich Solutions as a result of pyrite oxidation. Chemical analyses of mixtures of these salt minerals indicate concentrations of Fe (up to 31 wt.%), Mg (up to 4 wt.%), Cu (up to 2 wt.%) and Zn (up to wt.%). These minerals are shown to act as transient storage Cor metals and can store on average up to 10% (9.5 - 11%) and 22% (20-23%) Zn and Cu respectively, of the total discharge of the Rio Tinto during the summer period. Melanterite and rozenite precipitates at Rio Tinto are only found in association with very acidic drainage waters (pH <1.0) draining directly from pyritic waste piles. Copiapite precipitates abundantly oil the banks of the Rio Tinto by (1) direct evaporation of the river water; or (2) as part of a paragenetic sequence with the inclusion of minor halotrichite, indicating natural dehydration and decomposition. The natural occurrences are comparable with the process of paragenesis from the evaporation of Rio Tinto river water under laboratory experiments resulting in the formation of aluminocopiapite, halotrichite, coquimbite, voltaite and gypsum.

Item Type:Article
Divisions:Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Geography and Environmental Science
Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Archaeology
Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Scientific Archaeology
Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Earth Systems Science
Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Soil Research Centre
ID Code:3332
Uncontrolled Keywords:melanterite rozenite rhomboclase szomolnokite copiapite coquimbite hexahydrite halotrichite Rio Tinto Spain
Additional Information: Conference Information: Spring Meeting of the Mineralogical-Society KINGSTON UNIV, KINGSTON, ENGLAND, APR, 2001 Mineral Soc

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