Feroxyhyte is an oxide/hydroxide of iron, δ-Fe3+ O(OH). It is a hexagonal oxide/hydroxide of iron that occurs in manganese-iron nodules on the Pacific Ocean floor, reverting to goethite on exposure to surface conditions.
It was first described in 1976 for an occurrence in soils at its type locality: Kolomyya, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Ukraine.
General Information
- Category: Oxide mineral
- Formula: δ-Fe3+O(OH)
- Crystal system: Hexagonal
Fig: Feroxyhyte
Properties
Feroxyhyte crystallizes in the hexagonal system. It forms as brown rounded to concretionary masses. Feroxyhyte is opaque, magnetic, has a yellow streak, and has a relative density of 4.2.
- Formula mass: 88.85 g/mol
- Color: Brown, yellow-brown
- Crystal habit: Concretionary, massive, nodular
- Streak: Yellow
- Diaphaneity: Opaque
- Specific gravity: 4.31
- Density: 4.2
- Optical properties: Uniaxial
Occurrence
It occurs in manganese-iron nodules on the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean floors. It is also found in the Baltic, White, and Kara Seas. Forms under high-pressure conditions and reverts to goethite on exposure to surface conditions. It also occurs as cement and coatings on clasts in poorly drained soils and sediments, formed by the rapid oxidation of iron(II) oxide compounds.
Association: Lepidocrocite, goethite.
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