Environmental controls of pyrite texture development from aqueous solutions at 25 - 160C; an experimental study

Abstract

This paper reports an experimental investigation of the origin of pyrite textures using a variety of experimental methods and a range of chemical and hydrodynamic conditions to investigate the divergence of pyrite morphologies and their formation environments. A wide range of pyrite textures are experimentally produced from a small change in formation environments. The most important factors that control pyrite morphology are the degree of supersaturation and hydrodynamics in the system. In this study the solution supersaturation was controlled by pH-Eh conditions and more directly by activity of polysulphide species enhanced by the addition of S or O2.