The supergene origin of ruthenian hexaferrum in Ni-laterites

For two decades, the nature of Fe-rich, oxygen-bearing, Ru-Os compounds found in the supergene environment has been debated. Ru-Os-Fe-oxides and nano-intergrowths of ruthenium with magnetite have been proposed. We applied FE-SEM, EMPA, mu-Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron tts-lXRD to Ru-Os-Fe compo...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Aiglsperger, Thomas Hans, Proenza Fernández, Joaquín Antonio, Galí Medina, Salvador, 1949-, Rius, Jordi, Longo, Francisco, Domènech Ortí, Cristina
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/160517
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/160517
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Compostos de níquel
Laterita
Nickel compounds
Laterite
Descripción
Sumario:For two decades, the nature of Fe-rich, oxygen-bearing, Ru-Os compounds found in the supergene environment has been debated. Ru-Os-Fe-oxides and nano-intergrowths of ruthenium with magnetite have been proposed. We applied FE-SEM, EMPA, mu-Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron tts-lXRD to Ru-Os-Fe compounds recovered from Ni-laterites from the Dominican Republic. The results demonstrate that a significant portion of Fe exists in a common structure with the Ru-Os alloy, that is, ruthenian hexaferrum. This mineral occurs both as nanoparticles and as micrometric patches within a matrix of Fe-oxide(s). Our data suggest that supergene ruthenian hexaferrum with a (Ru-0.4(Os, Ir)(0.1)Fe-0.5)(Sigma 1.0) stoichiometry represents the most advanced weathering product of primary laurite within Ni-laterites from the Dominican Republic.