Daniel David Gregory, PhD
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.52305/ATHK9185

Part of the book: Pyrite and Pyrrhotite: Managing the Risks in Construction Materials and New Applications

Abstract

Pyrite is a common constituent of many different rock types, including sedimentary rocks. It forms predominantly in carbonaceous sedimentary rocks, though it can be found in most different types of sedimentary rock under certain circumstances. Pyrite forms via two main mechanisms, either with Fe2+ reacting with HS- or polysulfide species; which predominates depends on the pH of the depositional setting. Furthermore, pyrite can form at several different points in the history of the sediments, ranging from formation within the water column through early diagenesis (both of these will likely have S provided by bacterial sulfate reduction) to late diagenesis (S provided largely by thermochemical sulfate reduction) to subsequent overprinting by hydrothermal or metamorphic fluids. Occasionally, in low pH environments, the pyrite polymorph marcasite is found with or instead of pyrite and in rocks that have experienced upper greenschist or higher grade metamorphism, either of these FeS2 species can be altered to pyrrhotite. When exposed to the atmosphere or oxygenated groundwater, any of these species can oxidize to Fe (hydr)oxides and sulfuric acid which can cause swelling of the rock, dissolution of carbonate matrix of the rock, and release of environmentally sensitive elements (e.g., As). Pyrite texture, which affects surface area, can affect the rate of pyrite oxidation. Further, trace element components and how those trace elements are held in pyrite can affect the oxidation rate of pyrite, because some trace elements may stabilize the pyrite structure preventing oxidation while others can destabilize it increasing oxidation rate. Furthermore, pyrite oxidation rate can be increased (order of magnitude scale) by bacterial sulfate reduction.

Keywords: sedimentary pyrite, trace elements, oxidation

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