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Mineralati

Minerals

Melanterite

melanterite

Fe²⁺SO4·7H2O

Melanterite mineral information and data

Melanterite mineral information and data — via www.dakotamatrix.com · Source

Overview

Melanterite is a mineral form of hydrous iron(II) sulfate: FeSO4·7H2O. It is the iron analogue of the copper sulfate chalcanthite. It alters to siderotil by loss of water. It is a secondary sulfate mineral which forms from the oxidation of primary sulfide minerals such as pyrite and marcasite in the near-surface environment. It often occurs as a post mine encrustation on old underground mine surfaces. It also occurs in coal and lignite seams exposed to humid air and as a rare sublimate phase around volcanic fumaroles. Associated minerals include pisanite, chalcanthite, epsomite, pickeringite, halotrichite and other sulfate minerals. It was first described in 1850.

Identification characteristics

  • Mohs hardness 2

Scientific references

  1. Melanterite — Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q410267 Link
  2. Melanterite — Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanterite Link