Potassic-Hastingsite from the Kedrovy District (East Siberia, Russia): Petrographic Description, Crystal Chemistry, Spectroscopy, and Thermal Behavior

Abstract

In this work we report on a petrographic, crystal-chemical, and optical characterization, obtained from different analytical methods, of amphibole species. Potassic-hastingsite, ideally AKBCa2C(Fe2+4Fe3+)T(Si6Al2)O22W(OH)2, has been found in the Kedrovy district (East Siberia, Russia). The sample occurs as well-formed and large radially radiant aggregates of dark green, almost black crystals. The unit cell dimensions are a = 9.9724(3) Å, b = 18.2968(4) Å, c = 5.3573(1) Å, β = 104.945(3)°, V = 944.44(4) Å3, Z = 2. Site populations were determined by combining single-crystal structure refinement and electron probe microanalysis, and Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio was obtained from X-ray fluorescence analysis. Infrared, diffuse light UV/Vis/NIR absorption, and electron spin resonance spectra are presented and discussed. A thermoelastic behavior of a powder of potassic-hastingsite was studied by in situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction. A thermal expansion and subsequent significant contraction in the unit cell volume during a high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction experiment is observed as a consequence of the deprotonation process, which is locally balanced via oxidation of Fe2+. According to the data obtained for potassic-hastingsite, these processes occur within 400–600 °C. The thermal expansion of the mineral is anisotropic; the thermal expansivity coefficients αa:αb:αc (×10−6) = −18.06:9.59:−1.09 at 400 °C, −26.15:−1.52:2.22 at 600 °C and 23.77:−25.06:42.08 at 750 °C.