Original paper
The first occurrence of schwertmannite in a natural stream environment
Schwertmann, Udo; Bigham, Jerry M.; Murad, Enver
European Journal of Mineralogy Volume 7 Number 3 (1995), p. 547 - 552
6 references
published: May 18, 1995
manuscript accepted: Dec 19, 1994
manuscript received: Aug 25, 1994
DOI: 10.1127/ejm/7/3/0547
Abstract
Abstract After being frequently identified in precipitates from acid mine waters, a fully natural occurrence of schwertmannite, Fe16O16(OH)12(SO4)2, has now been found in a small stream draining a pyritic schist at the Pfitscher Joch, Zillertaler Alps, Austria. The characteristics of specimens from this location are in full agreement with those of synthetic samples and samples from acid mine waters described elsewhere. This natural occurrence also demonstrates the genetic relationship between schwertmannite, jarosite and goethite/ferrihydrite as products of pyrite oxidation, which is governed mainly by the pH and the sulfate and iron concentrations of the stream.
Keywords
schwertmannite • jarosite • goethite • stream • pyrite oxidation.