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The nature of water in chalcedony and opal-C from brazilian agate geodes

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Abstract

The water species (H2O(SiOH) and H2O(mol)) of length-fast chalcedony and opal-C in Brazilian agates were studied with thermoanalytical, chemical and infrared absorption methods. Specific surfaces were measured with the BET nitrogen adsorption method and the specific densities were determined.

Chalcedony and opal-C have fully hydrated crystal surfaces at the open porosity. They contain additional water at inner surfaces, which are closed micropores in the case of opal-C and regions of accumulated defects (e.g. twinlamellae boundaries) in chalcedony. All surfaces are covered with silanole groups, hydrogen-bonded to molecular water. Additional hydroxyl groups, weakly hydrogen bonded to the structural framework within the crystallites, are located at structural point defects. Wall-lining chalcedony ranges from translucent gray to milky white bands corresponding with decreasing total water content, the H2O(SiOH)/H2O(mol)-ratio, BET-surfaces and increasing density. The H2O(SiOH)/H2O(mol)-ratio is sensitive to subsequent hydrothermal treatment and indicates a low temperature formation of chalcedony.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Mineralogie der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 4630, Bochum, West Germany

    H. Graetsch & O. W. Flörke

  2. Institut für Kristallographie der J.W. v. Goethe-Universität, Senckenberganlage 30, 6000, Frankfurt 1, West Germany

    G. Miehe

Authors
  1. H. Graetsch
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  2. O. W. Flörke
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  3. G. Miehe
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Graetsch, H., Flörke, O.W. & Miehe, G. The nature of water in chalcedony and opal-C from brazilian agate geodes. Phys Chem Minerals 12, 300–306 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00310343

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00310343

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