Anglesite (PbSO4) epitactic overgrowths and substrate-induced twinning on anhydrite (CaSO4) cleavage surfaces

Abstract

The dissolution–precipitation reactions occurring on mineral surfaces are considered an effective means to remove high amounts of dissolved toxic metals from fluid phases by precipitation of a new solid in whose structures the pollutant is immobilized. However, for these reactions to be efficient a continuous communication between the fluid and mineral phases is required. This communication can be significantly hindered when the new solid phase forms a continuous, homogeneous layer on the mineral substrate. The formation of such a layer is more likely to occur when epitactic relationships exist between the newly formed phase and the mineral substrate. Dissolved lead can be removed by interaction of the Pb-bearing aqueous solution with anhydrite (CaSO4) leading to the formation of anglesite (PbSO4). Here, the relationship between anglesite crystals and an anhydrite substrate is investigated. The three main anhydrite cleavage surfaces, (100), (010), and (001) are considered. A high density of oriented anglesite crystals growing with their (210) plane parallel to the substrate was observed on (001)Anh. The density of oriented anglesite was, however, significantly lower on (100)Anh and almost negligible on (010)Anh. Anglesite grew with its (001) plane parallel to the substrate on (100)Anh, but no evident epitactic relationship was found with (010)Anh. Differences in anglesite crystal density are explained on the grounds of structural similarities and the goodness of anglesite–anhydrite matching through the interface. Both on anhydrite (100) and (001) anglesite crystals show at least two specific orientations, which relate to each other through symmetry operators present in the substrate. The coalescence of differently oriented anglesite crystals leads to the formation of twins. This twinning phenomenon is designated as substrate-induced twinning, since the twinning law is determined by the substrate symmetry. In the particular case of anglesite growing on anhydrite (100) two different orientations have been observed, related each other through (210)Ang which act as twin plane.