Electron-Diffraction and Electron-Microscopy Study Of

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Electron-Diffraction and Electron-Microscopy Study Of American Mineralogist, Volume 72, pages 382-391, 1987 Electron-diffraction and electron-microscopystudy of balangeroiteand gageite:Crystal structures, polytypism, and fiber texture GrovaNNrFnnru,nrs Dipartimento di Scienzedella Terra, Universiti di Torino, Via S. Massimo 22, 10123 Torino, Italy M,lncpr,r-o MBr,r,rNr C.N.R., Centro di Geologia Strutturale e Dinamica dell'Appennino, Via S. Maria 53, 56100 Pisa, Italy Srrr',c.NoMBnr-rNo Dipartimentodi Scienzedella Terra, Universiti di Pisa,Via S. Maria 53, 56100Pisa, Italy ABSTRACT Electron-diffraction and transmission-electron microscopy (rervr)investigations were carried out on the fibrous minerals balangeroite and gageite.The studies indicated for balangeroitea monoclinic unit cell with a- : 19.40,b^: 19.40,c- (uniqueaxis) : 9.65 A, 7* : 88.9"; two polytypic modifications were found for gageite:gageite 2M, monoclinic, isostructural with balangeroite,cell dimensions a^ : 19.42,b^: 19.42,c^: 9.84 A, "),- : 89.5o,and gageitelTc, triclinic, unit-cell dimensionsa,: 14.17,b,: 14.07,c,: 9.84 A, a, : 76.5", 0, : 76.6','y, : 86.9'. Chemical and physical data pointed to the presenceof four-repeat silicate chains (T), running in the channelsof the octahedralframework describedby Moore ( I 969) and placed on both sides of Moore's octahedral walls (O) to give rise to composite TOT modules, interconnectedthrough octahedralbundles. The correspondingideal crystal-chemicalfor- mula is M4rO6(OH)40(SioOrJ4,with M denoting cations in octahedralcoordination, mainly Mg in balangeroiteand Mn in gageite. The monoclinic and triclinic structural arrangementsmay be describedas consisting of equivalent layers, characterizedby translation periods a^ and c- and width b. : b^/2. Adjacent layers are related by the vector tr : -t^/2 + b" + c*/3 or the vector t, : -a^/2 + b. - c-l3. The layer sequencetft2t12... is realizedin the monoclinic modifi- cations,whereas the sequencetltrtr . (or trtrtr. .) is realizedin the triclinic modification. The symmetry properties of the two arrangements,the peculiar featuresof their diffraction patterns, and the appearance of diffuse spots in various patterns are discussed and ex- plained on the basis of the OD (order-disorder)theory. Finally, reu evidencefor the replacementof balangeroiteby chrysotile during retrograde metamorphism is given, and the role of that mineral in the metamorphism of ultramafic rocks is discussed. thickness (2 x 2 bundles). Each module sharesits free IncrnonucrroN cornerswith the doubly sharedcorners of the other mod- Gageiteis a fibrous manganesesilicate that was found ule. The resulting octahedral framework contains [001] in low-temperaturehydrothermal veins at Franklin, New pipelike channelsthat, accordingto Moore (1969), house Jersey. Although the complete structure determination disordered silicate tetrahedra. was hampered by the disordered nature of the mineral, Although the topology of the octahedral framework Moore (1969) was able to outline a substructure, with seemedto be quite well defined, the proposed number referenceto an orthorhombic cell with a : 13.79, b : and the disordered arrangementof the tetrahedra in the 13.68,c' : 3.279 A, spacegroup Pnnm (a x b x c' cell channelswere probably an artifact of the assumedsub- hereafter),disregarding the indications for a trebled c pa- structure. In fact, as regardstheir number, Dunn (1979) rameter that were suggestedby the occurrenceof addi- derived, on the basis of new chemical analyses, tional diffirse and weak reflections. (Mn,Mg,Zn)o0Si,sO50(OH)40as the chemical content of a The substructure consists of two kinds of interlinked cell with trebled c parameter; this empirical formula modules, both of which are built up by chains of edge- does not agree with the crystal-chemical formula sharing octahedra:walls three chains wide (3 x I walls) (Mn,Mg,Zn)4r(Si,rO36)[Ou(OH)or]proposed by Moore and bundles that extend two chains both in width and ( I 969). 0003{04xl87/0304{382$02.00 382 FERRARIS ET AL.: BALANGEROITE AND GAGEITE 383 Fig. l. Electron-diffraction patterns (c* vertical). (a) Balangeroiteu00l; the reflections are indexed with referenceto the 2a x 2b x ccell. The strongestspots,/:3n, correspondtothe a x b x c'cell. (b) Balangeroite[1I0]; the reflectionsare indexedwith referenceto the 2a x 2b x c cell. The 003 spot, kinematically forbidden, arisesby dynamical effects(Gjonnes and Moodie, 1965) and vanisheswith a changein orientation (e.g.,Fig. la). The four different classesof reflections(absent, weak, medium, strong)may be clearly observed in this diffraction pattern. (c) Gageite lTc [110]; the reflections are indexed with referenceto the primitive triclinic cell. More recently,Compagnoni et al. (1983) describeda fraction(sao) techniques. As balangeroiteand gageitedevelop new fibrous silicate, balangeroite,the Mg-dominant an- pronounced{ I l0} cleavageon grinding,controlled tilting exper- alogueofgageite. From rotation photographs,which imentswere performed with the [001]fiber direction as tilt axis. [001] pat- clearly indicated a trebled c parameter, and by least- In this way,the recombinationofseveral [zv0] diffraction ternsdisplayed an overallview of the wholereciprocal lattice. squaresfitting of the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern, Viewsalong [001] were also obtained for balangeroite,starting theparameters a: 13.85,b: 13.58,c:9.65 A 1a " from suitablethin sections. b x c basic cell, hereafter)were obtained. On the basis of the actual chemical data for balangeroite,and taking into account both the structure model of Moore (1969) and Psnunocrr-Ls AND TRUECELLS the empirical formula of Dunn (1979) for gageite, the Up to this point, we have introduced two different unit following unit-cell content was proposedfor balangeroite: cells,the a x b x c' cell of Moore (1969)and the a x (Mg,Fe,Mn,tr)orSir5(O,OH)ro. b x c cell of Compagnoniet al. (1983). Although both As a result of electron-diffraction and transmission- cells have been supersededby the results of our electron- electron microscopy (rervr)studies of balangeroite and diftaction study, we shall frequently refer to the a x b x gageite,we have revised the interpretation of the crystal c cell, so closely related to the structural model of Moore structuresof these minerals and their polytypic relation- (1969), as a uselirl referenceframe. Crystallographic planes ships, and we have consideredin more generalterms the and directions in the preceding as well as in the subse- order-disorderphenomena in the whole structural family. quent pageswill be referred to that cell, unlessotherwise stated. ExprnrlrBNTAL DETATLS Figure la shows a [100] electron-diffraction pattern Gageitefrom Franklin,New Jersey,U.S.A., was kindly pro- taken of balangeroite.Incidentally, such a pattern is al- vided by Mr. EwaldGerstmann through the courtesyof P. B. most identical to the [010] pattern, owing to an overall Mooreand by the SmithsonianInstitution through the courtesy pseudotetragonalsymmetry. The sharp, strong spots in P. Dunn. of J. Orientedthin sectionsof holotypebalangeroite that pattern correspondto the a x b x c' cell of Moore. wereobtained from R. Compagnoni. A similar distinction between weak reflections with / : Electrondiffraction and imagingwere carried out in a Philips reflectionswith /: 3r is evi- 400T electronmicroscope, as describedby, e.g.,Mellini et al. 3n t I and strongsubcell (1984).Ground specimens ofbalangeroite and gageite were stud- dent in Figure lb, which showsthe [ 10] diffraction pat- ied, but the only ion-thinnedspecimens were of balangeroite, tern. From a series of similar [zu0] diffraction photo- becauseof the morelimited availabilityof gageite. graphs, the whole pattern of balangeroite was obtained Electron-diffractiondata wereobtained by selected-areadif- (Fig. 2). The corresponding direct lattice may be de- 384 FERRARIS ET AL,: BALANGEROITE AND GAGEITE + * * o o + l=2n X l=2n+l X * )( t( all preaent B.l o o I = I o 3n!t *--- x + A. Fig.2. Thediftaction pattern ofbalangeroite and gageite 2M, with referenceto the 2a x 2b x ccell (i.e..A x B x C cell\. scribed in terms of a metrically orthorhombic2a x 2b x c C-centeredcell, or, otherwise,a primitive cell with unit- cellpammeters a- : 19.40,b^: 19.40,c^: 9.65A, ?- : 88.9'and related to the basic a x b x c cell through the rransformarion marrix ( l I0/ l l 0/00 1) (Fig. 3a). A similar difraction pattern occursfor gageite,and the correspondingprimitive direct cell possessesparameters a^ : 19.42,b^ : 19.42,c^ -- 9.84A, y- : 89.5'.How- ever, the electron-diffraction study ofgageite showed the frequent occurrenceofa secondelectron-diffraction pat- tern (Fig. lc) besidesthat formerly mentioned. The cor- respondingdirect cell hascell parametersa.: 14.17,b,: 14.07,c,:9.84 A, d, : 76.5,P,:76.6o,7, : 86.9"and is related to the basic a x b x c cell through the trans- formation matrix (l0h/01Y3/001) (Fie. 3b). It will be shown that the two distinct difraction patterns corre- spond to two polytypic modifications of gageite,which, on the basis of the symmetry properties and structural b) relationships that we are going to discuss, may be con- Fig. 3. (a) Geometricalrelationships among the a x b x c veniently called gageite2M and gageite lTc. cell,the 2a x 2b x c C-centeredcell and the correspondinga- x b^ x c^primitive cellfor balangeroiteand gageite 2M. (b) Geo- Trrn nnnrrroNAr, MoDULE: THE FOuR-REpEAT metricalrelationships between the triclinic cell ofgageite lTc and SILICATE CHAIN thebasicaxbxccell. Any proposed structure model for balangeroite and gageitemust take into account (l) the previous structural strong intensities of the diffraction spots corresponding work of Moore (1969) on gageite;(2) the two different totheaxbxc'cell. patterns that we observedby electron diffraction; (3) the We assumedthat the open [001] channels within the relationships connecting pseudocellsand true cells; (4) octahedral framework are occupied by a continuous chain the chemical data; (5) the infrared spectrum ofbalanger- of silicate tetrahedrawith 9.6-A periodicity. Sucha struc- oite (Compagnoni et al., 1983), typical of chain silicates tural unit correspondsto the four-repeat crankshaft chain in the range900-1 100 cm-'; (6) the fibrous nature of both of haradaite (Tak6uchi and Joswig, 1967).
Recommended publications
  • Chrysotile Asbestos
    This report contains the collective views of an international group of experts and does not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organisation, or the World Health Organization. Environmental Health Criteria 203 CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS First draft prepared by Dr G. Gibbs, Canada (Chapter 2), Mr B.J. Pigg, USA (Chapter 3), Professor W.J. Nicholson, USA (Chapter 4), Dr A. Morgan, UK and Professor M. Lippmann, USA (Chapter 5), Dr J.M.G. Davis, UK and Professor B.T. Mossman, USA (Chapter 6), Professor J.C. McDonald, UK, Professor P.J. Landrigan, USA and Professor W.J. Nicholson, USA (ChapterT), Professor H. Schreier, Canada (Chapter 8). Published under the joint sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Progralnme, the International Labour Organisation, and the World Health Organization, and produced within the framework of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals. World Health Organization Geneva, 1998 The International Programme on chemicat safety (Ipcs), esrablished in 1980, is a joint venture of the united Nations Environment programme (uNEp), the International l-abour organisation (ILo), and the world ueatttr orginization (WHO). The overall objectives of the IPCS are to establish the scientific basis for assessment of the risk to human health and the environment from exposure rc chemicals, through international peer review processes, as a prerequisiie for the promotion of chemical safety, and to provide technical assistance
    [Show full text]
  • Chrysotile Asbestos As a Cause of Mesothelioma: Application of the Hill Causation Model
    Commentary Chrysotile Asbestos as a Cause of Mesothelioma: Application of the Hill Causation Model RICHARD A. LEMEN, PHD Chrysotile comprises over 95% of the asbestos used this method, researchers are asked to evaluate nine today. Some have contended that the majority of areas of consideration: strength of association, tempo- asbestos-related diseases have resulted from exposures rality, biologic gradient, consistency, specificity, bio- to the amphiboles. In fact, chrysotile is being touted as logic plausibility, coherence, experimental evidence, the form of asbestos which can be used safely. Causa- and analogy. None of these considerations, in and of tion is a controversial issue for the epidemiologist. How itself, is determinative for establishing a causal rela- much proof is needed before causation can be estab- tionship. As Hill himself noted, “[n]one of my nine lished? This paper examines one proposed model for establishing causation as presented by Sir Austin Brad- view points can bring indisputable evidence for or ford Hill in 1965. Many policymakers have relied upon against the cause and effect hypothesis, and none can this model in forming public health policy as well as be required as a sine qua non.” In the same vein, it is deciding litigation issues. Chrysotile asbestos meets not necessary for all nine considerations to be met Hill’s nine proposed criteria, establishing chrysotile before causation is established. Instead, Hill empha- asbestos as a cause of mesothelioma. Key words: sized that the responsibility for making causal judg- asbestos; chrysotile; amphiboles; causation; mesothe- ments rested with a scientific evaluation of the totality lioma; Hill model. of the data.
    [Show full text]
  • Balangeroite, a New Fibrous Silicate Related to Gageite from Balangero
    American Mineralogist, Volume 6E, pages 214-219, I9E3 Balangeroite,a new fibrous silicate related to gageitefrom Balangero,Italy Ronpnro CoupecNoxr Dipartimento di Scienzqdella Terra Universitd della Calabria Castiglione scalo, 87030Cosenza, Italy GtoveNNr Fr,nnents Istituto di Mineralogia, Cristallografia e Geochimica "G. Spezia", Universitddi Torino via S. Massimo 22. 10123Torino. Itqlv eNo LRune Flone Istituto di Petrografia, Universitd di Torino and Centro di Studio per i Problemi dell'Orogeno delle Alpi Occidentalidel C.N.R., via S. Massimo22, 10123Torino, Italy Abstract Balangeroiteoccurs as brown asbestiformfibers in a paragenesiswith long-fiber chrysotile,magnetite, and native Fe-Ni in the Balangeroserpentinite (Lanzo Valley, Piedmont,Italy). It is orthorhombicwith a 13.85(4),b 13.58(3), and c 9.65(3)A;a sub-cell with c' : c/3 is stronglyevident. The X-ray powderpattern demonstrates an isostructural relationshipof the newmineral with gageite;the strongestreflections are:9.59(40)(ll0), 6.77(80)(020),3.378(45)(410), 3.278(40Xr40), 2.714(100)(050,510), 2.674(75)(150,223), and 2.516(40)(250).The fibers are elongated parallel to [fi)l], showone or more{/r/<0} cleavages, and are usuallyintergrown with chrysotile.The refractiveindexes are aboutthe same, 1.680(5),both parallel and perpendicular to [fi)l]; coloris darkbrown and yellow brown in thesetwo directions,respectively. Chemical analysis gives a unit-cellcontent of (Mgzs.zoFez2.tqFe].t3Mn?:5Ab.rzCao.ozCro.orTio.or)>rae3Si15.3sO53oe(OH)ls.sz, andthe presenceof a sub-cellwith c' = c/3 suggeststhe formula (Mg,Fe2*,Fe3*,Mn2*,!;o2sir5(O,OH)eo with contentsdivisible by 3; a similarformula is probablyalso correct for the Mn-analogue, gageite.DTA, TGA, and high-temperatureX-ray powder analysesshow structural breakdownwith a total weightloss of 9.4Voand the appearanceof olivineat 8fi)'C.
    [Show full text]
  • Metamorphic Veins from the Serpentinites of the Piemonte Zone, Western Alps, Italy: a Review
    Per. Mineral. (2007), 76, 127-1 doi:10.2451/2007PM0021 SPECIAL ISSUE: In honour of Ezio Callegari on his retirement http://go.to/permin An International Journal of l PERIODICO di MINERALOGIA MINERALOGY, CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, GEOCHEMISTRY, established in 1930 ORE DEPOSITS, PETROLOGY, VOLCANOLOGY and applied topics on Environment, Archaeometry and Cultural Heritage Metamorphic veins from the serpentinites of the Piemonte Zone, western Alps, Italy: a review CHIARA GROPPO 1, 2* and ROBERTO COMPAGNONI 1, 2 1 Dipartimento di Scienze Mineralogiche e Petrologiche, Università degli Studi di Torino,Via Valperga Caluso, 35, 10125 Torino, Italy 2 Centro interdipartimentale “G. Scansetti” per lo studio sull’ Asbesto e altri particolati tossici, Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy ABSTRACT. — Petrographic and micro-Raman RIASSUNTO. — Lo studio petrografico in sezione analysis of metamorphic veins occurring in sottile ed in spettroscopia micro-Raman delle vene serpentinites from the Piemonte Zone (western Alps) metamorfiche presenti nelle serpentiniti della Zona has allowed us to recognise seven different vein Piemontese (Alpi Occidentali) ha permesso di generations, developed at different P-T-X conditions. riconoscerne sette differenti generazioni, sviluppatesi The first vein generation (balangeroite + magnetite a diverse condizioni P-T-X. La prima generazione + FeNi-alloys) formed during the Alpine prograde (balangeroite + magnetite + leghe FeNi) si è formata evolution, whereas the second vein generation durante l’evoluzione prograda delle serpentiniti,
    [Show full text]
  • Characterization of Fibrous Mordenite: a First Step for the Evaluation of Its Potential Toxicity
    crystals Article Characterization of Fibrous Mordenite: A First Step for the Evaluation of Its Potential Toxicity Dario Di Giuseppe 1,2 1 Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, I-41125 Modena, Italy; [email protected] 2 Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy Received: 4 August 2020; Accepted: 28 August 2020; Published: 31 August 2020 Abstract: In nature, a huge number of unregulated minerals fibers share the same characteristics as asbestos and therefore have potential adverse health effects. However, in addition to asbestos minerals, only fluoro-edenite and erionite are currently classified as toxic/pathogenic agents by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Mordenite is one of the most abundant zeolites in nature and commonly occurs with a fibrous crystalline habit. The goal of this paper is to highlight how fibrous mordenite shares several common features with the well-known carcinogenic fibrous erionite. In particular, this study has shown that the morphology, biodurability, and surface characteristics of mordenite fibers are similar to those of erionite and asbestos. These properties make fibrous mordenite potentially toxic and exposure to its fibers can be associated with deadly diseases such as those associated with regulated mineral fibers. Since the presence of fibrous mordenite concerns widespread geological formations, this mineral fiber should be considered dangerous for health and the precautionary approach should be applied when this material is handled. Future in vitro and in vivo tests are necessary to provide further experimental confirmation of the outcome of this work.
    [Show full text]
  • Crystal-Chemistry and Reactivity of Fibrous Amphiboles of Environmental and Health Interest Alessandro Pacella
    Crystal-chemistry and reactivity of fibrous amphiboles of environmental and health interest Alessandro Pacella To cite this version: Alessandro Pacella. Crystal-chemistry and reactivity of fibrous amphiboles of environmental and health interest. Material chemistry. Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI; Università di Roma ”La Sapienza”, 2009. English. NNT : 2009PA066208. tel-00814192 HAL Id: tel-00814192 https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00814192 Submitted on 16 Apr 2013 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Università di Roma “La Sapienza” Université Pierre et Marie Curie Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra Laboratoire de Rèactivité de Surface UMR CNRS 7197 Tesi di Dottorato in Cotutela Thèse de Doctorat en Cotutelle Spécialité : Physique et Chimie des Matériaux – ED 397 Scienze della Terra - Mineralogia Sujet de la these : Crystal-chemistry and reactivity of fibrous amphiboles of environmental and health interest Cristallochimie et réactivité de surface d'amphiboles fibreuses d'intérêt environnemental et sanitaire - Dr. Alessandro
    [Show full text]
  • Rocks with Asbestos: Risk Evaluation by Means of an Abrasion Test
    American Journal of Environmental Sciences 5 (4): 501-507, 2009 ISSN 1553-345X © 2009 Science Publications Rocks with Asbestos: Risk Evaluation by Means of an Abrasion Test Bellopede Rossana, Clerici Carlo, Marini Paola and Zanetti Giovanna DITAG-Department of Land, Environment and Geo-Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy Abstract: Naturally occurring asbestos and asbestiform minerals can be found in metamorphic rocks and in the soil of the alluvial plains. Problem statement: The definition of the “free-asbestos rock” and the limit to consider a rock or a soil safe is still a controversial issue. American and European laws did not present any method to define the hazard of the green stones, instead Italian law, in Ministerial Decree1996, established a limit value obtaoined by the determination of the Release Index. In order to detect an asbestos concentration in the rocks, a reliable analytic methodology has been necessary. Approach: An abrasion trial, using the mechanism action of a rotary cylinder, and a Phase Contrast Optical Microscopy (PCOM) method to analyze the powder obtained from the mill, had been used. To simplify PCOM analysis, the sample, recovered from the mill, was selected in particle size classes: large, medium and small. Each class was separated by means of sedimentation in fibrous and granular fractions. Results: The separation of asbestos in large and medium classes was quite good and the fibers had been weighed. For the small class the transformation of visible data into numerical data was complex, but the results had been reliable. Conclusion/Recommendations: The suggested method, although semi-quantitative, could be useful to solve the difficult problem of the analysis of the asbestos content in the rocks or soils.
    [Show full text]
  • Carlosturanite, a New Asbestiform Rock-Forming Silicate from Val Varaita, Italy
    American Mineralogist, Volume 70, pages 767-772, 1985 Carlosturanite, a new asbestiform rock-forming silicate from Val Varaita, Italy ROBERTO COMPAGNONI Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra Universita della Calabria, Castiglionescalo, 87030 Cosenza, Italy GIOVANNI FERRARIS Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra Universita di Torino, via S. Massimo 22, 10123 Torino, Italy AND MARCELLO MELLINI C.N.R., C.S. Geologia Strutturale Dinamica dell'Appennino via S. Maria 53, 56100 Pisa, Italy Abstract Carlosturanite is a new rock-forming silicate occurring in a network of veins crosscutting the antigorite serpentinite of Sampeyre in the Monviso ophiolite, Italy. It is light-brown, asbestiform, and the [010] fibers are paralleled by fibrous diopside and chrysotile. The mineral is monoclinic Cm, with a = 36.70, b = 9.41, C = 7.291A, P = 1OLlo. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are: 18.02(25)(200), 7.17(100)(001,201), 3.595(45)(10.00, 002), 3.397(55)(202), 2.562(40)(802), 2.280(35)(14.01,16.01). Similar refractive indices are measured along (1.605) and across (1.600) the fiber axis. Carlosturanite dehydrates upon heating, forming chrysotile and hematite (400°C) and finally forsterite (770°C). The infrared pattern shows absorption bands due to hydroxyl anions and silicate tetrahedra. Chemical data lead to the empirical chemical formula (Mg37.77Fe~.~7Tig9Mn~.;9Cr~.~2bu .54(Si22.92Alo.s1h:23.73H72.51 126 ° (Deale = 2.606, Dobs = 2.63g/cm3) or, ideally and according to a structural model, M21[T 1202s(OH)4](OHho' H20 (Z = 2). Carlosturanite or carlosturanite-like phases may be expected to develop in serpentinite compositions under low grade matamorphic con- ditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Toxicity of Mineral Dusts Article
    Toxic Potential of Mineral Dusts Bice Fubini* and Ivana Fenoglio* DOI: 10.2113/GSELEMENTS.3.6.407 n this outline of the most prominent factors involved in particle toxicology, our body, and the better it is for our health. Not all mineral particles, we highlight the differences in the toxic potential among airborne particles however, are equally toxic. Silicosis, Iand describe what is known about the most notorious toxic agents, such the most ancient recognized occu- as silica and asbestos. The various biological paths and, consequently, the pational disease, is caused exclusively different outcomes in the health risks associated with inhaled, micron-sized by exposure to crystalline silica (Harley and Vallyathan 1996), and particle and fibers, as well as inhaled nanoparticles, are explained on the basis today many people are still dealing of form, size, and surface reactivity. The most relevant surface properties with the effects, sometimes fatal, of addressed here are the potential for free radical generation, the adsorption of exposure to asbestos (Tweedale 2002). endogenous molecules, and the degree of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity Both silica and asbestos have some of the various materials. toxic features that they do not share with almost any other mineral dust. KEYWORDS: toxicity, surface reactivity, silica, asbestos, nanoparticles In spite of numerous experimental studies in the field, such features PARTICLE TOXICOLOGY and their mechanisms of action have not yet been fully Mineral dusts may severely damage human health. “Particle clarified. Meanwhile, questions arise on the toxic potential toxicology” refers to a branch of toxicology dealing with of many other dusts, both natural and engineered, to which solid particles that enter the body mainly though the upper we might be exposed.
    [Show full text]
  • Ubiquitous Fibrous Antigorite Veins from the Lanzo Ultramafic Massif, Internal Western Alps (Italy): Characterisation and Genetic Conditions
    Per. Mineral. (2007), 76, 169-181 doi:10.2451/2007PM0014 SPECIAL ISSUE: From Petrogenesis to Orogenesis http://go.to/permin An International Journal of l PERIODICO di MINERALOGIA MINERALOGY, CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, GEOCHEMISTRY, established in 1930 ORE DEPOSITS, PETROLOGY, VOLCANOLOGY and applied topics on Environment, Archaeometry and Cultural Heritage Ubiquitous fibrous antigorite veins from the Lanzo Ultramafic Massif, Internal Western Alps (Italy): characterisation and genetic conditions CHIARA GROPPO* and ROBERTO COMpagNONI Centro interdipartimentale “G. Scansetti” per lo studio sull’asbesto ed altri particolati tossici, Universita’ degli Studi di Torino, 7 via Pietro Giuria, 10125, Torino, Italy Dipartimento di Scienze Mineralogiche e Petrologiche, Università di Torino, 35 via Valperga Caluso, 10125, Torino, Italy Accepted, April 2007 ABSTRACT. — Discontinuous veins, 1 to 20 cm 1 a ca. 20 cm e lunghe da alcuni cm a svariati dm. thick and from few centimetres to several decimetres Le vene antigoritiche consistono di fasci di fibre long, of fibrous antigorite are widespread in the rigide e fragili di tipo “cross” che mostrano una serpentinites of the Lanzo Ultramafic Massif, Western caratteristica struttura a bande parallele alle salbande Alps. The cross fibre antigorite veins consist of rigid della vena. L’antigorite fibrosa è stata caratterizzata and brittle bundles of fibres and typically show a mediante microscopia ottica in luce polarizzata, banded structure parallel to the vein selvages. The microscopia elettronica (SEM-EDS, EMPA e TEM) fibrous antigorite has been characterised by optical e spettroscopia vibrazionale (FTIR e µ-Raman). In microscopy, electron microscopy (SEM-EDS, EMPA base al valore sperimentale di m = 17 (m = numero and TEM), and vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and di tetraedri lungo un’intera lunghezza d’onda della µ-Raman).
    [Show full text]
  • Alteration of Asbestiform Minerals Under Sub-Tropical Climate: Mineralogical Monitoring and Geochemistry
    DOI:10.19276/plinius.2018.01011 PLINIUS n. 44, 2018 ALTERATION OF ASBESTIFORM MINERALS UNDER SUB-TROPICAL CLIMATE: MINERALOGICAL MONITORING AND GEOCHEMISTRY. THE EXAMPLE OF NEW CALEDONIA JASMINE RITA PETRIGLIERI Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 157/a, 43124 Parma Institut de Sciences Exactes et Appliquées, Université de la Nouvelle Calédonie, Campus de Nouville BP R4, 98851 Nouméa (F) INTRODUCTION The rising awareness in risk due to asbestos environmental exposition leads to a new interest in the in situ identification of mineral fibres. Asbestos is the commercial and regulatory designation for a group of six-silicate mineral fibres of the serpentine (chrysotile) and amphibole (amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, actinolite) groups (IARC, 2012; EU, 2003). Because of their peculiar physical-chemical (e.g., crystal habit, flexibility) and technological proprieties (e.g., heat resistance; Williams et al., 2013) asbestos has been exploited by industry since the second half of 19th century. Actually, asbestos mineral fibres are present in natural environment (rocks and soils) as a result of geological processes. Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) includes deposits resulting from widespread use of asbestos-containing products, rather than to natural deposits that have been exposed unintentionally by excavation, road grinding, or mining. In this context, weathering and human activity may disturb NOA-bearing rocks (or soils) and release mineral fibres into the air. The investigation of NOA started after the diagnosis of asbestos related pathologies in human populations non-occupationally exposed to asbestos (Luce et al., 2004; Gunter et al., 2007a, 2007b; Culley et al., 2010; Thompson et al., 2011; Bayram et al., 2013).
    [Show full text]
  • High Pressure Experimental Study of Natural Antigorite Dehydration Reactions Juliette Maurice
    High pressure experimental study of natural antigorite dehydration reactions Juliette Maurice To cite this version: Juliette Maurice. High pressure experimental study of natural antigorite dehydration reactions. Earth Sciences. Université Clermont Auvergne, 2017. English. NNT : 2017CLFAC099. tel-02918062 HAL Id: tel-02918062 https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-02918062 Submitted on 20 Aug 2020 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. UNIVERSITE BLAISE PASCAL U.F.R Sciences et Technologies ECOLE DOCTORALE DES SCIENCES FONDAMENTALES THESE Présentée pour obtenir le grade de DOCTEUR D’UNIVERSITE Spécialité : Pétrologie Par Juliette MAURICE Titulaire du Master 2 Recherche : « Magmas et Volcans » Étude expérimentale des réactions de déshydratation de l’antigorite naturelle à haute pression Soutenue publiquement le 17 mars 2017 devant la commission d'examen composée de: Jörg Hermann Professeur, Universität Bern Rapporteur Bruno Reynard Directeur de Recherches, ENS Lyon Rapporteur Patrizia Fumagalli Professeur, Università Degli Studi di Milano Examinateur
    [Show full text]