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Solubility of jarosite solid solutions precipitated from acid mine waters, Iron Mountain, California

January 1, 1989

Because of the common occurrence of 15 to 25 mole percent hydronium substitution on the alkali site in jarosites, it is necessary to consider the hydronium content of jarosites in any attempt at rigorous evaluation of jarosite solubility or of the saturation state of natural waters with respect to jarosite. A Gibbs free energy of 3293.5±2.1 kJ mol-1 is recommended for a jarosite solid solution of composition K.77Na.03(H3O).20Fe3(SO4)2(OH)6. Solubility determinations for a wider range of natural and synthetic jarosite solid solutions will be necessary to quantify the binary and ternary mixing parameters in the (K-Na-H3O) system. In the absence of such studies, molar volume data for endmember minerals indicate that the K-H3O substitution in jarosite is probably closer to ideal mixing than either the Na-K or Na-H3O substitution.

Publication Year 1989
Title Solubility of jarosite solid solutions precipitated from acid mine waters, Iron Mountain, California
Authors Charles N. Alpers, D. Kirk Nordstrom, J. W. Ball
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Science Geological Bulletin
Index ID 70185834
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization California Water Science Center; Toxic Substances Hydrology Program