A framboid is a micromorphological feature common to certain sedimentary minerals, particularly pyrite (FeS2). The first known use of the term is ascribed to Rust in 1935 and is derived from the French 'framboise', meaning 'raspberry', reflecting the appearance of the structure under magnification.
Framboidal structure comprises roughly spherical aggregates of discrete equi-regular euhedral microcrystallites of around 0.5
Framboidal pyrite is commonly found in coastal sediments, for instance marsh soils, marine and estuarine sediments, and beach sands. It can also be observed in coal as well as magmatic and carbonate rocks. Other minerals known to exhibit framboidal structures include magnetite, hematite, and greigite. Greigite is considered an essential precursor of framboidal pyrite formation.
References
edit- McElnea, A. E. (2002) 'Assessing the Ability of Acid Sulfate Soil Laboratory Tests to Predict Environmental Risk and Lime Amelioration'. PhD Thesis, School of Land and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia.
- Ohfuji. H. and D. Rickard (2005) Experimental synthesis of framboids – a review. Earth-Science Reviews, 71:147-170 (Availability: ScienceDirect Database).
- Rust, G.W. (1935) Colloidal primary copper ores at Cornwall mines, southeastern Missouri. Journal of Geology, 43:398-426.
- Rickard, David (2021). Framboids. Oxford University Press.
- Wilkin, R. T. and H.L. Barnes (1997) Formation processes of framboidal pyrite. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 61(2): 323-339 (Availability: ScienceDirect Database).