Template:Short description Template:Infobox mineral
Melanterite is a mineral form of hydrous iron(II) sulfate: FeSO4·7H2O. It is the iron analogue of the copper sulfate chalcanthite. It alters to siderotil by loss of water. It is a secondary sulfate mineral which forms from the oxidation of primary sulfide minerals such as pyrite and marcasite in the near-surface environment. It often occurs as a post mine encrustation on old underground mine surfaces. It also occurs in coal and lignite seams exposed to humid air<ref name=Mindat/> and as a rare sublimate phase around volcanic fumaroles.<ref name=HBM/> Associated minerals include pisanite, chalcanthite, epsomite, pickeringite, halotrichite and other sulfate minerals.<ref name=HBM/>
It was first described in 1850.<ref name=HBM/>
GalleryEdit
- Melanterite crystal structure.png
Crystal structure of melanterite
- Cuprian Melanterite - Parys Mountain Mines, Amlwch, Isle of Anglesey, Wales, UK.jpg
Cuprian melanterite