Spectroscopic characterization of chrysotile asbestos from different regions

Chrysotile asbestos from different geographic regions was characterized by (57)Fe Mossbauer and FT-IR spectroscopies, and FE-SEM coupled with EDS. Mossbauer spectra showed incorporation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) into the crystal structure of chrysotile. The Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratios were calculated. The Fe(II) occupied the octahedral Mg(II) positions. Broadening of Mossbauer lines corresponding to the Fe(III) doublet indicated a possible presence of Fe(III) in tetrahedral and octahedral positions. In all samples magnetite (Fe(3-x)O(4)) was found as associated mineral. Changes in the FT-IR spectra of chrysotiles were assigned to structural incorporation of metal ions, such as iron or aluminium ions. The morphology of chrysotile asbestos was inspected by FE-SEM. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.