Mineral Alterations
Chalcopyrite CuFeS2 (primary) readily alters to the secondary minerals bornite Cu5FeS4, covellite CuS and brochantite Cu4SO4(OH)6.
Galena PbS (primary) alters to secondary anglesite PbSO4 and cerussite PbCO3.
Sphalerite ZnS (primary) alters to secondary hemimorphite Zn4Si2O7(OH)2.H2O, smithsonite ZnCO3 and manganese-bearing willemite Zn2SiO4.
Pyrite FeS2 (primary) alters to secondary melanterite FeSO4.7H2O.
If the original deposits contain arsenic and phosphorus bearing minerals secondary arsenates and phosphates will be formed.
Read more about this topic: Supergene (geology)
Famous quotes containing the word alterations:
“I put the gold star up in the front window
beside the flag. Alterations is what I know
and what I did: hems, gussets and seams.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)