Weathering of Bi-bearing tennantite

The tennantite-tetrahedrite solid-solution series [called fahlore; (Cu,Ag)6Cu4(Fe,Zn,Cu,Hg,Cd)2(Sb,As,Bi,Te)4(S,Se)13] is widespread in many geological environments. Since it incorporates heavy metals and toxic elements, a better understanding of its weathering behaviour and details of its weathering process is important to evaluate environmental risks (emerging mainly from the mobilization of As-Sb-Bi) and local and global metal fluxes in stream waters and oceans. In this study, weathering of Bi-rich members of this mineral group was investigated using microscopy, EMPA, SEM, TEM, LA-ICP-MS, Raman, μXRD, and MLA.