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Weathering processes and pickeringite formation in a sulfidic schist: a consideration in acid precipitation neutralization studies

Journal Article · · Environ. Geol. (N.Y.); (United States)
OSTI ID:6813147
Extremely low abrasion pH values (2.8-3.3) characterize the weathering products of the Partridge Formation, a Middle-Ordovician metamorphosed, black, sulfidic shale. The local occurrence is observed of two sulfates that are rare in the Northeast: pickeringite and jarosite. X-ray diffraction studies of the weathering residues and the sulfate efflorescences have also identified dioctahedral and trioctahedral illite, kaolinite, vermiculite, and an 11-12 Angstrom phase, thought to be a type of randomly-interstratified biotite-vermiculite. From the mineralogical studies, qualitative weathering processes for the schist are formulated. A probable mechanism for the intense chemical weathering of the schist appears to be oxidation of iron sulfides to form iron oxide-hydroxides, sulfates, and sulfuric acid. This natural weathering process is proposed as an analog to anthropogenic low pH rock weathering resulting from acid precipitation. In the Northeast, natural weathering rates, may, in places, significantly affect the water chemistry and mineralogy used to quantify total (natural plus anthropogenic) weathering and leaching rates. 27 references, 4 figures.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville
OSTI ID:
6813147
Journal Information:
Environ. Geol. (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Geol. (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 4; ISSN ENGED
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580100 -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
ACID RAIN
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
COHERENT SCATTERING
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DEPOSITION
DIFFRACTION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON OXIDES
IRON SULFIDES
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
MINERALS
NATURAL OCCURRENCE
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RAIN
ROCKS
SCATTERING
SCHISTS
SULFATE MINERALS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFURIC ACID
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
WATER CHEMISTRY
WEATHERING
X-RAY DIFFRACTION