zeoliterich

Zeoliterich is a descriptive term used in geology and soil science to denote rocks, sediments, or soils that contain a relatively high proportion of zeolite minerals. Zeolites are a family of hydrated aluminosilicate minerals with three-dimensional frameworks that create microporosity and enable cation exchange and water adsorption. Zeoliterich materials are not a single mineral but a composition category indicating abundant zeolite species such as clinoptilolite, mordenite, chabazite, natrolite, and analcime.

Formation and occurrence: Zeolitization commonly occurs under diagenetic to low-grade metamorphic conditions in volcanic ash–rich rocks, alkaline lacustrine environments, and hydrothermal systems. Interaction of aluminosilicate clays with alkali fluids promotes zeolite crystallization as silica and alumina restructure and cations are trapped in the framework.

Properties and implications: The porous zeolite frameworks give zeoliterich materials high specific surface area, strong ion-exchange capacity, and notable thermal stability relative to clays. In soils, zeolite richness enhances buffering, nutrient retention (notably ammonium and potassium), water-holding capacity, and contaminant adsorption. In engineering, such materials are used for wastewater treatment, gas separation, and catalysis, depending on the zeolite species present. However, some minerals like erionite pose health risks when inhaled, so handling requires appropriate safety measures.

Identification and assessment: X-ray diffraction is the primary method for confirming zeolite presence and composition; petrographic analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and electron microprobe can aid in characterizing texture and constituent minerals. In field notes, "zeoliterich" is applied relative to regional lithologies or compared to non-zeolitized horizons.