MINERAL

SEKUNDER

MINERALOGI – 13
Secondary Minerals
• A secondary mineral is one resulting from the weathering
of a primary mineral, either by an alteration in the
structure or from reprecipitation of the products of
weathering (dissolution) of a primary mineral.
• Minerals weather chemically when they react with air and
water. In these processes some minerals dissolve and
others combine with atmospheric components (mainly
water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide) to form new minerals.
• The specific reactions include solution, oxidation,
hydration, and hydrolysis.
Solution
• Carbon dioxide released from decaying organic matter and from the
atmosphere, dissolved in rainwater form the weak carbonic acid:
CO2 + H2O -> H2CO3 -> H+ + (HCO3)-

CaCO3       +      H2CO3      ->     Ca++      +          2(HCO3)-

Oxidation and hydration
• Oxidation produces iron oxide minerals (hematite and limonite) in well
aerated soils, usually in the presence of water.
• Pyroxene, amphibole, magnetite, pyrite, and olivine are most
susceptible to oxidation because they have high iron content.
• 4Fe++      +    3O2      +       6H2O  ->  2(Fe2O3 3H2O)
  Iron-rich minerals  Oxygen           Water         Limonite
Hydrolysis
• This reaction is responsible for the formation of clays.
• A typical hydrolytic reaction occurs when orthoclase feldpar reacts with acidic water to form
clay minerals, potassium ions, and silica in solution.
• The ions released form silicate minerals in the weathering process are sodium, potassium,
calcium, iron, and magnesium ions. They are carried away by rain and river waters or become
important soil nutrients.
• 2KAlSi3O8       +   2H+   +  9H2O  ->  Al2Si2O5 (OH)4     +    2K+       +    4H4SiO4
Orthoclase feldspar      acid      water          clay mineral      potassium ion   soluble silica
Hydrothermal alteration
• Hydrothermal alteration, is a general term that encompasses many processes by which
rock-forming minerals are altered due to reactions accompanying the flow of heated
aqueous fluids along fractures and grain boundaries.
• Alteration may occur through dissolution, ion exchange, replacement, precipitation and
(or) recrystallization processes.
• The most important factors in alteration include temperature, pressure, chemical
composition of the fluid, water-rock ratio, and the chemical and physical nature of the
rock.
Components of a hydrothermal circulation cell and mineral deposits.
Primary – secondary minerals
No. Primary minerals Secondary minerals
1. Volcanic glass Vermiculite
Montmorillonite
2. Olivine Limonite
Serpentine
Talc
3. Pyroxene and amphibole Vermiculite
Limonite
Serpentine
Chlorite
Talc
Epidote
4. Biotite Chlorite
Epidote
5. Plagioclase and K Feldspar Kaolinite
Halloysite
Bauxite
Illite
6. Muscovite Illite
1. Chlorite
• The chlorites are a group of phyllosilicate minerals.
• Chlorite is commonly found in igneous rocks as an alteration product of mafic
minerals such as pyroxene, amphibole, and biotite.
• Chlorite is a common mineral associated with hydrothermal ore deposits and
commonly occurs with epidote, sericite, adularia, and sulfide minerals.
• Chlorite is also a common metamorphic mineral, usually indicative of low-grade
metamorphism.
 Physical Properties of Chlorite
Chemical Classification Silicate
Color Various shades of green. Rarely yellow, white, pink, black
Streak Greenish to greenish gray
Luster Vitreous, pearly, dull
Diaphaneity Transparent, translucent, opaque
Cleavage Perfect in one direction
Mohs Hardness 2 to 3
Specific Gravity 2.6 to 3.3
Diagnostic Properties Color, hardness, foliated appearance, feels slightly greasy
A generalized formula: (X,Y)4-6(Si,Al)4O10(OH,O)8

The "X" and "Y" in the formula represent ions, which

Chemical Composition might include: Fe+2, Fe+3, Mg+2, Mn+2, Ni+2, Zn+2, Al+3,
Li+1, or Ti+4. The composition and physical properties of
chlorites vary as these ions substitute for one another in
solid solution.
Crystal System Monoclinic
Very few industrial uses. Used as a filler and as a
Uses
constituent of clay.
2. Kaolinite
• Kaolinite is a clay mineral with the chemical composition Al 2Si2O5(OH)4.
• Kaolinite clay occurs in abundance in soils that have formed from the chemical
weathering of rocks in hot, moist climates.
• Kaolinite has a soft consistency and earthy texture. It its easy to be molded or shaped,
especially when wet.
• Kaolinite is the most common clay mineral, and entire clay deposits can be composed
of this mineral.
 Characteristics of Kaolinite
Chemical Formula Al2Si2O5(OH)4
Composition Basic aluminum silicate

Color White, gray, yellow, beige. May also be darker colored brown,
orange, or reddish-brown from iron oxide impurities.
Streak White
Hardness 2 - 2.5
Crystal System Monoclinic
Crystal Forms Most often as unshaped compact masses. Crystals are 
and Aggregates microcrytalline as tiny grains and plates. Crystals are rarely visible to
the naked eye.

Transparency Opaque. Rarely translucent.

Specific Gravity 2.6
Luster Dull
Cleavage 1,1
Fracture Earthy
Tenacity Brittle, sectile
Other ID Marks Kaolinite is very friable, and can be cut and molded, especially when
wet. May also give off a clay-like odor when wet or when breathed
upon.

In Group Silicates; Phyllosilicates
Striking Features Friable habit and clay-like texture
Environment As a secondary altering mineral, usually from weathering, in igneous
, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments. Kaolinite is most
often found near the oxidized surface where it has altered from
aluminum silicates such as feldspar.
3. Limonite
• Limonite is not considered a true mineral as it lacks a definitive chemical
formula and crystal structure. However, all mineral reference guides list it
together with other minerals.
• Limonite is recognized as a mixture of related hydrated iron oxide minerals,
among them goethite, akageneite, lepidocrocite, and jarocite.
• Limonite is common and forms the coloring matter in many soils.
• It is also responsible for the coloring on the weathered surfaces of rocks.
 Characteristics of Limonite
Chemical Form FeO(OH) · nH O
ula 2

Composition Hydrous basic iron oxide, with an indefinite composition

Color
Yellow, brown, reddish-brown. Occasionally iridescent in a play of colors.
Streak Yellow to brown
Hardness 4 - 5.5
Crystal System Amorphous
Crystal Forms
Limonite does not form in crystals. It occurs amorphous in earthy, massive, 
and Aggregate
s botryoidal, mammilary stalactitic, and fibrous form. May also form as a 
pseudomorph after other minerals, especially Pyrite, Siderite, and Marcasite.

Transparency Opaque
Specific Gravit
y 2.7 - 4.5
Luster Dull, vitreous, or silky
Cleavage None
Fracture Splintery, uneven
Tenacity Brittle Limonite concretion from the spoil bank of a
Complex Tests Becomes magnetic when heated. uranium mine
In Group Oxides; Hydroxides
Striking Featur
es Color, streak, and formations
Environment As a secondary mineral formed from the alteration of iron minerals.
4. Montmorillonite
• Montmorillonite is a very soft phyllosilicate group of minerals that form when
they precipitate from water solution as microscopic crystals.
• Montmorillonite is a member of the smectite group.
• Montmorillonites are products of volcanism and hydrothermal activity and are
composed of hydrous aluminum silicates in the form of extremely small particles.
• They take up water between their layers, causing swelling, and change the
interlayer spacing according to the mineral variety.
 General characteristics of Montmorillonite
Category Phyllosilicates
Smectite group
Formula (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2·nH2O
(repeating unit)
Crystal system Monoclinic
Crystal class Prismatic 2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space group C2/m
Unit cell a = 5.19 Å, b = 9.02 Å,
c = 12.4 Å; β = 94°; Z = 2
Color White, pale pink, blue, yellow, red, green
Crystal habit compact masses of lamellar or globular
microcrystalline aggregates
Cleavage {001} perfect
Fracture Uneven
Mohs scale hardness 1–2
Luster Dull, earthy
Diaphaneity Translucent
Specific gravity 1.7-2
5. Serpentine
• The serpentine group describes a group of common rock-forming
hydrous magnesium iron phyllosilicate minerals, resulting from the
metamorphism of the minerals that are contained in ultramafic rocks.
• During hydrothermal metamorphism, olivine and pyroxene minerals are
transformed into or are replaced by serpentine minerals.
 Physical Properties of Serpentine
Chemical
Silicate
Classification
Usually various shades of green, but can be yellow,
Color
black, white, and other colors.
Streak White
Luster Greasy or waxy
Diaphaneity Translucent to opaque, rarely transparent
Cleavage Poor to perfect
Mohs Hardness Variable between 3 and 6
Specific Gravity 2.5 to 2.6
Diagnostic Properties Color, luster, fibrous habit, hardness, slippery feel
Chemical Composition (Mg,Fe,Ni,Al,Zn,Mn)2-3(Si,Al,Fe)2O5(OH)4
Crystal System Most serpentine minerals are monoclinic.
A source of asbestos, architectural stone, ornamental
Uses
stone, gem material.
6. Epidote
• Epidote is a silicate mineral that is commonly found in regionally metamorphosed rocks of low
to moderate grade.
• In these rocks, epidote is often associated with amphiboles, feldspars, quartz, and chlorite.
• It occurs as replacements of mineral grains that have been altered by metamorphism.
• It is frequently found in veins that cut granite.
• It occurs as monoclinic crystals in pegmatite.
• It is also found in massive form and as monoclinic crystals in marbles and schist that were
formed or altered through contact metamorphism.
Physical Properties of Epidote
Chemical
Silicate
Classification
Usually yellowish green to pistachio green,
Color
sometimes brownish green to black
Streak Colorless
Luster Vitreous to resinous
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent to nearly opaque
Cleavage Perfect in one direction, imperfect
Mohs Hardness 6 to 7
Specific Gravity 3.3 to 3.5
Diagnostic
Color, cleavage, specific gravity
Properties
Chemical
Ca2(Al2,Fe)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
Composition
Crystal System Monoclinic
Uses Semiprecious ge
7. Illite
• Illite is a group of closely related to non-expanding minerals.
• Illite is a secondary mineral precipitate, and an example of a phyllosilicate, or
layered aluminosilicate.
• Illite occurs as an altered product of muscovite and feldspar in weathering and
hydrothermal environments; it may be a component of sericite.
• It is common in sediments, soils, and argillaceous sedimentary rocks as well as
in some low grade metamorphic rocks.
 General characteristics of Illite
Category Mica- phyllosilicates
Formula (K,H3O)(Al,Mg,Fe)2(Si,Al)4O10[(OH)2,(H2O)]
(repeating unit)
Crystal system Monoclinic
Crystal class Prismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Color Grey-white to silvery-white, greenish-gray
Crystal habit Micaceous aggregates
Cleavage {001} Perfect
Mohs scale hardness 1 - 2
Luster Pearly to dull
Streak white
Diaphaneity Translucent
Specific gravity 2.6 - 2.9