Ferrierite

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Ferrierite
Ferrierite-Mg-143217.jpg
Ferrierite-Mg, Kamloops Lake, British Columbia, Canada
General
Category Tectosilicate minerals, zeolite group
Formula ("A"position)3−5Mg[Al5−7Si27.5−31O72]·18H2O
IMA symbol Frr [1]
Strunz classification 9.GD.50
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Crystal class Dipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group Immm
P21/n (Ferrierite-Na)
Identification
Colorwhite, colorless, pinkish, orange to red
Crystal habit small plates or short prismatic crystals, asbestiform needles
Mohs scale hardness3 – 3+1⁄2
Streak white
References [2] [3]

The ferrierite group of zeolite minerals (the FER structure) consists of four very similar species: ferrierite-Mg, ferrierite-Na, ferrierite-NH4 and ferrierite-K, based on the dominant cation in the A location. ferrierite-Mg and ferrierite-K are orthorhombic minerals and ferrierite-Na is monoclinic with highly variable cationic composition (Na,K)2Mg(Si,Al)18O36(OH)·9H2O. Calcium and other ions are often also present. They are found in vitreous to pearly, often radiating, spherical aggregates of thin blade-shaped transparent to translucent crystals.

Contents

Ferrierite typically occurs as an alteration mineral in basaltic rocks and in tuffaceous sediments. In North America, it is found at Kamloops Lake, BC, Canada (the original type locality) and Leavitt Lake, California. Ferrierite was named for Canadian geologist and mining engineer Walter Frederick Ferrier (1865–1950).

Synthetic ferrierite

Synthetic ferrierites have even greater cation variability and have important uses as commercial filters and ion-exchange beds.

Ferrierite-H can be used as a catalyst in the chemical industry for the acid-catalyzed skeletal isomerization of n-butenes to isobutene, the raw material for production of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). [4]

The hydrophobic all-silica ferrierite (Si-FER) has very high selectivity in the separation of alcohol–water mixtures, due to the very restrictive shape and space constraints of the FER framework type. At high pressure, Si-FER can achieve the separation of an ethanol–water liquid mixture into supramolecular blocks of its components, namely, ethanol dimer wires and water tetramer squares. [5]

Potential toxicity

Ferrierite is normally found as small plates or short prismatic crystals. However recent research found that in some locations, it grows as very thin needles or fibers. These fibrous varieties have been found in several localities, including northern Italy, Lovelock (Nevada, USA), and British Columbia (Canada). [6] [7] [8]

Scientific research into the fibrous ferrierite’s habit has become very important because of its potential health risks that could be similar to minerals like asbestos and erionite, and is strongly linked to fiber shape and size. Long, thin, durable fibers can be inhaled deep into the lungs, where they may persist and irritate lung tissue. [9]

Measurements of fibrous ferrierite from northern Italy and from the Lovelock, Nevada deposits show that many fibers fall within the “breathable/respirable” size range used for occupational health screening, meaning they are small enough to reach the lower lungs if airborne and inhaled. [10] [11] Surface studies also found that fibrous ferrierite can be chemically and physically similar to fibrous erionite, which is known to be highly carcinogenic. Researches recommended a precautionary approach when fibrous ferrierite is present until direct toxicology testing is completed. [12] [10] [11]

Ferrierite has not been formally classified as a human carcinogen, but the occurrence of naturally fibrous–asbestiform ferrierite and its respirable fiber sizes are reasons it continues to be studied for possible health effects in specific locations. [12] [10] [11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi: 10.1180/mgm.2021.43 . S2CID   235729616.
  2. ↑ Webmineral
  3. ↑ Mindat – Ferrierite-Mg
  4. ↑ Wiedemann, Sophie C. C.; Ristanović, Zoran; Whiting, Gareth T.; Reddy Marthala, V. R.; Kärger, Jörg; Weitkamp, Jens; Wels, Bas; Bruijnincx, Pieter C. A.; Weckhuysen, Bert M. (2016). "Large Ferrierite Crystals as Models for Catalyst Deactivation during Skeletal Isomerisation of Oleic Acid: Evidence for Pore Mouth Catalysis". Chemistry – A European Journal. 22 (1): 199–210. Bibcode:2016ChEuJ..22..199W. doi: 10.1002/chem.201503551 . hdl: 1874/328186 . PMID   26611940.
  5. ↑ Arletti, Rossella; Fois, Ettore; Gigli, Lara; Vezzalini, Giovanna; Quartieri, Simona; Tabacchi, Gloria (2017). "Irreversible Conversion of a Water–Ethanol Solution into an Organized Two-Dimensional Network of Alternating Supramolecular Units in a Hydrophobic Zeolite under Pressure". Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 56 (8): 2105–2109. Bibcode:2017ACIE...56.2105A. doi:10.1002/anie.201610949. hdl: 11383/2059730 . PMID   28067444.
  6. ↑ Mattioli, M.; Ballirano, P.; Pacella, A.; Cangiotti, M.; Di Lorenzo, F.; Valentini, L.; Meli, M. A.; Roselli, C.; Fagiolino, I.; Giordani, M. (2022). "Fibrous Ferrierite from Northern Italy: Mineralogical Characterization, Surface Properties, and Assessment of Potential Toxicity". Minerals. 12 (5): 626. Bibcode:2022Mine...12..626M. doi: 10.3390/min12050626 .
  7. ↑ Zoboli, A.; Di Giuseppe, D.; Baraldi, C.; Gamberini, M. C.; Malferrari, D.; Urso, G.; Lassinantti Gualtieri, M.; Bailey, M.; Gualtieri, A. F. (2019). "Characterisation of fibrous ferrierite in the rhyolitic tuffs at Lovelock, Nevada, USA". Mineralogical Magazine. 83 (4): 577–586. doi:10.1180/mgm.2019.25. hdl:11380/1182631.
  8. ↑ Giacobbe, C.; Wright, J.; Dejoie, C.; Tafforeau, P.; Berruyer, C.; Vigliaturo, R.; Gieré, R.; Gualtieri, A. F. (2019). "Depicting the crystal structure of fibrous ferrierite from British Columbia using a combined synchrotron techniques approach". Journal of Applied Crystallography. 52 (6): 1397–1408. doi:10.1107/S1600576719013980. PMC   6878881 .
  9. ↑ Gualtieri, A. F.; Gandolfi, N. B.; Passaglia, E.; Pollastri, S.; Mattioli, M.; Giordani, M.; Ottaviani, M. F.; Cangiotti, M.; Bloise, A.; Barca, D. (2018). "Is fibrous ferrierite a potential health hazard? Characterization and comparison with fibrous erionite". American Mineralogist. 103 (7): 1044–1055. Bibcode:2018AmMin.103.1044G. doi:10.2138/am-2018-6508.
  10. 1 2 3 Mattioli, M.; Ballirano, P.; Pacella, A.; Cangiotti, M.; Di Lorenzo, F.; Valentini, L.; Meli, M. A.; Roselli, C.; Fagiolino, I.; Giordani, M. (2022). "Fibrous Ferrierite from Northern Italy: Mineralogical Characterization, Surface Properties, and Assessment of Potential Toxicity". Minerals. 12 (5): 626. Bibcode:2022Mine...12..626M. doi: 10.3390/min12050626 .
  11. 1 2 3 Zoboli, A.; Di Giuseppe, D.; Baraldi, C.; Gamberini, M. C.; Malferrari, D.; Urso, G.; Lassinantti Gualtieri, M.; Bailey, M.; Gualtieri, A. F. (2019). "Characterisation of fibrous ferrierite in the rhyolitic tuffs at Lovelock, Nevada, USA". Mineralogical Magazine. 83 (4): 577–586. doi:10.1180/mgm.2019.25. hdl:11380/1182631.
  12. 1 2 Gualtieri, A. F.; Gandolfi, N. B.; Passaglia, E.; Pollastri, S.; Mattioli, M.; Giordani, M.; Ottaviani, M. F.; Cangiotti, M.; Bloise, A.; Barca, D. (2018). "Is fibrous ferrierite a potential health hazard? Characterization and comparison with fibrous erionite". American Mineralogist. 103 (7): 1044–1055. Bibcode:2018AmMin.103.1044G. doi:10.2138/am-2018-6508.


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