A CLUSTER OF "SPIDERS" ON VOLTAITE

 

At the recent Tucson event I was constantly perusing big and small and tiny displays of Perky Boxes looking for interesting minerals that I could afford. Some of the purchases were a mixed bag (in reality) of common and less common minerals with good locality/mine information but lacking names of collectors. For example, a bag of 29 Boxes with mounted micros/thumbnails for the price of $10. I figured the Perky Boxes, many with the minerals on mounting pedestals, were worth the ten bucks. Perhaps the most interesting of those minerals were crednerite (copper manganese oxide) from the Maid of Sunshine Mine in Arizona (one photo in MinDat) and wherryite (lead, copper mixed-sulfate silicate) from the famous Mammoth (Tiger) Mine in Arizona. I thought it was a good buy, even if there were four smithsonites.

However, I also picked up numerous individual specimens including a pretty, blue, doubly terminated, crystal of fluorapatite from Brazil. I nabbed on to a “one-in-the-collection” specimen of voltaite and copiapite, both ferrous-ferric sulfate minerals. This fact was interesting to me along with the tidbit that voltaite was named for Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta who invented the electric battery and is forever remembered for volts in battery and electrical terminology (more on batteries later). And thirdly, the specimen came from the Rio Tinto Mine in Spain that perhaps is the oldest major mine in the world.

Voltaite ( K₂Fe²⁺₅Fe³⁺₃Al(SO₄)₁₂ · 18H₂O) is a mixed valence iron compound containing both ferrous iron—with a 2+ oxidation state—and ferric iron--with a 3+ oxidation state.  Copiapite (Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₄(SO₄)₆(OH)₂ · 20H₂O) is also a mixed valence iron sulfate but lacks potassium.   It is one of three minerals that is a purely a ferrous-ferric sulfate. To me, voltaite looks black and almost metallic with almost vitreous luster; however. MinDat states the true color is green to greenish-black with a resinous luster (not as bright and resembles the luster on plastic). What crystals I can see on my specimen resemble cubes but are often fractured and massive. MinDat states crystals are commonly octahedral and modified by the cube and dodecahedron. Although voltaite looks “hard” it has been measured as fairly soft   ~3.00+.  

Dark black/greenish-black voltaite with light yellow-cream and hairy halotrichite crawling around. Very tiny, orange to yellow-orange globules of copiapite are scattered around. Width FOV ~3 mm.
 

This ~2.0 FOV photomicrograph is interesting. Note the more "shiny" voltaite and also in the upper left quadrant two-three light gray, almost cubic, much less lustrous crystals that may be gratonite, a lead arsenic sulfosalt (Pb₉As₄S₁₅). An even more problematic identification is the brownish-orange, cube-like crystal in the upper right quadrant that could be romerite, a mixed iron valence sulfate (Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂(SO₄)₄ · 14H₂O). However, these identifications are really above my pay grade.

A brightly colored (yellow to orange ) voltaite traveling companion is copiapite, the mixed valance iron sulfate lacking potassium. It occurs as an earthy fine-granular crust or globule that is very fragile and soft (~2.5 Mohs). Crystals are rare and certainly not visible in my specimen.

Photomicrograph of yellow-cream halotrichite, yellow orange globules of copiapite, and the dark voltaite matrix.

What makes this specimen interesting is that the voltaite and copiapite appear to be under attack by a cluster of spiders (yes cluster is the correct term). Of course, these “spiders” are really halotrichite consisting of  numerous radial or “globby” hair-like crystals that are yellowish to whitish encrustations or are scattered across the matrix. They are very soft (~1.5 Mohs) and brittle. Halotrichite is a single valance ferrous iron (2+) aluminum sulfate (FeAl₂(SO₄)₄ · 22H₂O).

Hair-like crystals of halotrichite. Width FOV ~1.5 mm.

My specimen came from the world- famous Rio Tinto Mine located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) located in the southwest part of the Iberian Peninsula, comprising part of Portugal and of the provinces of Huelva and Seville in  Spain. The IPB corresponds to an area of Devonian-Carboniferous volcanic and sedimentary rocks containing massive polymetallic sulfide deposits. This area forms an arcuate belt, about 150 miles long and up to 40 miles wide, trending westwards from near Seville in Spain to west-northwest in South Portugal. Both the eastward and westward extents of the belt are covered by Tertiary sedimentary rocks. The IBP contains the largest concentration of massive sulfide deposits in the world and more than 250 deposits are known.  Thus far the IBP has yielded more than 2000 million tons of removed ore, and has some 400 million tons of reserve for possible exploitation. However, IBP is a classic example  of the negative environmental impact caused by  long-lasting  and intensive mining development. Almost continued mining and working for 5000+years have modified the landscape and caused  a steadily increasing pollution of water resources at a regional scale. The generation of acid waters from the  erosion of  massive sulfides and mine waste washing, and the drainage of mine waters have originated  ecosystems (organisms living in extreme environments) unique in this world. The natural or environmental change created by human activity has created an environmental disaster. (Disclaimer: the above paragraph was cherry picked from an essay “constructed” by Microsoft Bing Co-Pilot AI. I suspect much is plagiarized. However, I wanted to see what the buzz was all about!).

The most important commodities (copper, sulfur, gold, silver, lead, tin, iron, and zinc) mined from the IBP were found in massive cupriferous pyrite; lead- and zinc-rich pyrite; various copper-rich ores such as chalcopyrite and covellite; disseminated type porphyry copper-rich ores; and gold/silver-rich oxidized ores associated with a goethite-limonite gossan. Today the mines are mostly in decline or closed. However, there are numerous proposals floating around asking for help to fund the next World Class Mine in the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Interestingly, coal is the leading mineral commodity mined today from Spain.

THE MOON ANCHOR MINE WITH MARICOPAITE; BUT DON'T PICK THE WHITE FLOWERS

 

During the last couple of decades, I have spent a fair amount of time in Arizona enjoying the Tucson shows, the desert, spring baseball, great southwestern food, the rock exposures and mountains, and the lack of snow removal. When I had my RV it was easy to travel and camp in many different localities around Tucson and Phoenix ranging from state parks to boondocking. We were always enamored with the County Parks (14 of them with several camping areas) in Maricopa County, the Sonoran Desert National Monument, and the next-door (Pima County) Lost Dutchman State Park.

Maricopa County is a “really, really” large county (9,224 sq, mi.) that contains the 5^th largest city in the U.S (Phoenix), five Native American reserves, several mountain ranges and Wilderness Areas, and other federal and state protected areas. It seems like a “day trip” driving east-west across the county (132 miles) or north-south (103 miles).

A few years ago (Pandemic time) I decided to explore (day excursions) a couple of the Wilderness Areas in the western part of the County (no Covid bugs out there in the open spaces). By exploring, I really mean driving slowly to gaze at the Sonoran Desert (at this stage of my life I rarely venture far off the roads by myself). I slowly motored toward the Big Horn Mountains and Hummingbird Springs Wilderness Areas located west of Phoenix but still situated in Maricopa County. The intended journey was to traverse through Sonoran Desert National Monument located in the Maricopa Mountains southwest of Phoenix and then north and northwest over to the southern part of the Gila Bend and Painted Rock Mountains. So, with plenty of water and food and a full tank of gas, off I went. I also left a detailed proposed itinerary with my spouse in Apache Junction and my brother in Tucson and a promise "not to do anything stupid."

One of Arizona’s most famous mines is the Rowley located in the northern part of the Painted Rock Mountains and a producer of magnificent blades of orange wulfenite (lead molybdate) and mimetite (lead arsenate chloride). Although commercial mining of copper, lead and other mineral commodities ceased about a century ago, the mine is patented and has consistently produced specimen minerals since that time. MinDat lists 75 valid minerals including 13 Types and several varieties of uncommon lead minerals.  Of course, the Mine is posted, and collectors must receive hard-to-obtain permission. From my point of view, that is OK since my claustrophobia does not allow explorations in mines or caves or small rooms or even large areas with crowds of people! But I could observe from a distance.

Wulfenite tab crowded with hundreds of tiny acicular mimetite crystals. Width FOV ~7 mm.

Wulfenite tabs associated with hexagonal barrel shaped mimetite crystals.
 

Solitary crystal of wulfenite with out-of-focus mimetite crystals. Wulfenite crystal ~1mm in length.

Further north in the Desert are the joined Hummingbird Springs and Big Horn Mountains Wilderness Areas located in the Big Horn Mountains. Few trails seem to enter the mountains and I was not about to get stranded or stuck in such a desolate area, but less than 60 miles from the 5^th largest city in the U.S.!

A local rockhound I met at a Tucson show told me about an old lead-silver-gold mine, the Moon Anchor, located just to the east of the Wilderness Areas. He thought that perhaps the dump was still open to rockhounds with a chance to collect maricopaite. Named after Maricopa County and with a nifty name like the Moon Anchor (perhaps the author of the name had “accidentally ingested some of the local Sacred Datura), who could resist a visit?

Open saucer-size flower of the saucer of Sacred Datura, known to western ranchers as Jimson Weed. All parts of Datura plants contain dangerous levels of anticholinergic tropane alkaloids and may be fatal if ingested by humans, livestock, or pets. Public Domain photo.

So off I went but was unable to get my vehicle to the mine due to “washouts” in the trail. As previously stated, I did not want to get stranded since my knees would not allow a long walk-about as they might have endured in the past. But all was not lost as I was able to purchase a specimen of maricopaite [Pb₇Ca₂(Si,Al)₄₈O₁₀₀-32H₂O] collected from the only known locality in the world--the Moon Anchor. Interestingly, maricopaite is a zeolite mineral, and according to MinDat, is the only known natural zeolite with lead as an essential cation. Under a scope the mineral appears as soft (~1.0--1.5 Mohs) sprays of translucent, white, acicular crystals, thin bundles of extremely elongate acicular crystals, and mats with admixed mimetite.This strange, rare, little mineral seems to pair quite nicely with the sacred Datura and the saguaro cactus.

Sprays and scattered individual maricopaite crystals. FOV ~1.8 cm.

 

Sprays and sheaths of maricopaite crystals. FOV ~1.1 cm.

For a visual description of the Moon Anchor Mine check out the you-tube video shot by Steven Cyros at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj8Xwn_s1pA

CSMS UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS

After a pause in the CSMS student research awards due to "pandemic problems," the Society is pleased to announce the 2024 program is up and running. These awards are to encourage and support original research by undergraduate students. Please see the application below. Questions may be addressed to Mike Nelson at csrockguy@yahoo.com

2024 COLORADO SPRINGS MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS

Committee Chair:  Dr. Michael Nelson

csrockguy@yahoo.com

The primary goal of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society (CSMS)) Student Research Grant Program is to promote and support original research on Colorado geology by undergraduate students. The grant program does not seek to cover all of the researcher's expenses but instead should be viewed as a professional endorsement of the research endeavor. Requests for grants are judged on how well the proposed research will advance the science of geology and its related branches within the State of Colorado. Since the grant program budget is not anticipated to be large enough to fund every research proposal, the grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. The policy for applying for and awarding grants is outlined below.

Eligibility
Undergraduate students who are undertaking original research projects on Colorado geology are eligible to apply for CSMS research grants.  CSMS research grant applicants need not be members of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society. Undergraduate students must be currently enrolled in a Colorado degree-granting institution and their research must be part of a degree program (an academic course granting credit and a grade). Institutions may not request that overhead costs be added to budgets. The Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society strongly encourages women, minorities, and people with disabilities to participate fully in this research grant program. The research proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the feasibility and scientific merit of the project, the abilities of the researcher, and the reasonableness of the budget. Students are eligible for only one CSMS Student Research Grant per degree pursued.

Research Grant Guidelines
Individual grants will not ordinarily exceed $700, although a higher sum may be awarded based on merit and number of grant applications received. One confidential letter of recommendation from the student’s research advisor is required for each grant applicant. This letter should be either sent directly to the Committee Chair via Email (csrockguy@yahoo.com) to preserve confidentiality.

Due to different schedules at different institutions, research should be scheduled to begin within 4 months of the grant award (anticipated by early May). For 2024, CSMS anticipates that research will begin during summer 2024.

Rules for the Use of CSMS Research Grant Funds
Grants are to be used for expenses directly associated with the research proposed. For example, research funds may be used for field expenses (travel, some meals, lodging), materials and supplies (sample bags, base maps, air photos, film and developing costs, etc.). Travel to professional meetings will not be funded.  CSMS will not fund research by undergraduate students that relates directly to a thesis or dissertation by a graduate student.

Funds requested for equipment, computer time and software, thin-sections, chemical and isotopic analyses, and the purchase of services must be fully justified. Research grants may not be used for salaries or tuition. Upon completion of the research, equipment and materials purchased with a CSMS research grant become the property of the department in which the student is enrolled and are expected to be available to help additional students with their research.

Responsibilities of Recipients
Grant recipients are encouraged to present their results at professional meetings as well as to publish them. In both cases, support by the CSMS should be acknowledged. Recipients who cannot undertake or complete their project must return any unused funds along with a written explanation of expenses incurred. Grants may be subject to tax by the IRS and the grant recipient and advisor are responsible for determining this point. Within 1 year of receiving their grant, all CSMS research grant recipients are expected to 1) submit a written report documenting  results of their research; the Society prefers that the grant recipient submit a short article for publication in the CSMS Pick & Pack (a newsletter; see www.csms1936.com).

Applications
A research grant application follows. The Research Grant Committee of the CSMS will review each application. The decisions of this committee are final.

COLORADO SPRINGS MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY

Student Research Grant Program Application

Please follow the format below and submit a signed application postmarked (email attachment) by the 2024 deadline:  APRIL 28

1.    Name of Applicant: 

Temporary Address:

Permanent Address:

          E-mail: 

Telephone numbers and hours that are best to reach you: 

 

2.      College/University enrolled:

          Expected degree completion date: 

          Project supervisor and address:

                   Email:

 

3.      Project title: 

 

 

4.      Statement of problem.  Please include in your statement how this work will further our understanding of Colorado Geology. 

 

 

5.      Concisely state how you plan to accomplish your investigation. 

 

 

6.      Give a brief bibliography of the most important papers related to your proposed research (no more than five). 

 

 

7.      Duration of investigation (dates): 

 

 

8.      Budget: 

 

 

9.      Budget justification: 

 

 

10.    Other support for this project, both applied for and received.  For support applied for, include dates you expect to know outcome: 

 

 

 

 

12.    Sign (electronic signature is valid) and date the submittal:

 

                   

Signature  

Date

 

Please send completed application, via Email attachment to: csrockguy@yahoo,com