Publication details
Kogarkoite, Na-3(SO4)F, from the Shalo hot spring, Main Ethiopian Rift: implications for F-enrichment of thermal groundwater related to alkaline silicic volcanic rocks
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2015 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Journal of Geosciences |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.3190/jgeosci.195 |
| Field | Geology and mineralogy |
| Keywords | kogarkoite; hot spring; fluorine; silicic; Shashemene; Ethiopia |
| Description | Kogarkoite, anhydrous monoclinic sodium fluorosulphate, was identified as a white granular coagulate in the Shalo hot spring situated between the towns of Hawasa and Shashemene, in the central part of the Main Ethiopian Rift in southern Ethiopia. The mineral crystallizes together with trona, Na-3(HCO3)(CO3)center dot 2H(2)O, and opal as white stratified sinter covering the surface of rhyolite chips semi-immerged in Na-HCO3 type thermal water with temperatures of up to 96 degrees C. The determined chemical composition of kogarkoite is close to the ideal formula Na-3(SO4)F and the refined unit-cell parameters are a = 18.089(2) angstrom, b = 6.965(1) angstrom, c = 11.457(1) angstrom, beta = 107.72(1 degrees), V = 1374.4(4) angstrom(3). Increased concentrations of fluorine in groundwater were detected in the area of the rift floor of the central and northern parts of the Main Ethiopian Rift including the wider vicinity of the towns of Shashemene and Hawasa; however, this is the first described occurrence of fluorine-bearing mineral related to hot springs in Ethiopia. The presence of "free" fluorine both in cold groundwater (up to 17 mg/l) and in the Shalo hot spring (40 mg/l) is related to the prevalence of highly alkaline silicic volcanic rocks (namely pantelleritic obsidians) extremely poor in calcium and phosphorus. This prevents fixing of fluorine in apatite or in other stable minerals. |