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

Roderic A Parnell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Extremely low abrasion pH values characterize the weathering products of the Partridge Formation, a Middle-Ordovician metamorphosed, black, sulfidic shale. The local occurence is observed of two sulfates that are rare in the northeastrn U. S. : 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 A 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. Refs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)209-215
Number of pages7
JournalEnvironmental geology New York
Volume4
Issue number3-4
StatePublished - 1983

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering
  • General Medicine
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • General Environmental Science
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Water Science and Technology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Weathering processes and pickeringite formation in a sulfidic schist: A consideration in acid precipitation neutralization studies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this