RT Journal Article
T1 Tamarugite, NaAl(SO4)2·6H2O, as a valuable indicator of soil degradation in a Spanish coastal wetland receiving acidic leachates from spilled mine waste
A1 Fernández Caliani, Juan Carlos
AB This paper documents the first occurrence of tamarugite in a Spanish coastal wetland registered as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and discusses its origin and environmental significance. Tamarugite occurs as bladed crystals in efflorescent coatings on the topsoil of marshy areas, alongside an abandoned mining railroad. Tamarugite formation is described as a sequential process involving: (1) Oxidative dissolution of pyrite ore spilled on the former railway tracks and generation of acidic sulfate-rich waters; (2) decomposition of layer minerals under acidic conditions and release of Al3+ ions into solution; (3) interaction between acid discharges and estuarine water during flood tidal periods; and (4) precipitation of tamarugite and associated sulfate salts (sideronatrite, epsomite, pickeringite) under strongly evaporative conditions. These transient minerals have potential to release acid and associated major elements (Al, Fe, Mg, Na, S) and trace metals (e.g. Zn) into the solution causing detrimental effects. The occurrence of tamarugite is, therefore, a valuable indicator of environmental degradation in wetland ecosystems.
PB Elsevier
SN 2352-0094
YR 2023
FD 2023
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/22539
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/22539
LA eng
NO Fernández-Caliani, J. C. (2023). Tamarugite, NaAl(SO4)2·6H2O, as a valuable indicator of soil degradation in a Spanish coastal wetland receiving acidic leachates from spilled mine waste. In Geoderma Regional (Vol. 34, p. e00683). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2023.e00683
NO The author acknowledges the reviewers for their constructive comments, especially for suggesting and providing information on the classification of soils in accordance to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva / CBUA.
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 1 jun 2026