The First Occurrence of Asbestiform Magnesio-Riebeckite in Schists in the Frido Unit (Pollino Unesco Global Geopark, Southern Italy)

oleh: Salvatore Laurita, Giovanna Rizzo

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2019-08-01

Deskripsi

In this paper, new mineralogical and petrographical data of asbestiform Magnesio-riebeckite from ophiolite cropping out in the Pollino Unesco Global Geopark (southern Italy) are presented. Magnesio-riebeckite schists with HP-LT index mineral assemblage recorded metamorphic events in blueschist facies in the Frido Unit. Previous toxicological studies showed that asbestiform Magnesio-riebeckite species exhibited high carcinogenicity in previous intraperitoneal injection experiments with rats. The results have been obtained using different analytical techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and electron probe micro analysis (EPMA). Results show that all the samples contain fibrous Magnesio-riebeckite and/or prismatic, acicular crystals in aggregates. The concentration of elements in Magnesio-riebeckite crystals is: Na<sub>2</sub>O (4.12&#8722;6.26 wt%), MgO (8.22&#8722;10.87 wt%), FeO (19.07&#8722;23.81 wt%), SiO<sub>2</sub> (52.05&#8722;56.06 wt%), CaO (1.12&#8722;4.53 wt%), Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (1.34&#8722;1.93 wt%), and MnO (0.10&#8722;0.34 wt%). Magnesio-riebeckite crystals are documented in the Pollino Unesco Global Geopark for the first time. For this reason, the aim of this paper is the characterization of Magnesio-riebeckite to improve the knowledge of this mineral in the studied area, because the release of fibers into the environment is dangerous for human health.