Fibrous Ferrierite from Northern Italy: Mineralogical Characterization, Surface Properties, and Assessment of Potential Toxicity

Minerals

Ivan Fagiolino¹  Laura Valentini²  Carla Roselli²  Maria Assunta Meli²  Alessandro Pacella³  Paolo Ballirano³  Michela Cangiotti⁴  Matteo Giordani⁴  Michele Mattioli⁴  Fulvio Di Lorenzo⁵ 

[1] Centro Studi Ambientali (CSA Group), Via al Torrente 22, 47923 Rimini, Italy;Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy;Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy;Laboratory for Waste Management, Paul Scherrer Institute, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland;

关键词: fibrous ferrierite;    northern Italy;    electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR);    scanning electron microscopy (SEM);    X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD);    health hazard;   

DOI  :  10.3390/min12050626

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Nowadays, fibrous minerals pose as significant health hazards to humans, and exposure to these fibers can lead to the development of severe pulmonary diseases. This work investigated the morphology, crystal structure, chemistry, and surface activity of fibrous ferrierite recently found in northern Italy through an integrated approach using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron microprobe, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction, and electron paramagnetic resonance. Our results show that a notable amount of ferrierite fibers are breathable (average length ~22 µm, average diameter 0.9 µm, diameter-length ratio >> 1:3) and able to reach the alveolar space (average D_ae value 2.5 μm). The prevailing extra-framework cations are in the Mg > (Ca ≈ K) relationship, R is from 0.81 to 0.83, and the Si/Al ratio is high (4.2–4.8). The bond distances suggest the occurrence of some degree of Si,Al ordering, with Al showing a site-specific occupation preference T1 > T2 > T3 > T4. Ferrierite fibers show high amounts of adsorbed EPR probes, suggesting a high ability to adsorb and interact with related chemicals. According to these results, fibrous ferrierite can be considered a potential health hazard, and a precautionary approach should be applied when this material is handled. Future in vitro and in vivo tests are necessary to provide further experimental confirmation of the outcome of this work.

【 授权许可】

Unknown