Abstract
In this paper, new mineralogical and petrographical data of asbestiform Magnesio-riebeckite from ophiolite cropping out in the Pollino Unesco Global Geopark (southern Italy) are presented. Magnesio-riebeckite schists with HP-LT index mineral assemblage recorded metamorphic events in blueschist facies in the Frido Unit. Previous toxicological studies showed that asbestiform Magnesio-riebeckite species exhibited high carcinogenicity in previous intraperitoneal injection experiments with rats. The results have been obtained using different analytical techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and electron probe micro analysis (EPMA). Results show that all the samples contain fibrous Magnesio-riebeckite and/or prismatic, acicular crystals in aggregates. The concentration of elements in Magnesio-riebeckite crystals is: Na2O (4.12–6.26 wt%), MgO (8.22–10.87 wt%), FeO (19.07–23.81 wt%), SiO2 (52.05–56.06 wt%), CaO (1.12–4.53 wt%), Al2O3 (1.34–1.93 wt%), and MnO (0.10–0.34 wt%). Magnesio-riebeckite crystals are documented in the Pollino Unesco Global Geopark for the first time. For this reason, the aim of this paper is the characterization of Magnesio-riebeckite to improve the knowledge of this mineral in the studied area, because the release of fibers into the environment is dangerous for human health.
Highlights
The problem of toxicity and carcinogenicity of asbestos minerals has long been discussed since the20 century, because it represents a clear consequence for human health
In addition to asbestos serpentine, tremolite, and edenite described in other works [2,4,7,28], ophiolite rocks from the Frido Unit (Pollino Unesco Global Geopark), a presence of fibrous in ophiolite rocks from the Frido Unit (Pollino Unesco Global Geopark), a presence of fibrous
Samples analyzed by optical microscopy shows that the schists cropping out close to the Mount Nandiniello area in the Pollino Unesco Global that the schists cropping out close to the Mount Nandiniello area in the Pollino Unesco Global
Summary
The problem of toxicity and carcinogenicity of asbestos minerals has long been discussed since the20 century, because it represents a clear consequence for human health. These minerals usually occur with an elongated, prismatic, acicular, or fibrous habit, which can be separable in thin fibers and can be inhaled up the respiratory tract. In Basilicata, NOA are mainly concentrated in the ophiolitic sequences cropping out in Pollino Unesco Global Geopark (southern Italy) [2,4,7]. In this area, the most common types of asbestos are serpentine and tremolite, and in a recent study, edenite [2].
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