Goethite
General
Categoryoxide minerals hydroxide subgroup
Formula
(repeating unit)		α-FeO(OH)
IMA symbolGth[1]
Strunz classification4.FD.10
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H–M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPbnm
Identification
ColorYellowish to reddish to dark brown or black
Crystal habitradial acicular, mammillary, botryoidal, stalactitic, massive, as encrustation, as pseudomorph; may be banded or iridescent
CleavagePerfect {010}
FractureUneven to splintery
Mohs scale hardness5.0–5.5
LusterAdamantine to dull
StreakBrown, brownish yellow to orange yellow
Specific gravity3.3–4.3
Refractive indexOpaque to sub-translucent
FusibilityFusible at 5–5.5
SolubilityHCl soluble
Other characteristicsweakly magnetic
References[2][3][4][5]
Unusual specimen of goethite replacing a gypsum stalactite; the center is hollow. From Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Goethite (/ˈɡɜːrtaɪt/,[6][7] US also /ˈɡoʊθaɪt/[8][9]) is a mineral of the diaspore group, consisting of iron(III) oxide-hydroxide, specifically the α-polymorph. It is found in soil and other low-temperature environments such as sediment. Goethite has been well known since ancient times for its use as a pigment (brown ochre). Evidence has been found of its use in paint pigment samples taken from the caves of Lascaux in France. It was first described in 1806 based on samples found in the Hollertszug Mine in Herdorf, Germany.[4] The mineral was named after the German polymath and poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832).

Composition

Goethite is an iron oxyhydroxide containing ferric iron. It is the main component of rust and bog iron ore. Goethite's hardness ranges from 5.0 to 5.5 on the Mohs Scale, and its specific gravity varies from 3.3 to 4.3. The mineral forms prismatic needle-like crystals ("needle ironstone"[3]) but is more typically massive.[2]

Feroxyhyte and lepidocrocite are both polymorphs of the iron oxyhydroxide FeO(OH) which are stable at the pressure and temperature conditions of the Earth's surface. Although they have the same chemical formula as goethite, their different crystalline structures make them distinct minerals.[5]

Additionally, goethite has several high-pressure and high-temperature polymorphs, which may be relevant to the conditions of the Earth's interior. These include ε-FeOOH, which has an orthorhombic crystal structure,[10] a cubic pyrite-type polymorph with[11] or without losing hydrogen[12] and an ultradense hexagonal structure.[13]

Goethite has the same crystal structure as diaspore, the analogous aluminium oxide-hydroxide mineral. Oxygen and hydroxide ions form a hexagonal close-packed structure, with iron ions filling octahedral sites between the anions. The sites filled by iron ions form paired chains running the length of the crystal, with the two chains in each pair joined by hydroxide ions.[14]

Formation

A microscopic picture of Goethite (name misspelled on picture)

Goethite often forms through the weathering of other iron-rich minerals, and thus is a common component of soils, concentrated in laterite soils. nanoparticulate authigenic goethite is a common diagenetic iron oxyhydroxide in both marine and lake sediments.[15] The formation of goethite is marked by the oxidation state change of Fe2+ (ferrous) to Fe3+ (ferric), which allows for goethite to exist at surface conditions. Because of this oxidation state change, goethite is commonly seen as a pseudomorph. As iron-bearing minerals are brought to the zone of oxidation within the soil, the iron turns from iron(II) to iron(III), while the original shape of the parent mineral is retained. Common goethite pseudomorphs include pyrite, siderite, and marcasite, though any iron(II)-bearing mineral could become a goethite pseudomorph if proper conditions are met. It may also be precipitated by groundwater or in other sedimentary conditions, or form as a primary mineral in hydrothermal deposits. Goethite has also been found to be produced by the excretion processes of certain bacteria types.[16]

Distribution

Goethite is found all over the planet, usually in the form of concretions, stalactitic formations, oolites (a form consisting of tiny round grains cemented together),[4] reniform (kidney shapes) or botryoidal (globular, like bunches of grapes) accumulations. It is also a very common pseudomorph. It is frequently encountered in the swampy areas at the head of spring waters ('bog iron'), on cave floors, and on the bottom of lakes and small creeks. The boxworks or gossan resulting from the oxidation of sulfide ore deposits is formed of goethite along with other iron oxides and quartz.[17][2]

Significant deposits of goethite are found in England; Cuba; and Minnesota, Missouri, Colorado, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, in the United States.[17][2]

Deposits significant in location, if not in abundance, have been found in the Martian crater Gusev by NASA's Spirit rover, providing strong evidence for the presence of liquid water on the planet in an earlier stage of its evolution.[18]

Limpets' teeth are composed of about 80% goethite fibres of only tens of nanometers in diameter, small enough to be flaw-insensitive, which accounts for their extreme tensile strength of 3.5–6.0 GPa and elastic modulus of 120±30 GPa.[19] [20]

Usage

Its main modern use is as an iron ore, being referred to as brown iron ore.[4] Goethite is an important component of ochre pigments,[21] and has been heat-treated for use as a red pigment since Paleolithic times.[22] Iron-rich lateritic soils that have developed over serpentinite rocks in tropical climates are mined for their iron content, as well as other metals.[23]

Fine goethite specimens are rare and therefore are valued collectibles.[17] Banded or iridescent varieties are cut and polished into cabochons for jewelry making.[24]

In a royal tomb of the ancient kingdom of Phrygia, a body was found believed to be King Gordias, father of the legendary King Midas. The burial shroud had been colored with a dye containing goethite, which in its original unfaded state would have made the shroud look like it was woven from gold. Historians speculate that the legend of King Midas' golden touch might have originated from Phrygian royalty wearing clothes made from such golden-colored textiles.[25][26]

Gallery

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. ^ a b c d Hurlbut, Cornelius S.; Klein, Cornelis (1985). Manual of Mineralogy (20th ed.). Wiley. ISBN 0-471-80580-7.
  3. ^ a b Barthelmy, David (2012). "Goethite Mineral Data". Mineralogy Database. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Goethite, Mindat.org
  5. ^ a b Anthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Bladh, Kenneth W.; Nichols, Monte C. (2005). "Goethite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineral Data Publishing. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-10-09. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  6. ^ "goethite". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021.
  7. ^ "goethite". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary.
  8. ^ "goethite". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d.
  9. ^ "goethite". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.). HarperCollins.
  10. ^ Suzuki, Akio (2010). "High-pressure X-ray diffraction study of ε-FeOOH". Physics and Chemistry of Minerals. 37 (3): 153–157. Bibcode:2010PCM....37..153S. doi:10.1007/s00269-009-0319-x. S2CID 92941002.
  11. ^ Hu, Qingyang; Kim, Duckyoung; Yang, Wenge; Liuxiang, Yang; Yue, Meng; Zhang, Li; Mao, Ho-kwang (2016). "FeO2 and FeOOH under deep lower-mantle conditions and Earth's oxygen–hydrogen cycles". Nature. 534 (7606): 241–244. Bibcode:2016Natur.534..241H. doi:10.1038/nature18018. PMID 27279220. S2CID 10702618.
  12. ^ Nishi, Masayuki; Kuwayama, Yasuhiro; Tsuchiya, Jun; Tsuchiya, Taku (2017). "The pyrite-type high-pressure form of ε-FeOOH". Nature. 547 (7662): 205–208. Bibcode:2017Natur.547..205N. doi:10.1038/nature22823. PMID 28678774. S2CID 205257075.
  13. ^ Zhang, Li; Yuan, Hongsheng; Meng, Yue; Mao, Ho-kwang (2017). "Discovery of a hexagonal ultradense hydrous phase in (Fe,Al)OOH". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 547 (12): 205–208. doi:10.1073/pnas.1720510115. PMC 5866593. PMID 29507221.
  14. ^ Hurlbut & Klein 1985, p. 392.
  15. ^ Van Der Zee, Claar; Roberts, Darryl R.; Rancourt, Denis G.; Slomp, Caroline P. (2003). "Nanogoethite is the dominant reactive oxyhydroxide phase in lake and marine sediments". Geology. 31 (11): 993. Bibcode:2003Geo....31..993V. doi:10.1130/G19924.1. hdl:1874/31393. S2CID 130357956.
  16. ^ Larese-Casanova, Philip; Haderlein, Stefan B.; Kappler, Andreas (2010). "Biomineralization of lepidocrocite and goethite by nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria: Effect of pH, bicarbonate, phosphate, and humic acids". Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 74 (13): 3721–34. Bibcode:2010GeCoA..74.3721L. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2010.03.037.
  17. ^ a b c Sinkankas, John (1964). Mineralogy for amateurs. Princeton, N.J.: Van Nostrand. pp. 342–344. ISBN 0442276249.
  18. ^ Klingelhöfer, G.; DeGrave, E.; Morris, R. V.; Van Alboom, A.; de Resende, V. G.; De Souza, P. A.; Rodionov, D.; Schröder, C.; Ming, D. W.; Yen, A. (November 2005). "Mössbauer spectroscopy on Mars: goethite in the Columbia Hills at Gusev crater". Hyperfine Interactions. 166 (1–4): 549–554. Bibcode:2005HyInt.166..549K. doi:10.1007/s10751-006-9329-y. S2CID 95186141.
  19. ^ Webb, Jonathan (18 February 2015). "Limpet teeth set new strength record". BBC News: Science and Environment. BBC News. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  20. ^ Barber, Asa H.; Lu, Dun; Pugno, Nicola M. (2015-04-06). "Extreme strength observed in limpet teeth". J. R. Soc. Interface. Royal Society. 12 (105). 20141326. doi:10.1098/rsif.2014.1326. PMC 4387522. PMID 25694539.
  21. ^ Hradil, David; Grygar, Tomáš; Hradilová, Janka; Bezdička, Petr (April 2003). "Clay and iron oxide pigments in the history of painting". Applied Clay Science. 22 (5): 223–236. Bibcode:2003ApCS...22..223H. doi:10.1016/S0169-1317(03)00076-0.
  22. ^ Cavallo, G.; Fontana, F.; Gialanella, S.; Gonzato, F.; Riccardi, M. P.; Zorzin, R.; Peresani, M. (October 2018). "Heat Treatment of Mineral Pigment During the Upper Palaeolithic in North-East Italy: Heat treatment of mineral pigment during the Upper Palaeolithic". Archaeometry. 60 (5): 1045–1061. doi:10.1111/arcm.12360.
  23. ^ Frasche, Dean F. (1 May 1941). "Origin of the Surigao iron ores". Economic Geology. 36 (3): 280–305. Bibcode:1941EcGeo..36..280F. doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.36.3.280.
  24. ^ Gosse, Ralph (October 1968). "Notes on Rare and Unusual New England Gemstones". Rocks & Minerals. 43 (10): 753–756. Bibcode:1968RoMin..43..753G. doi:10.1080/00357529.1968.11765131.
  25. ^ Ballard, Mary (2012). "King Midas' Textiles and His Golden Touch". In Rose, C. Brian (ed.). The archaeology of Phrygian Gordion, royal city of Midas. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. pp. 15, 165–169. ISBN 9781934536483. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  26. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Rose, Brian. "Great Myths and Legends: The Golden Age of King Midas". Penn Museum. Retrieved 27 August 2016.

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