Abstract: The occurrence and genesis of Ca(OH)2 and Mg(OH)2 deposits associated with hyperalkaline groundwater from partly serpentinized ultramafic rocks in Northern Oman is reported. Two types of Ca(OH)2 deposit are differentiated; crystalline portlandite formed by the evaporation of Ca2+-2OH− spring waters, and a form of amorphous gel, not previously known in nature. The latter is a product of present-day low-temperature serpentinization. Mg(OH)2 (brucite) in both holocrystalline and gel forms is produced by mixing of Mg2+−2HCO3− surface waters with a Ca2+-2OH− groundwater in both surface and groundwater environments. These results indicate that significant differences exist between the processes of medium- and low-temperature brucite generation.
Mineralogical Magazine; June 1984 v. 48; no. 347; p. 237-241; DOI: 10.1180/minmag.1984.048.347.07
© 1984, The Mineralogical Society
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