Dzierżanowskite, CaCu2S2 - A new natural thiocuprate from Jabel Harmun, Judean Desert, Palestine Autonomy, Israel

Irina O. Galuskina, Evgeny V. Galuskin, Krystian Prusik, Yevgeny Vapnik, Rafał Juroszek, Lidia Jezak, Mikhail Murashko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dzierżanowskite, CaCu2S2 (P3m1, a = 3.9400(4), c = 6.523(1) Å, V = 87.69(2) Å3, Z = 1), belonging to the thiocuprates,was found in larnite pseudoconglomerate rocks of the Hatrurim pyrometamorphic Complex on Jabel Harmun locality, Palestinian Autonomy, Israel. Dzierżanowskite occurrs in larnite pebbles, which are embedded into low-temperature mineral matrix. Associated minerals are larnite, brownmillerite, fluorellestadite, ye'elimite, gehlenite,periclase, ternesite, nabimusaite, vorlanite, vapnikite, fluor mayenite, fluorkyuygenite, oldhamite, jasmundite, covellite, chalcocite and pyrrhotite. Electron microprobe analyses yield an average composition of Cu 55.25, Fe 0.13, S 27.46 and Ca 16.99 wt.%, total 99.83%. The empirical formula of dzierżanowskite, based on 5 atoms, is estimated as Ca0.98Cu2.02Fe0.01S1.99. Dzierżanowskite forms grains up to 15 μm in size or rims on oldhamite and laminar intergrowths with chalcocite and covellite. Dzierżanowskite is characterized by a dark orange color, a cream streak and submetallic luster. In reflected light it is grey, with a cream tint and characteristic yellow-orange internal reflections. The calculated density of dzierżanowskite is 4.391 g cm-3. Three bands at 300, 103 and 86 cm-1 are observed in the Raman spectrum of dzierżanowskite. The strongest lines of the calculated powder diffraction pattern are [d, Å (I) hkl]: 2.358(100) 102, 1.970(93)110, 3.023(78) 011, 6.523(36) 001, 3.412(28) 100, 1.834(28) 103. Dzierżanowskite was also found in unusual jasmindite rocks, forming small "paleofumaroles" within areas of low-temperature hydrothermal rocks bearing larnite pseudoconglomerates at Jabel Harmun. Dzierżanowskite is a superimposed phase of the high temperature alteration of pyrometamorphic rocks, which were subjected to by-products (melts/fluids and gases) of pyrometamorphism originating in the deeper levels of combustion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1073-1085
Number of pages13
JournalMineralogical Magazine
Volume81
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2017

Keywords

  • CaCuS
  • Hatrurium Complex
  • Jabel Harmun
  • New mineral
  • Raman
  • Thiocuprate
  • dzierżanowskite

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geochemistry and Petrology

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