Abstract
Sideronatrite [Na2Fe(SO4)2(OH)·3H2O] occurs as yellow botryoidal encrustations on low cliffs of weathered pyrite-bearing mudstones at Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire, England. Extensive areas of the cliffs, up to ~100 m2, are coated with sideronatrite and its low solubility in cold water secures its longevity. Dry samples of sideronatrite convert readily to metasideronatrite [Na2Fe(SO4)2(OH)·H2O], the reaction to sideronatrite being reversible. Sideronatrite, it is suggested, forms as a result of weathering of pyrite that is present in the argillaceous sediments and reaction with Na from the sea-salt spray.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 757-759 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Mineralogical Magazine |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1999 |
Keywords
- Efflorescence
- Metasideronatrite
- Pyrite
- Sideronatrite
- Weathering
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geochemistry and Petrology