Mineralogical characterization of zeolites present on basaltic rocks from Combia geological formation, La Pintada (Colombia)

Abstract

The present study report the presence of natural zeolites, which were found in the andesitic basalts from the Combia geological formation, municipality of La Pintada, Antioquia department (Colombia). The collected samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy with detector X-ray energy dispersive (SEM/EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized light optical microscopy (PLOM). The results shown the presence of an associated zeolites heulandite group with predominance of heulandite phase rich in calcium and potassium, with prevalence of platy habit and in a lesser extent the habit coffin type, tabular and block were also evidenced. The presence of chabazite, phillipsite and mordenite, were evidenced as minority zeolites phases. Based on the zeolites properties, the phases founded in Combia formation could be an interest materials for technological applications in areas such agriculture, catalysis or gas separation applications. Especially in Colombia this kind of mineral can be important because much of the current consumption is imported from other territories.