Weathering of stannite–kësterite [Cu2(Fe,Zn)SnS4] and the environmental mobility of the released elements

Abstract

Abstract. The sulfidic waste dumps of the historical mining sites Giftkies and Kaňk (Czech Republic) have been exposed to a temperate climate over decades. This exposure generated low-pH conditions caused by metal sulfide decomposition. Tin sulfides of the stannite–kësterite series [Cu2(Fe,Zn)SnS4] are common Sn minerals in the ores at the investigated sites. They decompose under acidic and oxidizing conditions and form in situ secondary precipitates. Compositional analyses of primary and secondary minerals were collected by electron microprobe to track the environmental mobility of the released elements during weathering. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a diffusion-driven alteration of stannite to Sn-rich chalcopyrite and the precipitation of native copper and silver from stannite. In assemblages containing arsenopyrite, an in situ and amorphous Sn–Fe–As (SFA)-rich phase precipitated close to the Sn sulfide. The SFA precipitate contains very little sulfur, which was probably released to the aqueous phase as oxidized species, whereas small amounts of Cu and Zn were captured by the SFA. This precipitate is metastable and acts as a temporaneous sink for mobile elements (Cu, Zn) and elements derived from acid-soluble silicates and phosphates (Ca, Si, Al, and P). With advanced weathering, complex redox reactions result in the precipitation of magnetite as an oxidation product of the sulfidic material under oxidative conditions. The stable minerals goethite and cassiterite mark the end of the weathering sequence and crystallized from the amorphous SFA precipitate.