Presence Of Gypsum Research Articles

Caracterización Geoquímica del Elemento Zinc en la Mina Toquepala y sus implicancias en el tratamiento metalúrgico

The investigation based on the implications of zinc in the metallurgical treatment of copper in the Toquepala Mine, present in this type of deposit, was based on the knowledge of the characteristics and geochemical behavior of zinc and Cu-Mo-Fe-As- Pb, starting from the definition of geological domains based on the domains of lithology, alteration, mineralization and presence of gypsum, arriving to determine that the geochemical characteristics are different in each geological domain, being more favorable in the concentration and recovery of copper, domains Geological characteristics of low zinc, iron, arsenic and lead elements, and also with the presence of gypsum / anhydrite contents. The correct determination of the parameters of the descriptive statistics of the elements Zn-Cu-Mo-Fe-As-Pb is fundamental to be able to characterize the domains and to make an optimal classification of the geological material for its shipment to the metallurgical plant. The knowledge of the spatial distribution of the zinc and the Cu-Mo-Fe-As-Pb elements gives a broader view of the location of the zones of greater concentration of each element in order to make a better estimation of mining resources.

Effect of gypsum on potassium and iron release from phlogopite to alfalfa

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated the effects of gypsum on the release rate of potassium (K) and iron (Fe) from phlogopite to alfalfa under greenhouse conditions. The medium was a mixture of quartz sand as filling material, K- and Fe-bearing micaceous mineral (phlogopite) and different levels of gypsum (0%, 2%, 5%, 12% and 25%). During the 6-month cultivation period, the pots were irrigated and/or fed with distilled water and four different nutrient solutions. The results showed statistically significant effects of different levels of gypsum on dry weight and K and Fe concentration of shoots and roots. It seems that an increase in calcium (Ca) concentration, due to the addition of gypsum, changes the equilibrium of K and Fe in the root zone and plant tissues. The results of this study show that the rate of K and Fe release from micaceous minerals is extremely reduced in the presence of gypsum.

Paleoecology of a ciénega at the Mockingbird Gap Site, Chupadera Draw, New Mexico

AbstractThe Mockingbird Gap Clovis site is a surface archaeological site located along Chupadera Draw in central New Mexico. Coring of the draw during archaeological investigation of the Clovis assemblage on the adjacent uplands revealed evidence for a regionally rare continuous, stratified depositional record beginning immediately before the Younger Dryas chronozone (YDC). Thirty sediment samples from the draw adjacent to the archaeological site were analyzed for microinvertebrates (ostracodes and mollusks) and gyrogonites (calcareous algae) to reconstruct its environmental history. Wet-dry cycles marked the presence/absence of microfossils. Based upon microfossils, this investigation highlights environmental change marked by the evolution from wetter/cooler to warmer/drier conditions at the Mockingbird Gap site and its response to climate change and groundwater fluctuations during and after the YDC. Four biofacies are recognized: the pre-Ciénega setting is sterile. Holarctic species near the base of core 08-1 indicate cooling conditions prior to 13,000 cal yr BP during the early Ciénega phase. Warmer, more saline conditions characterize the late-Ciénega biofacies between 11,000 and 10,000 cal yr BP. Presence of gypsum during formation of the post-Ciénega phase and the most salinity tolerant species after 10,000 cal yr BP is consistent with the aridification typifying the early Holocene.

Determination of materials and techniques involved in the mural paintings of San Miguel Church, Argentina

AbstractThe research conducted on the mural paintings of the dome and aisles of the San Miguel Church, Buenos Aires, Argentina, is herein described in this work. Based on the results attained from the stratigraphic analysis, the technique implemented by the architect and artist Augusto Ferrari was secco. The composition of the mortar in the majority of the samples collected was gypsum (CaSO4 · 2 H2O) and calcite (CaCO3), whereas the preparation layer was mainly characterized by the presence of gypsum and cerussite (PbCO3). In addition, the red pigments were characterized in all cases as hematite (Fe2O3) whereas orange and ochre colors were achieved by mixing chrome yellow (PbCrO4), chrome orange (PbCrO4·PbO), and gypsum and barite (BaSO4). Moreover, all the range of blue samples found in this mural paintings were characterized as lazurite (Na8 [Al6Si6O24] Sn). Finally, the gildings were composed of a superficial layer of gold of approximately 5‐μm thickness, followed by a layer of hematite and chrome yellow. The latter was also employed as a yellow pigment in all of the analyzed works of art. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the use of complementary and microdestructive spectroscopic methodologies is a very useful tool to determine not only the materiality but also the execution technique of the painting in order to assess, in an interdisciplinary approach, the future restoration and preservation strategies.

Using gypsum to control hydration kinetics of CSA cements

The effect of the kind of calcium sulfate on the hydration of CSA cements was investigated. Thermal anhydrite, gypsum and a combination of anhydrite with gypsum were used at a constant molar ratio gypsum/ye’elimite of 0.8. With gypsum, ye’elimite dissolved faster than with anhydrite. When approximately 20mass-% of anhydrite were replaced by gypsum, ye’elimite dissolution was as fast as in the system with plain gypsum. The dissolution of anhydrite was accelerated as well by the presence of gypsum. Thus the replacement of a part of the anhydrite by gypsum is able to enhance hydration kinetics and both early and late compressive strength.

Welan gum retards the hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate

This paper illustrates the retarding effects of welan gum on the hydration of C4A3$ both in the absence and presence of gypsum. By using the methods of isothermal calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry, mercury instruction porosimetry, thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy, it reveals that the hydration of C4A3$ is significantly retarded and reduced in the presence of welan gum, while the total hydration heat of C4A3$ is reduced with the rise of dose of welan gum. The retarding effect of welan gum on the hydration of C4A3$ in the absence of gypsum is much stronger than that in the presence of gypsum. The hydration product of AFm is AFm-12 at curing time longer than 1 d at the w/c ratio of 1. As a whole, welan gum will not affect the composition of hydration products of C4A3$, even though the AFm phase grains grown well and are better shaped with addition of 0.50% welan gum.

CaL2,3-edge near edge X-ray absorption fine structure of tricalcium aluminate, gypsum, and calcium (sulfo)aluminate hydrates

Author(s): Geng, G; Myers, RJ; Kilcoyne, ALD; Ha, J; Monteiro, PJM | Abstract: Tricalcium aluminate (cement clinker phase), gypsum, katoite, ettringite, and calcium monosulfoaluminate hydrate (abbreviated as kuzelite) are the major minerals in the hydration reaction of tricalcium aluminate in the presence of gypsum and have critical impacts on the kinetics and thermodynamics of early-age cement hydration mechanisms. Here, spectroscopic analysis of these minerals is conducted using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM). Their Ca L2,3-edge near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra are measured and correlated to the known Ca coordination environments. The results indicate that these minerals have unique Ca environments that can be differentiated from one another based on the intensities and positions of the absorption peaks at 346.5-348.5 and 350.5-351.5 eV. It is concluded that Ca in tricalcium aluminate (cubic and orthorhombic polymorphs) and katoite is in cubic-like coordination with negative 10Dq, whereas Ca is in an octahedral-like coordination with positive 10Dq in ettringite, gypsum, and kuzelite. For tricalcium aluminate, the Ca atoms in both polymorphs are in similar chemical environments with slightly more distortion in the orthorhombic polymorph. As a common issue in STXM experiments, absorption saturation of NEXAFS spectra is also investigated. It is demonstrated that the optical density difference between pre- and post-edge absorption levels provides a reliable indication of the sample thickness in the systems studied. The present work provides a reference for the STXM study of the calcium (sulfo)aluminate reactions in cement hydration and natural aqueous environments, and in the former case, provides a more complete understanding of a system that may serve as a low-C alternative to Portland cement.

Arsenic induced eco-physiological changes in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and protection by gypsum, a source of sulphur and calcium

World food security is threatened by low production of food grains due to adverse impacts of abiotic stressors on plant health. Metalloids, including arsenic (As), interfere with plant growth and metabolism. In recent past, As has emerged as a severe threat to animal and plant health due to its rapidly increasing concentration in the environment. The influence of gypsum (calcium sulphate, CaSO4·2H2O), a sulphur (23.3%) and calcium (18.6%) source, on As-induced stress was studied in chickpea gram (Cicer arietinum). Plants were raised in pots containing 150g Soilrite™ with following combinations of 1% (w/w) gypsum and As (50ppm): Control, Arsenic (As), 1% gypsum and 1% gypsum+50ppm As. Fifteen-days-old plants were subjected to treatments and several physiochemical parameters were studied at two different time intervals (10 and 20days after treatment, DAT). Arsenic was found to increase oxidative stress, lesser in presence of gypsum. Arsenic treatment decreased activities of SOD, GR, APX and CAT but an increase was noted in the presence of gypsum, except CAT. Gypsum greatly helped plants in acquiring higher levels of proline, ascorbate, glutathione, non-protein thiols and phytochelatins. More importantly, gypsum helped in maintenance of cellular redox during As stress. Biomass accumulation was also improved in presence of gypsum. Hence, it is clear that sulphur and calcium source (gypsum) might play either an indirect role (reducing plant As uptake) or a direct role (by strengthening the cellular defence) that might be through upregulation of S-defence pathway (glutathione, phytochelatins and non-protein thiols) for protection against As.

Geotechnical Properties of Soil from Selected Sites in Dijlah Area Sallah Al-deen Government/Northern Iraq

This study aims to find Geotechnical properties for soil in the Dijlah Area, (7) samples were taken from wells located in the area, according to the size analysis and the plasticity limits tests of that most soils are Silty soil of inorganic low plasticity of the type (ML) and the other sample (CL -ML). The results of chemical analysis showed that the percentage of gypsum ranged between (0.30% - 40.65%) and (T.D.S.) ranged between (56.14%-0.90%) that the high rates cause geometric problems on buildings and structures, While the proportion of organic matter (0.30% -0.95%) and pH values between (7.80–7.9), a somewhat acceptable values. The values of the moisture content of the soils ranged from (0.5% -3.0%) and the presence of gypsum and a collection of sample in the month of September clear effect on those values and may impact adversely on the Voids ratio and compression index, and cause in reducing the values of Cohesion and Internal Friction angle of the soil, Compression index values shown the high compressibility of soil, and the values of the Swelling index indication that the Swelling ratio is low. Soil was evaluated according to the values of the study area (O.C.R.) As excessive consolidation soil . Results showed that the X-ray diffraction test of non-clay minerals are predominant (Calcite, quartz, feldspar) and either clay minerals are (Montmorillonite, Illte, Kaolinite and Palygoroskite ( .

A Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy Study of Cubic and Orthorhombic C₃A and Their Hydration Products in the Presence of Gypsum.

This paper shows the microstructural differences and phase characterization of pure phases and hydrated products of the cubic and orthorhombic (Na-doped) polymorphs of tricalcium aluminate (C3A), which are commonly found in traditional Portland cements. Pure, anhydrous samples were characterized using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and demonstrated differences in the chemical and mineralogical composition as well as the morphology on a micro/nano-scale. C3A/gypsum blends with mass ratios of 0.2 and 1.9 were hydrated using a water/C3A ratio of 1.2, and the products obtained after three days were assessed using STXM. The hydration process and subsequent formation of calcium sulfate in the C3A/gypsum systems were identified through the changes in the LIII edge fine structure for Calcium. The results also show greater Ca LII binding energies between hydrated samples with different gypsum contents. Conversely, the hydrated samples from the cubic and orthorhombic C3A at the same amount of gypsum exhibited strong morphological differences but similar chemical environments.

In-situ reaction of the very early hydration of C3A-gypsum-sucrose system by Micro-Raman spectroscopy

This paper studied in situ, by Micro-Raman spectroscopy, the very early hydration of C3A in the presence and absence of sulphates and with sucrose as an additive. For C3A hydration in the absence of gypsum, when carbonation is not avoided, carbonate-AFm phases are formed, but in the presence of gypsum, hydroxi-AFm are the main phases. Ettringite is the AFm stable phase developed initially at 70 min of hydration with gypsum and no monosulphate is formed. In the presence of sucrose, this salt, instead of sulphate, is adsorbed over the surface of the C3A, avoiding its reaction with sulphates until sucrose desorption. Three hours are necessary to lead to ettringite formation. A nucleation poisoning/adsorption surface mechanism is proposed for added sucrose systems.

Ammonia-based ASP floods in carbonate cores containing gypsum

The amount of synthetic surfactants required for a surfactant flood can be minimized by the addition of an alkali. An alkali reduces surfactant adsorption on sandstone and carbonate rocks, and generates in-situ surfactant with acidic crude oils. Many reservoirs, especially carbonates, contain gypsum (or anhydrite), which is sparingly soluble in water. In such cases, a conventional alkali such as sodium carbonate cannot be added to alkaline-surfactant-polymer (ASP) formulations because it precipitates as CaCO3 on interacting with gypsum (or anhydrite). In this study, we test ammonia as an alkali to perform ASP floods in carbonate cores containing gypsum. The concentration of calcium ions in the presence of gypsum when ammonia is used as alkali can be as high as 2000ppm, depending on the brine salinity and composition. Therefore, surfactant and polymer selection study was performed to identify suitable candidates under high calcium concentrations. Oil recovery experiments were performed in carbonate cores containing gypsum, using ammonia as the alkali. PHREEQC, the USGS geochemical simulator, was used for reactive transport modeling and was found to be an effective tool for designing these corefloods. High pH propagation and good oil recovery was observed in the ASP coreflood performed in a carbonate core containing gypsum. Addition of sodium sulfate in injection brines decreased gypsum dissolution. Gypsum dissolution was also lower at higher temperatures and lower NaCl concentrations. The surfactant retention in the ASP coreflood using ammonia, however, was found to be about the same as that of the SP coreflood, even though a high pH propagation was observed during the ASP coreflood. A good agreement was observed between the measured concentration of the effluent ions from the corefloods and the PHREEQC simulations.

Effect of superplasticisers on the hydration process, products and microstructure of tricalcium aluminate paste in the presence of gypsum

The effects of three commonly used superplasticisers (SPs) – sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde (SNF), sulfonated acetone formaldehyde (SAF) and polycarboxylates (PCB) – on the hydration process, products and microstructure of tricalcium aluminate (C3A) pastes in the presence of gypsum were systematically investigated using isothermal calorimetry, x-ray diffraction, environmental scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and magic angle spinning–nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results show that the hydration reaction rate of C3A paste at the initial stage (0–2 h) was promoted by the incorporation of SPs, especially in the C3A–SNF paste. Hydration was rapidly reduced at the early stage (2–12 h), but an acceleration in C3A–SNF/PCB pastes occurred again at the late stage. The morphology of the C3A–SNF/SAF paste changed from thin needle-shaped crystals at the initial stages to thick and coarse rod-like crystals at late stages. In the C3A–PCB paste, very few crystals occurred at an early age, while a large amount of prismatic crystals were observed at the later age. Chemical environment studies revealed that the SPs did not visibly change the position or shape of the characteristic bands of aluminates, but only influenced their relative intensities. A predominant resonance, assigned to six-coordinated aluminium as [AlO6] type, was observed for all the pastes with and without SP. The interaction mechanism between SP and C3A was also explored.

The behaviour of consolidated Neapolitan yellow Tuff against salt weathering

Salt crystallization is a strong weathering agent in porous building materials. The crystallization pressure exerted by salt crystals, growing in confined pores, is found to be one of the main causes for damage. This paper presents the results of laboratory experimentation carried out on the Neapolitan Tuff, a pyroclastic rock largely used in Campanian architecture. Several specimens, collected from a historical quarry near the city of Naples, were treated with two different consolidating products: a suspension of nanosilica in water (Syton X30®) and ethyl silicate (Estel 1000®) dispersed in organic solvent (TEOS). Untreated and treated samples were then artificially degraded using salt crystallization tests in order to assess the effectiveness of consolidation treatments. A systematic approach, including mercury intrusion porosimetry, peeling tests and point load test, was employed to evaluate the correlation between the salt crystallization and the micro-structural features of the tuff. In addition, in order to make a correlation between porous structure of materials and susceptivity to salt crystallization, the calculation of the crystallization pressures was performed. In all samples, at the early stage of crystallization, the presence of gypsum was revealed, coming from the precipitation of sulphate ions, introduced during the test, and sodium ions, coming from the zeolites within the stone. Results showed that both consolidants increase the resistance of tuff to salt crystallization, although they induce an increase in crystallization pressure. Ethyl silicate, however, shows a better behaviour in terms of superficial cohesion, even after several degradation cycles.

Gypsum-Induced Volume Change Behavior of Stabilized Expansive Soil With Fly Ash-Lime

An attempt was made to study the efficiency of fly ash and lime on the volume change behavior of soil to mask the effect of gypsum. Swell and compressibility of soil mixed with 10 % fly ash and treated with various lime contents (0 %-6 %) in the absence and presence of 1 % gypsum after curing for different periods of up to 28 days were studied. It was established that an increase in lime content improved swell and compressibility in the soilfly ash mix but that it led to rapid swelling and increased compressibility in the presence of gypsum, particularly when the specimens were not cured. Higher amounts of lime and a longer curing period were found to be essential to conquer the adverse effect of gypsum. The behavioral changes in the swell and compressibility of both specimens, with and without gypsum, were attributed to consequent alterations in the microstructure by the formation of cementitious products and the growth of ettringite crystal. It was observed that the formation of cementitious compounds with a curing period enables to the compound to overcome the adverse effect of ettringite, leading to control of undesirable volume change behavior.

Characteristics of pristine volcanic materials: Beneficial and harmful effects and their management for restoration of agroecosystem

Eruption of Sinabung volcano in Indonesia began again in 2010 after resting for 1200years. The volcano is daily emitting ash and pyroclastic materials since September 2013 to the present, damaging agroecosystems and costing for management restoration. The objective of the study was to assess properties and impacts of pristine volcanic material depositions on soil properties and to provide management options for restoring the affected agroecosytem. Land satellite imagery was used for field studies to observe the distribution, thickness and properties of ashfall deposition. The pristine ashfall deposits and the underlying soils were sampled for mineralogical, soluble salt, chemical, physical and toxic compound analyses. Results showed that uneven distribution of rainfall at the time of violent eruption caused the areas receiving mud ashfall developed surface encrustation, which was not occur in areas receiving dry ashfall. Ashfall damaged the agroecosytem by burning vegetation, forming surface crusts, and creating soil acidity and toxicity. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses of encrustated layer indicated the presence of gypsum and jarosite minerals. Gypsum likely acted as a cementing agent in the formation of the encrustation layer with extremely low pH (2.9) and extremely high concentrations of Al, Ca and S. Encrustation is responsible for limited water infiltration and root penetration, while the extremely high concentration of Al is responsible for crop toxicity. Mud ashfall and dry ashfall deposits also greatly changed the underlying soil properties by decreasing soil pH and cation exchange capacity and by increasing exchangeable Ca, Al, and S availability. Despite damaging vegetation in the short-term, the volcanic ashfall enriched the soil in the longer term by adding nutrients like Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Si and S. Suggested management practices to help restore the agroecosystem after volcanic eruptions include: (i) the application of lime to increase soil pH, increase cation exchange capacity and decrease Al and S toxicities, (ii) the selection of crops which are tolerant to low pH and high concentrations of soluble Al and S, (iii) physically disrupting the hard surface crusts that form on some soils (if <2cm thick) to allow water infiltration and root penetration, (iv) application of N and K fertilizers, and (v) incorporation of dry ashfall into the soil (if <5cm thick) to exploit the newly deposited nutrients.

Hydration of C4AF in the presence of other phases: A synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction study

Hydration behaviour of C4AF in selected experimental conditions has been determined. C4AF has been hydrated in the absence and presence of gypsum, two polymorphs of ye’elimite and different water/solid ratios. C4AF in the presence of water hydrates to form mainly a hydrogarnet-type phase. The crystal structure of C3A0.845F0.155H6 is reported from the Rietveld analysis of its synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction pattern. The hydration of C4AF in the presence of gypsum gives AFt. However, the mixture tetracalcium aluminoferrite/gypsum/ye’elimite gives both AFt and AFm phases. C4AF hydrated with ye’elimite in the absence of gypsum gives only AFm. Ye’elimite has inhibited tetracalcium aluminoferrite hydration.

Historical materials from the post-Cistercian abbey in Kamieniec Z\u0105bkowicki (southwestern Poland)\u2014application of mineralogical methods for identification of source of raw materials

In this paper, we use a set of methods applied for geosciences to reveal the provenance of raw materials and historical aspects of technology of lime production from the post-Cistercian church (southwestern Poland). Two types of building stones (mica schists and sandstones) and two groups of mortars, related with two different construction phases (Gothic and Baroque), were used for construction of the church façade. Principal difference between binding materials involves the presence of Mg-rich phase within Baroque mortars as a result of carbonation of a dolomitic lime whereas Gothic mortars are devoid of hydromagnesite. Mineral composition of the fillers of both mortars is similar, suggesting the same origin represented by local eluvium. Binders of studied mortars are composed of calcite and/or hydromagnesite and rich in lime lumps suggesting incomplete calcination. Studied mortars are weathered which is manifested by presence of gypsum. However, there is no evidence of commonly occurring Mg-rich secondary phases within Baroque mortar probably due to higher solubility of these salts comparing to gypsum. Mineralogical study combined with archeological and geological information enables us to indicate potential sources for the studied building materials. Metamorphic rocks, prevailing within the façade, come from abandoned quarries located in the closest vicinity of the church, whereas sandstones were acquired from the deposits located at a distance of tens of kilometers from the Kamieniec Ząbkowicki. Raw materials used for lime burning were gathered from Przeworno (Gothic mortars) and Złoty Stok area (Baroque mortars) located approximately 25–30 and 12 km from studied church.

Fate of adsorbed arsenate during phase transformation of ferrihydrite in the presence of gypsum and alkaline conditions

We investigated the fate of adsorbed arsenate during phase transformation of ferrihydrite in the presence of calcium (Ca2+) and sulfate (SO42−), a condition frequently encountered in oxic mine tailings, waste rocks, and metallurgical operations. Ferrihydrite transformation under conditions that mimic those present during milling at the Key Lake uranium mine, Canada (i.e., pH, porewater chemistry, Fe/As molar ratio) was examined using batch experiments. Solid samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analyses (BET), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and X-ray absorption spectroscopic analyses (XAS). Aqueous samples were analyzed for arsenic (As) and iron (Fe) concentrations using ICP-MS. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analyses show that ferrihydrite completely transforms to hematite (with traces of goethite) after 168h of aging (75°C and pH~10). Hematite generated in the presence of As is spindle shaped, in contrast to the hexagonal or rhomb shaped morphology in the absence of As. The rate of ferrihydrite transformation is enhanced in the presence of partially dissolved gypsum (possibly due to an ionic strength effect) and the kinetics of transformation follow a logistic decay model. BET analyses suggest that the reactive surface area is reduced by ~94% by the end of the batch experiment. Despite the loss of the reactive surface area, the aqueous concentrations of As decreased from 1.4 to 0.1mg/L during 168h of aging. XAS analyses suggest the As is incorporated into the newly formed hematite via both bidentate-mononuclear and binuclear corner sharing complexes. Although this transformation is a slow process and could take years to complete, this structural incorporation mechanism could nevertheless be a relevant pathway of As sequestration in the environment.

Pigments and materials across Sardinia’s walls: contribution on the Tomba dei Pesci e delle Spighe in Cagliari

Sardinia is an ancient island where it is possible to find signs and symbols, decorative engraved and colored traces of men and history. In 1997 an ancient tomb in Cagliari has been discovered: it is located in the necropolis of Tuvixeddu, an old and spread necropolis dating from Punic to Roman times now located in the urban texture. The tomb, consisting of only one chamber, is dated by archaeologists a few centuries A.D. The name, Tomba dei Pesci e delle Spighe, is related to the painted decorations that were clearly visible on the walls and roof of the burial chamber, not so easily distinguishable anymore because of natural decay processes. Wall paintings appear severely damaged owing to the darkening of some areas, the detachments of others and a widespread presence of superficial concretions on the roof surfaces. This contribution aims to characterize pigments and the painting technique used in this burial chamber and compare them to the roman tradition. The site is confined, with evident problems of conservation because of the critical microclimatic conditions. High humidity and degradation are compromising the legibility of the decorative schemes. Samples of constituting materials and concretions have been collected and analyzed using x-rays diffraction (XRD) and IR spectroscopy (µFTIR-ATR). Preparatory layers supporting the pictorial have inorganic nature: diffractograms showed the presence of gypsum and calcite. IR spectroscopy (µFTIR) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy dispersive system (SEM-EDS) were used to investigate the nature of pigments. Samples of blue, red and yellow pigments have been investigated. Egyptian blue, cinnabar and earth pigments have been detected. Proteinaceous materials have been identified as possible binders for the pigments.