End-Cretaceous akaganeite as a mineral marker of Deccan volcanism in the sedimentary record.

ABSTRACT: An enigmatic chloride-rich iron (oxyhydr)oxide has been recently identified together with mercury anomalies in End-Cretaceous marine sediments coeval with the Deccan Traps eruptions. The mineral was observed in Bidart (France) and Gubbio (Italy), suggesting a widespread phenomenon. However, the exact nature and origin of this Cl-bearing mineral remained speculative. Here, we characterized the accurate composition and nanostructure of this chloride-rich phase by using micro-Raman spectroscopy, Transmission (TEM) and Scanning (SEM) Electron Microscopy on Focused Ion Beam foils. We also provide new evidence of its occurrence in Zumaia, a reference KPg section from Spain. Results confirm akaganéite (β-FeOOH) as the main phase, with chloride content of 3-5 atomic weight %. Akaganéite particles

SUBMITTER: Font E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5597636 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature