The reduction of aqueous Au3+ by sulfide minerals and green rust phases

D. M. Heasman, D. M. Sherman, K. V. Ragnarsdottir

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The reactions of Au3+ with green rust, stibnite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite were investigated in the laboratory and the size of the gold clusters formed was measured using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The individual clusters produced were between approximately 29 Å and 77 Å in diameter and may occur individually or as composite clusters from hundreds to thousands of angstroms in size. This work shows that it is possible to form "invisible" gold through reduction of Au3+ by green rust phases and the surfaces of sulfide minerals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)725-738
Number of pages14
JournalAmerican Mineralogist
Volume88
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2003

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