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Two-dimensional natural pyrite crystals and their formation

Z. Sawlowicz¹, A. atkiewicz¹ and E. Stefaniak²

¹ Institute of Geological Sciences, Jagiellonian University, ul. Oleandry 2a, Kraków, Poland
² Institute of Physical Chemistry, Lublin Catholic University, Lublin, Poland

^* E-mail: zbyszek{at}ing.uj.edu.pl

Two-dimensional pyrite crystals (40–80 µm wide and 2–3 µm thick) and large thin crusts are reported from the mudstones from the Carboniferous coal basin in Poland. Crystals occur on a flat surface, originally probably a crack in the rock, and are composed of uniform particles (150–200 nm wide). A hypothetical pathway of the formation of 2D pyrite crystals is presented: (1) formation of pyrite particles (or monosulphide precursors) in the suspension introduced onto the surface of the crack, and forming a film with a smooth meniscus at the air/suspension interface on the rock substrate; (2) thinning of the suspension film due to the water loss, increase of particle concentration, and formation of the first monolayers; (3) growth leading to the formation of thin crystals complying with pyrite crystallography.

KEYWORDS: two-dimensional, pyrite, uniform crystals, coal, model