Humidity-induced phase transitions of ferric sulfate minerals studied by in situ and ex situ X-ray diffraction

Phases encountered in the hydration of monoclinic and trigonal anhydrous Fe₂(SO₄)₃ and evaporation of Fe ₂(SO₄)₃ solutions at room temperature were determined using in situ and ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) under dynamic relative humidity (RH) control, at room temperature (22-25 °C). Both monoclinic and trigonal forms of Fe₂(SO₄)₃ remain anhydrous at 11 % RH or below, and undergo the following phase evolution sequence: anhydrous Fe₂(SO₄)₃ → (ferricopiapite, rhomboclase) → kornelite → paracoquimbite at RH between 33 and 53% as a function of time. Evaporation of aqueous Fe ₂(SO₄)₃ solutions at 40% < RH < 60% results in precipitation of ferricopiapite and rhomboclase during evaporation, followed by a transition to kornelite and then paracoquimbite. Evaporation at RH < 33% produced an amorphous ferric-sulfate phase. The presence of some iron sulfate hydrates and their stability under varying RH are not only determined by the final humidity level, but also the intermediate stages and hydration history (i.e., either ferricopiapite or paracoquimbite can be a stable phase at 62% RH depending on the hydration history). The sensitivity to humidity change and pathdependent transitions of ferric sulfates make them potentially valuable indicators of paleo-environmental conditions and past water activity on Mars. The phase relationships reported herein can help in understanding the diagenesis of ferric sulfate minerals, and are applicable to geochemical modeling of mineral solubility in multi-component systems, an endeavor hindered by the need for fundamental, laboratory studies of iron sulfate hydrates.