Yellow crystals of orpiment (arsenic sulphide) on a sample of pyrite (iron sulphide). Orpiment forms soft,heavy,fragile crystals with a greasy lustre. It fuses easily,giving off arsenic fumes with a strong garlic smell that conceal fumes of sulphur dioxide. The mineral is deposited by hot springs but is also found around fumaroles,metamorphic dolomites and in low-temperature hydrothermal veins associated with realgar and native arsenic. Orpiment is used to remove hair in the tanning of hides and as a source of arsenic. Pyrite is the most widespread sulphide mineral | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Stammers, Sinclair |
Taille de l’image : | 3677 px × 4969 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |