The effect of sulfate on aluminum concentrations in natural waters: some stability relations in the system Al2O3-SO3-H2O at 298 K

While gibbsite and kaolinite solubilities usually regulate aluminum concentrations in natural waters, the presence of sulfate can dramatically alter these solubilities under acidic conditions, where other, less soluble minerals can control the aqueous geochemistry of aluminum. The likely candidates include alunogen, Al₂(SO₄)₃ · 17H₂O, alunite, KAl₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆, jurbanite, Al(SO₄)(OH) · 5H₂O, and basaluminite, Al₄(SO₄)(OH)₁₀ · 5H₂O. An examination of literature values shows that the log $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{sp}}\text{= ?85.4}$ for alunite and log $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{sp}}\text{= ?117.7}$ for basaluminite. In this report the log $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{sp}}\text{= ?7.0}$ is estimated for alunogen and log $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{sp}}\text{= ?17.8}$ is estimated for jurbanite. The solubility and stability relations among these four minerals and gibbsite are plotted as a function of pH and sulfate activity at 298 K. Alunogen is stable only at pH values too low for any natural waters (<0) and probably only forms as efflorescences from capillary films. Jurbanite is stable from $\text{pH < 0}$ up to the range of 3–5 depending on sulfate activity. Alunite is stable at higher pH values than jurbanite, up to 4–7 depending on sulfate activity. Above these pH limits gibbsite is the most stable phase. Basaluminite, although kinetically favored to precipitate, is metastable for all values of pH and sulfate activity. These equilibrium calculations predict that both sulfate and aluminum can be immobilized in acid waters by the precipitation of aluminum hydroxysulfate minerals.Considerable evidence supports the conclusion that the formation of insoluble aluminum hydroxy-sulfate minerals may be the cause of sulfate retention in soils and sediments, as suggested by Adams and Rawajfih (1977), instead of adsorption.     

Contamination risk assessment of fresh groundwater using the distribution and chemical speciation of some potentially toxic elements in Calabar (southern Nigeria)

The computer program PHREEQC was used to determined the distribution, chemical speciation and mineral saturation indices in a fresh groundwater environment with limited mining activities in the adjoining areas. The aim was mainly to determine the potential risk of a coastal plain aquifer contamination by some potentially toxic elements. The results show that the elements Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Rb, Sr, and Zn are distributed as free metal ions. Arsenic is in the neutral form of H₃AsO₃ ^o, while three species of aluminium [Al³⁺, AlOH₂, Al(OH)₂ ⁺] dominate. The major species of uranium include UO₂CO₃, UO₂²⁺+, UO₂⁺, and UO₂OH⁺, respectively, in order of abundance. The groundwater is saturated with respect to alunite [KAl₃ (SO₄)₂ (OH)₆], basaluminite [Al₄ (OH)₁₀ SO₄], boehmite [Al(OH)], Cu metal (Cu), cuprous ferrite (CuFeO₂), diaspore [AlO(OH)], gibbsite [Al(OH)₃], goethite (FeOOH), hematite (Fe₂O₃), magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and uraninite (UO₂). Most of the species are not mobile under the prevailing pH (3.3 to 5.9) and Eh (7 to 158 mV) conditions. The mobile ones are very low in concentration and will be immobilized by precipitation of mineral phases. The study concludes that presently these species do not pose any risk to the aquifer.     

Iron sulfide oxidation and the chemistry of acid generation

Acid mine drainage, produced from the oxidation of iron sulfides, often contains elevated levels of dissolved aluminum (AI), iron (Fe), and sulfate (SO₄) and low pH. Understanding the interactions of these elements associated with acid mine drainage is necessary for proper solid waste management planning. Two eastern oil shales were leached using humidity cell methods. This study used a New Albany Shale (4.6 percent pyrite) and a Chattanooga Shale (1.5 percent pyrite). The leachates from the humidity cells were filtered, and the filtrates were analyzed for total concentrations of cations and anions. After correcting for significant solution species and complexes, ion activities were calculated from total concentrations. The results show that the activities of Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Al³⁺, and SO₄ ²⁻ increased due to the oxidation of pyrite. Furthermore, the oxidation of pyrite resulted in a decreased pH and an increased pe+pH (redox-potential). The Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ activities appeared to be controlled by amorphous Fe(OH)₃ solid phase above a pH of 6.0 and below pe+pH 11.0. The Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, and SO₄ ²⁻ activities reached saturation with respect to FeOHSO₄ solid phase between pH 3.0 and 6.0 and below pe+pH 11.0 Below a pH of 3.0 and above a pe+pH of 11.0, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, and SO₄ ²⁻ activities are supported by FeSO₄·7H₂O solid phase. Above a pH of 6.0, the Al³⁺ activity showed an equilibrium with amorphous Al(OH)₃ solid phase. Below pH 6.0, Al³⁺ and SO₄ ²⁻ activities are regulated by the AlOHSO₄ solid phase, irrespective of pe+pH. The results of this study suggest that under oxidizing conditions with low to high leaching potential, activities of Al and Fe can be predicted on the basis of secondary mineral formation over a wide range of pH and redox. As a result, the long-term chemistry associated with disposal environments can be largely predicted (including trace elements).     

Geochemical reactions and dynamics during titration of a contaminated groundwater with high uranium, aluminum, and calcium

This study investigated possible geochemical reactions during titration of a contaminated groundwater with a low pH but high concentrations of aluminum, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and trace contaminant metals/radionuclides such as uranium, technetium, nickel, and cobalt. Both Na-carbonate and hydroxide were used as titrants, and a geochemical equilibrium reaction path model was employed to predict aqueous species and mineral precipitation during titration. Although the model appeared to be adequate to describe the concentration profiles of some metal cations, solution pH, and mineral precipitates, it failed to describe the concentrations of U during titration and its precipitation. Most U (as uranyl, UO₂²⁺) as well as Tc (as pertechnetate, TcO₄⁻) were found to be sorbed and coprecipitated with amorphous Al and Fe oxyhydroxides at pH below ∼5.5, but slow desorption or dissolution of U and Tc occurred at higher pH values when Na₂CO₃ was used as the titrant. In general, the precipitation of major cationic species followed the order of Fe(OH)₃ and/or FeCo_0.1(OH)_3.2, Al₄(OH)₁₀SO₄, MnCO₃, CaCO₃, conversion of Al₄(OH)₁₀SO₄ to Al(OH)_3,am, Mn(OH)₂, Mg(OH)₂, MgCO₃, and Ca(OH)₂. The formation of mixed or double hydroxide phases of Ni and Co with Al and Fe oxyhydroxides was thought to be responsible for the removal of Ni and Co in solution. Results of this study indicate that, although the hydrolysis and precipitation of a single cation are known, complex reactions such as sorption/desorption, coprecipitation of mixed mineral phases, and their dissolution could occur simultaneously. These processes as well as the kinetic constraints must be considered in the design of the remediation strategies and modeling to better predict the activities of various metal species and solid precipitates during pre- and post-groundwater treatment practices.     

Mangazeite,Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)(OH)<Subscript>4</Subscript> · 3H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O,a new mineral species

Mangazeite, a new mineral species, has been found at the Mangazeya silver deposit (300 km east of the Lena River, 65°43′40″ N and 130°20′ E) in eastern Yakutia (Sakha Republic, Siberia, Russia). The new mineral was described from fractured, sericitized, and pyritized granodiorite adjacent to a quartz-arsenopyrite vein. Associated minerals are gypsum and chlorite. The new mineral occurs as radial fibrous segregations of thin lamellar crystals. The size of the fibers does not exceed 40 μm in length and 1 μm across. The mineral is white, with a white streak and a vitreous luster. Mangazeite is transparent in isolated grains. No fluorescence is observed. The Mohs hardness is 1–2. The calculated density is 2.15 g/cm³. The new mineral is biaxial; its optical character was not determined; α = 1.525(9), β was not measured, and γ = 1.545(9). The average chemical composition is as follows (wt %): Al₂O₃ 36.28, SO₃ 28.81, H₂O⁺ 34.35, total 99.44, H₂O^? 9.27. The H₂O^? content was neither included in the total nor used in formula calculation. The empirical formula is Al_1.99(SO₄)_1.01(OH)_3.94 · 3.37H₂O. The simplified formula is Al₂(SO₄)(OH)₄ · 3H₂O. The theoretical chemical composition calculated from this formula is (wt %) Al₂O₃ 37.47, SO₃ 29.42, H₂O 33.11, total 100.00. The new mineral is triclinic; the unit cell parameters refined from X-ray powder diffraction data are a = 8.286(5), b = 9.385(5), c = 11.35(1) Å, α = 96.1(1), β = 98.9(1), γ = 96.6(1)°, and Z = 4. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern (d(I, %)) are 8.14(19), 7.59(49), 7.16(46), 4.258(100), 4.060(48), and 3.912(43). Mangazeite is supergene in origin and crystallized in a favorable aluminosilicate environment in the presence of sulfate ion due to pyrite oxidation.     

Geochemical models of the impact of acidic groundwater and evaporative sulfate salts on Boulder Creek at Iron Mountain,California

During dry season baseflow conditions approximately 20% of the flow in Boulder Creek is comprised of acidic metals-bearing groundwater. Significant amounts of efflorescent salts accumulate around intermittent seeps and surface streams as a result of evaporation of acid rock drainage. Those salts include the Fe-sulfates — rhomboclase ((H₃O)Fe³⁺(SO₄)₂·3H₂O), ferricopiapite (Fe³⁺₅(SO₄)₆O(OH)·20H₂O), and bilinite (Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺(SO₄)₄·22H₂O); Al-sulfates — alunogen (Al₂(SO₄)₃·17H₂O) and kalinite (KAl(SO₄)₂·11H₂O); and Ca- and Mg-sulfates — gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O), and hexahydrite (MgSO₄·6H₂O). The dissolution of evaporative sulfate salt accumulations during the first major storm of the wet season at Iron Mountain produces a characteristic hydrogeochemical response (so-called “rinse-out”) in surface waters that is subdued in later storms. Geochemical modeling shows that the solutes from relatively minor amounts of dissolved sulfate salts will maintain the pH of surface streams near 3.0 during a rainstorm. On a weight basis, Fe-sulfate salts are capable of producing more acidity than Al- or Mg-sulfate salts. The primary mechanism for the production of acidity from salts involves the hydrolysis of the dissolved dissolved metals, especially Fe³⁺. In addition to the lowering of pH values and providing dissolved Fe and Al to surface streams, the soluble salts appear to be a significant source of dissolved Cu, Zn, and other metals during the first significant storm of the season.     

Influence of acidic atmospheric deposition on soil solution composition in the Daniel Boone National Forest,Kentucky, USA

. Acid atmospheric deposition may enter an environmental ecosystem in a variety of forms and pathways, but the most common components include sulfuric and nitric acids formed when rain water interacts with sulfur (SOx) and nitrogen (NOx) emissions. For many soils and watersheds sensitive to acid deposition, the predominant chronic effect appears to be a low pH, loss of base cations, and a shift in the mineral phase controlling the activity of Al³⁺ and/or SO4^2– in solution. Soil solutions from lysimeters at various depths were taken at two sites in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, USA, to evaluate potential impacts caused by acid deposition. The sites chosen were in close proximity to coal-burning power plants near Wolfe and McCreary counties and contained soils from the Rayne and Wernock series, respectively. Physicochemical characteristics of the soils revealed that both sites contained appreciable amounts of exchangeable acidity in the surface horizons, and that their base saturation levels were sufficiently low to be impacted adversely by acidic inputs. Soil solution data indicated that the sites were periodically subjected to relatively high NO3^– and SO4^2– inputs, which may have influenced spatial and temporal variation in Al and pH. As a consequence, the formation of Al-hydroxy-sulfate minerals such as jurbanite, alunite and basaluminite were thermodynamically favored over gibbsite. Given these conditions, long-term changes in soil solution chemistry from acid deposition are acknowledged.     

Groundwater chemistry of Al under Dutch sandy soils: Effects of land use and depth

Aluminium has received great attention in the second half of the 20th century, mainly in the context of the acid rain problem mostly in forest soils. In this research the effect of land use and depth of the groundwater on Al, pH and DOC concentration in groundwater under Dutch sandy soils has been studied. Both pH and DOC concentration play a major role in the speciation of Al in solution. Furthermore, the equilibrium with mineral phases like gibbsite, amorphous Al(OH)₃ and imogolite, has been considered. Agricultural and natural land use were expected to have different effects on the pH and DOC concentration, which in turn could influence the total Al concentration and the speciation of Al in groundwater at different depths (phreatic, shallow and deep). An extensive dataset (n = 2181) from the national and some provincial monitoring networks on soil and groundwater quality was used. Land use type and groundwater depth did influence the pH, and Al and DOC concentrations in groundwater samples. The Al concentration ranged from <0.4 μmol L⁻¹ at pH > 7 to 1941 μmol L⁻¹ at pH < 4; highest Al concentrations were found for natural-phreatic groundwater. The DOC concentration decreased and the median pH increased with depth of the groundwater. Natural-phreatic groundwater showed lower pH than the agricultural-phreatic groundwater. Highest DOC concentrations were found for the agricultural-phreatic groundwater, induced by the application of organic fertilizers. Besides inorganic complexation, the NICA-Donnan model was used to calculate Al³⁺ concentrations for complexation with DOC. Below pH 4.5 groundwater samples were mainly in disequilibrium with a mineral phase. This disequilibrium is considered to be the result of kinetic constraints or equilibrium with organic matter. Log K values were derived by linear regression and were close to theoretical values for Al(OH)₃ minerals (e.g. gibbsite or amorphous Al(OH)₃), except for natural-phreatic groundwater for which lower log K values were found. Complexation of Al with DOC is shown to be an important factor for the Al concentrations, especially at high DOC concentrations as was found for agricultural-phreatic groundwater.     

Solubility relationships of aluminum and iron minerals associated with acid mine drainage

The ability to properly manage the oxidation of pyritic minerals and associated acid mine drainage is dependent upon understanding the chemistry of the disposal environment. One accepted disposal method is placing pyritic-containing materials in the groundwater environment. The objective of this study was to examine solubility relationships of Al and Fe minerals associated with pyritic waste disposed in a low leaching aerobic saturated environment. Two eastern oil shales were used in this oxidizing equilibration study, a New Albany Shale (unweathered, 4.6 percent pyrite), and a Chattanooga Shale (weathered, 1.5 percent pyrite). Oil shale samples were equilibrated with distilled-deionized water from 1 to 180 d with a 1∶1 solid-to-solution ratio. The suspensions were filtered and the clear filtrates were analyzed for total cations and anions. Ion activities were calculated from total concentrations. Below pH 6.0, depending upon SO ₄ ²⁻ activity, Al³⁺ solubility was controlled by AlOHSO₄ (solid phase) for both shales. Initially, Al³⁺ solubility for the New Albany Shale showed equilibrium with amorphous Al(OH)₃. The pH decreased with time, and Al³⁺ solubility approached equilibrium with AlOHSO_4(s). Below pH 6.0, Fe³⁺ solubility appeared to be regulated by a basic iron sulfate solid phase with the stoichiometric composition of FeOHSO_4(s). The results of this study indicate that below pH 6.0, Al³⁺ solubilities, are limited by basic Al and Fe sulfate solid phases (AlOHSO_4(s) and FeHSO_4(s)). The results from this study further indicate that the acidity in oil shale waters is produced from the hydrolysis of Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺ activities in solution. These results indicate a fundamental change in the stoichiometric equations used to predict acidity from iron sulfide oxidation. The results of this study also indicate that water quality predictions associated with acid mine drainage can be based on fundamental thermodynamic relationships. As a result, waste management decisions can be based on waste-specific/site-specific test methods.     

Effect of the Si/Al ordering on structural parameters and the energetic stabilization of vermiculites – a theoretical study

The effect of the Si/Al distribution in the tetrahedral sheets of the vermiculite mineral has been investigated employing density functional theory. The structures of six models for vermiculite with the structural formula (Mg₄)(Mg₁₂)(Si₈Al₈)O₄₀(OH)₈·24(H₂O) per unit cell were fully optimized. The models differ by the T···Mg²⁺···T coordination of the interlayer Mg²⁺ cations by two central cations from the adjacent tetrahedral sheets of the 2:1 vermiculite layers (T,T=Si,Al). We observed the formation of very strong hydrogen bonds between water molecules solvating the interlayer Mg²⁺ cations and the surface basal oxygen atoms of the 2:1 layers. The directionality of hydrogen bonds is the major factor determining the layer stacking in the vermiculite structure. Results showed that the most stable model is that where only silicon atoms in the tetrahedral sheets coordinate all interlayer Mg²⁺ cations.     

Mechanism of Hg(II) immobilization in sediments by sulfate-cement amendment

Reactive amendments such as Portland and super-sulfate cements offer a promising technology for immobilizing metalloid contaminants such as mercury (Hg) in soils and sediments through sequestration in less bioavailable solid forms. Tidal marsh sediments were reacted with dissolved Hg(II) in synthetic seawater and fresh water solutions, treated with Portland cement and FeSO₄ amendment, and aged for up to 90 days. Reacted solids were analyzed with bulk sequential extraction methods and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy, and synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Hg L_III- and S K-edge. In amended sediments, XRD, SEM and sulfur K-edge XANES indicated formation of gypsum in seawater experiments or ettringite-type (Ca₆Al₂(SO₄)₃(OH)₁₂^.26H₂O) phases in fresh water experiments, depending on the final solution pH (seawater ∼8.5; freshwater ∼10.5). Analysis of Hg EXAFS spectra showed Cl and Hg ligands in the first- and second-coordination shells at distances characteristic of a polynuclear chloromercury(II) salt, perhaps as a nanoparticulate phase, in both seawater and fresh water experiments. In addition to the chloromercury species, a smaller fraction (∼20–25%) of Hg was bonded to O atoms in fresh water sample spectra, suggesting the presence of a minor sorbed Hg fraction. In the absence of amendment treatment, Hg sorption and resistance to extraction can be accounted for by relatively strong binding by reduced S species present in the marsh sediment detected by S XANES. Thermodynamic calculations predict stable aqueous Hg–Cl species at seawater final pH, but higher final pH in fresh water favors aqueous Hg-hydroxide species. The difference in Hg coordination between aqueous and solid phases suggests that the initial Hg–Cl coordination was stabilized in the cement hydration products and did not re-equilibrate with the bulk solution with aging. Collectively, results suggest physical encapsulation of Hg as a polynuclear chloromercury(II) salt as the primary immobilization mechanism.     

Seasonal variations of ochreous precipitates in mine effluents in Finland

Ochreous precipitate and water samples were collected from the surroundings of seven closed sulphide mines in Finland. In the Hammaslahti Zn–Cu–Au mine, Otravaara pyrite mine and Paroistenjärvi Cu–W–As mine, the collection was repeated in different seasons to study mineralogical and geochemical variations of precipitates. The sampling was done in 1999–2002 from the ditches and drainage ponds of the tailings and waste rock piles that are susceptible to seasonal changes. Mineralogy of the precipitates was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR), and precipitate geochemistry was examined by selective extractions. Schwertmannite (Fe₈O₈(OH)₆SO₄) was the most typical Fe hydroxide mineral found. Goethite was almost as common as schwertmannite, was often poorly ordered, and contained up to 10 wt.% of SO₄. Goethite and schwertmannite were commonly found as mixtures, and they occurred in similar pH and SO₄ concentrations. Ferrihydrite (nominally Fe₅HO₈ · 4H₂O) was typically found in areas not influenced by acid mine drainage, and also in acid mine waters with high organic matter or As content. Jarosite (KFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆) was found only in one site. In addition, some gypsum (CaSO₄ · 2H₂O) and aluminous sulphate precipitates (presumably basaluminite, Al₄(SO₄)(OH)₁₀ · 5H₂O) were identified. Selective extractions showed that acid extracts Fe_tot/S_tot-ratios of schwertmannite and goethite samples were similar, but the ratio of oxalate-extractable to total Fe, Fe_ox/Fe_tot, of goethite samples were lower than those of the schwertmannite samples. Only Al, Si and As were bound to precipitates in substantial amounts, up to several wt.%. In schwertmannites and goethites, Al, Cu, Co, Mn and Zn were mostly structural, substituting for Fe in an Fe oxyhydroxide structure or bound to surface adsorption sites in pores limited by diffusion. In ferrihydrites, heavy metals were also partly bound in adsorbed form dissolving in acid ammonium acetate. Ferrihydrites and goethites were more enriched in Co, Mn and Zn than schwertmannites, but schwertmannites and ferrihydrites were more enriched in As than goethites. Mineralogical and geochemical evidence showed that in the spring, after the snowmelt, the acid mine drainage precipitates were predominantly schwertmannite, and were partly transformed during warm summer months to goethite. The phase transformation of precipitates was followed by a decrease in pH values and increase in SO₄ concentrations of waters. Adsorbed As retarded the phase transformation.     

Pollution reduction and biodegradability index improvement of tannery effluents

Al₂ (SO₄)3, 18H₂O, FeCl₃ and Ca (OH)₂ were used for the treatment of tannery wastewaters. The influences of pH and coagulant dosages were studied. Conditions were optimised according to the pollutant removal efficiencies, the volume of decanted sludge and the biodegradability index improvement. The results indicate that 67–71% of total COD, 76–92% of color and 79–97% of Cr can be removed using the optimum coagulant dosages at the optimum pH range. Al₂ (SO₄)₃, 18H₂O and Ca (OH)₂ produced better results than FeCl₃ in terms of COD, color and Cr removal as well as in terms of biodegradability improvement. Moreover, Al₂ (SO₄)₃, 18H₂O and FeCl₃ produced the least amount of sludges for a given amounts of COD, color and Cr removed in comparison with Ca (OH)₂. Al₂ (SO₄)₃, 18H₂O seems to be suitable for yielding high pollutant removals and corresponding low volumes of decanted sludges in addition to improving wastewaters biodegradability index.     

Sideronatrite: A mineral with a {Fe2(SO4)4(OH)2} guildite type chain?

Summary Recently several natural and artificial ferric iron sulphate crystal structures have been solved. Sideronatrite, Na₂Fe³⁺(SO₄)₂(OH)·3H₂O, does not provide good crystals for structural purposes. However if we examine crystallographic, chemical and physical data some useful information about the ...Fe–O–S... structural topology can be inferred. In fact this analysis strengthens the hypothesis that there is a {Fe ₂ ³⁺ (SO₄)₄(OH)₂} chain in sideronatrite like that found in guildite, Cu²⁺Fe³⁺(SO₄)₂(OH)·4H₂O.

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Sideronatrit: Ein Mineral mit einer {Fe₂(SO₄)₄(OH)₂}-Kette vom Typ Guildit?

Zusammenfassung Kürzlich wurden die Kristallstrukturen mehrerer natürlicher und künstlicher Ferrisulfate gelöst. Sideronatrit, Na₂Fe³⁺(SO₄)₂(OH)·3H₂O, liefert keine für die Strukturuntersuchung gut geeigneten Kristalle. Dennoch erhält man aus der Untersuchung der kristallographischen, chemischen und physikalischen Daten nützliche Information über die ...Fe–O–S...-Topologie der Struktur. Eine solche Analyse spricht für die Hypothese, daß der Sideronatrit eine {Fe ₂ ³⁺ (SO₄)₄(OH₂)}-Kette enthält, wie sie im Guildit, Cu²⁺Fe³⁺(SO₄)₂(OH)·4H₂O, gefunden wurde.

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With 1 Figure

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Paper presented at the Sixth European Crystallographic Meeting. Barcelona, Spain 1980.     

The role of Al in the formation of secondary Ni precipitates on pyrophyllite,gibbsite, talc,and amorphous silica: a DRS study

Formation of secondary Ni precipitates is an important mechanism of Ni retention in neutral and alkaline clay/water systems. However, the structure and composition of these secondary phases, and their stability is still disputable. Using existing structure refinement data and new ab-initio FEFF 7 calculations we show that Ni-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy alone may not be able to unequivocally discriminate four possible candidate compounds: α-Ni(OH)₂, the isostructural but Al-substituted layered double hydroxide (Ni-Al LDH), and 1:1 and 2:1 Ni-containing phyllosilicates. Hence, we investigated the potential of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) in determining in situ the Ni phase forming in the presence of four sorbents, pyrophyllite, talc, gibbsite, and amorphous silica. The ³A_2g → ³T_1g(F) band (ν2) of octahedrally coordinated Ni²⁺ could be reliably extracted from the reflectance spectra of wet pastes. In the presence of the Al-free talc and amorphous silica, the ν2 band was at ≈14,900 cm⁻¹, but shifted to 15,300 cm⁻¹ in the presence of Al-containing pyrophyllite and gibbsite. This shift suggests that Al is dissolved from the sorbent and substitutes for Ni in brucite-like hydroxide layers of the newly forming precipitate phase, causing a decrease of the Ni-O distances and, in turn, an increase of the crystal-field splitting energy. Comparison with Ni model compounds showed that the band at 14,900 cm⁻¹ is a unique fingerprint of α-Ni(OH)₂, and the band at 15,300 cm⁻¹ of Ni-Al LDH. Although the complete transformation of α-Ni(OH)₂ into a Ni phyllosilicate causes a significant contraction of the Ni hydroxide sheet as indicated by band positions intermediate to those of α-Ni(OH)₂ and Ni-Al LDH, incipient states of silication do not influence Ni-O distances and cannot be detected by DRS. The first evidence for the formation of a precipitate was obtained after 5 min (pyrophyllite), 7 hr (talc), 24 hr (gibbsite), and 3 days (amorphous silica). For both pyrophyllite and talc, where sufficiently long time series were available, the ν2 energy slightly increased as long as the Ni uptake from solution continued (3 days for pyrophyllite, 30 days for talc). This may be explained by a relative decrease of relaxed surface sites due to the growth of crystallites. Our study shows that the formation of both α-Ni(OH)₂ and Ni-Al LDH may effectively decrease aqueous Ni concentrations in soils and sediments. However, Ni-Al LDH seems to be thermodynamically favored when Al is available.     

The measurement of sulfate mineral solubilities in the Na-K-Ca-Cl-SO4-H2O system at temperatures of 100, 150 and 200°C

At T > 100°C development of thermodynamic models suffers from missing experimental data, particularly for solubilities of sulfate minerals in mixed solutions. Solubilities in Na⁺-K⁺-Ca²⁺-Cl⁻-SO₄²⁻/H₂O subsystems were investigated at 150, 200°C and at selected compositions at 100°C. The apparatus used to examine solid-liquid phase equilibria under hydrothermal conditions has been described.In the system NaCl-CaSO₄-H₂O the missing anhydrite (CaSO₄) solubilities at high NaCl concentrations up to halite saturation have been determined. In the system Na₂SO₄-CaSO₄-H₂O the observed glauberite (Na₂SO₄ · CaSO₄) solubility is higher than that predicted by the high temperature model of Greenberg and Møller (1989), especially at 200°C. At high salt concentrations, solubilities of both anhydrite and glauberite increase with increasing temperature. Stability fields of the minerals syngenite (K₂SO₄ · CaSO₄ · H₂O) and goergeyite (K₂SO₄ · 5 CaSO₄ · H₂O) were determined, and a new phase was found at 200°C in the K₂SO₄-CaSO₄-H₂O system. Chemical and single crystal structure analysis give the formula K₂SO₄ · CaSO₄. The structure is isostructural with palmierite (K₂SO₄ · PbSO₄). The glaserite (“3 K₂SO₄ · Na₂SO₄”) appears as solid solution in the system Na₂SO₄-K₂SO₄-H₂O. Its solubility and stoichiometry was determined as a function of solution composition.     

Structure of hydrous aluminosilicate glasses along the diopside-anorthite join: A comprehensive one- and two-dimensional H and Al NMR study

We have taken a systematic approach utilizing advanced solid-state NMR techniques to gain new insights into the controversial issue concerning the dissolution mechanisms of water in aluminosilicate melts (glasses). A series of quenched anhydrous and hydrous (∼2 wt% H₂O) glass samples along the diopside (Di, CaMgSi₂O₆)—anorthite (An, CaAl₂Si₂O₈) join with varying An components (0, 20, 38, 60, 80, and 100 mol %) have been studied. A variety of NMR techniques, including one-dimensional (1D) ¹H and ²⁷Al MAS NMR, and ²⁷Al → ¹H cross-polarization (CP) MAS NMR, as well as two-dimensional (2D) ¹H double-quantum (DQ) MAS NMR, ²⁷Al triple-quantum (3Q) MAS NMR, and ²⁷Al → ¹H heteronuclear correlation NMR (HETCOR) and 3QMAS/HETCOR NMR, have been applied. These data revealed the presence of SiOH, free OH ((Ca,Mg)OH) and AlOH species in the hydrous glasses, with the last mostly interconnected with Si and residing in the more polymerized parts of the structure. Thus, there are no fundamental differences in water dissolution mechanisms for Al-free and Al-bearing silicate melts (glasses), both involving two competing processes: the formation of SiOH/AlOH that is accompanied by the depolymerization of the network structure, and the formation of free OH that has an opposite effect. The latter is more important for depolymerized compositions corresponding to mafic and ultramafic magmas.Aluminum is dominantly present in four coordination (Al^IV), but a small amount of five-coordinate Al (Al^V) is also observed in all the anhydrous and hydrous glasses. Furthermore, six-coordinate Al (Al^VI) is also present in most of the hydrous glasses. As Al of higher coordinations are favored by high pressure, Al^VIOH and Al^VOH may become major water species at higher pressures corresponding to those of the Earth’s mantle.     

Dissolved Al in sediments and waters of the East China Sea: Implications for authigenic mineral formation

Numerous previous studies indicate that several different authigenic aluminosilicates form in the oceans. In this study we show, using dissolved Al distributions in sediments and waters from the nearshore regions of the East China Sea, that the process of aluminosilicate formation probably begins rapidly upon contact of detrital clays with seawater. Statistical analyses of dissolved Al-Si-H⁺ relations in surface sediments indicate that the minerals forming in East China Sea sediments low in dissolved Fe are dioctahedral chlorites with an average composition EX_0.91Mg_0.77Al_5.0Si_2.7O₁₀(OH)₈ (where EX = exchangeable + 1 cation). This composition is also consistent with dissolved Al and Si measurements as a function of salinity in turbid overlying waters. Results suggest a dissolution—reprecipitation mechanism for clay mineral reconstitution. This mechanism can help to explain why different authigenic clays are found in different areas of the oceans. In the East China Sea the total amount of authigenic clays present must constitute a very minor fraction of the bottom sediments. Thus, the formation of these minerals has a relatively small impact upon dissolved Si distributions. Clay mineral reconstitution in nearshore regions may provide a mechanism for buffering sediments and overlying waters with respect to pH, as the composition of minerals formed should be a direct function of the H⁺ activity in the surrounding environment.     

Fibroferrite: A mineral with a {Fe(OH) (H2O)2SO4} spiral chain and its relationship to Fe(OH)SO4, butlerite and parabutlerite

Summary The mineral fibroferrite has the chemical formula Fe(OH)SO₄·xH₂O; the value forx has not been definitely settled, but as a rule it is found to be near five. Several symmetries are given in the literature.A sample from Saint Felix de Paillères, France, proved to be rhombohedral with space group R3; lattice constants for the hexagonal cell area=24.176,c=7.656 Å. As calculated from the experimental density (=1.95 g·cm^–3)Z=18 for this cell. Intensities were collected on an automated X-ray diffractometer from a thin fiber extended along [00.1]. The structure was determined by Patterson and Fourier methods. Least squares refinement with 818 observed reflections resulted inR=0.076.The structure contains hydroxo-bridged {Fe(OH)(H₂O)₂SO₄} spiral chains built of [Fe(OH)₂(H₂O)₂O₂] octahedra and SO₄ tetrahedra. Hydrogen bonds provide connections between these chains. The spiral chains are a stereoisomer variant of the hydroxo-bridged linear chains of Fe(OH)SO₄, butlerite and parabutlerite. A comparison of these compounds is givenm to understand the relationship between the structure and their water content.

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Fibroferrit: Ein Mineral mit einer {Fe(OH)(H₂O)₂SO₄} Spiralkette und seine Beziehung zu Fe(OH)SO₄, Butlerit und Parabutlerit

Zusammenfassung Das Mineral Fibroferrit hat die chemische Formel Fe(OH)SO₄·xH₂O; der Wert furx scheint nicht endgültig geklärt zu sein, liegt aber meist nahe 5. Verschiedene Symmetrien werden in der Literatur angegeben.Eine Probe von Saint Felix de Paillères, Frankreich, erwies sich als rhomboedrisch mit der Raumgruppe R3; die Gitterkonstanten der hexagonalen Zelle sinda=24,176,c=7,656 Å. Die experimentelle Bestimmung der Dichte (=1,95 g·cm^–3) führt für diese Zelle zuZ=18. Von einer nach [00.1] gestreckten dünnen Faser wurden die Intensitäten auf einem automatischen Röntgendiffraktometer gesammelt. Die Struktur wurde mit Patterson-und Fouriersynthesen gelöst. Eine Verfeinerung nach der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate führte für 818 beobachtete Reflexe aufR=0,076.Die Struktur enthält durch Hydroxil-Gruppen verknüpfte {Fe(OH)(H₂O)₂SO₄}-Spiralketten, die aus [Fe(OH)₂(H₂O)₂O₂]-Oktaedern und SO₄-Tetraedern aufgebaut sind. Die Spiralketten von Fibroferrit sind eine stereoisomere Variante der annähernd linearen Fe–O–S-Ketten von Fe(OH)SO₄, Butlerit und Parabutlerit. Diese Verbindungen werden mit Fibroferrit verglichen, um Beziehungen zwischen Struktur und Wassergehalt zu verstehen.

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With 2 Figures

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Paper presented at the Fifth European Crystallography Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark 1979.