Abstract
Recent measurements are reported here of the Mössbauer spectra of selected fayalites (members of the olivine group) from various localities, which indicate large amounts of iron(III) in several of the samples. These features in the spectra are not attributable to magnetite or haematite contamination, but are due to Fe3+ ions contained in the fayalite crystal structure. Such data are contrary to the generally held belief that fayalite is incapable of accommodating much iron(III) in its crystal structure. This discovery may have severe implications for the thermodynamics of the FeO–SiO2 system, as well as for the thermal conductivity of olivine.
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Schaefer, M. Measurements of iron(III)-rich fayalites. Nature 303, 325–327 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/303325a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/303325a0
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