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Formula: BaFe3+3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6
Anhydrous hydrogen arsenate containing hydroxyl,
dussertite group,
alunite supergroup
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 3.75 measured, 4.09 calculated
Hardness: 3½
Colour: Green, yellow-green, bluish green; yellowish green in transmitted light.
Solubility: Soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid
Environments
Dussertite is a secondary mineral in the oxidised zone
of some base metal deposits, frequently as an alteration product of
arsenopyrite (Webmin, HOM).
Associated minerals include beudantite,
carminite,
scorodite, arseniosiderite,
stibiconite, goethite and
quartz
(Mindat, HOM).
Localities
At the type locality, Djebel Debar, Algeria, dussertite is found as crusts on spongy or lamellar
quartz
(Dana).
At the Telfer gold mine, Western Australia, micron sized dussertite coats cavities in
quartz,
associated with agardite
(AJM 12.1.37).
At Mapimi, Mexico, dussertite is always associated with the late minerals,
carminite and
arseniosiderite, and is not found in
scorodite
without one or the other of these associates. It is found either as a zone between
carminite
and scorodite, or is small, rounded masses in
arseniosiderite
(AM 22.479).
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