Environmental Earth Sciences

, 76:631 | Cite as

Asbestiform and non-asbestiform morphologies in a talc and vermiculite mine from the province of Córdoba (Argentina): a case study

  • Leticia Lescano
  • Francisco Locati
  • Jorge Sfragulla
  • Silvina Marfil
  • Aldo Bonalumi
  • Pedro Maiza
Original Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

In this work, a talc and vermiculite mine from the province of Córdoba (Argentina) was investigated with special emphasis on the occurrence of asbestiform and non-asbestiform phases. The meta-ultramafic rock was studied by a multimethodological approach, complementing field studies with petrographic-mineralogical, compositional and morphological analyses. Samples were examined by stereomicroscopy, polarizing light microscopy, SEM–EDS, XRD, DSC-TGA and FTIR. Complementary, compositional and textural analyses were performed with FE-SEM–EDS and EPMA. Talc-rich veins with a laminar and fibrous appearance were at first recognized. However, the fibrous morphology observed both in the field and by microscopy is due to an apparent habit because of the sample orientation. To avoid erroneous interpretations, studies by secondary electron images (SEM) are fundamental to carrying out this type of analysis. Tremolite was identified in different zones of the outcrop; however, only ~40% of the crystals located in the vermiculite zone have dimensions to be considered as asbestiform fibres in the range of respirable particles. In these types of complex deposits affected by superimposed metamorphic, igneous and deformational events, multimethodological approaches are necessary to develop models of occurrence of asbestiform morphologies that may be applicable to other with similar characteristics.

Keywords

Meta-ultramafic rock Tremolite Asbestos Talc Argentina 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Notes

Acknowledgements

This work was financed by PICT Project 2011-0153 of the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica. The authors thank ANPCYP, the Universidad Nacional del Sur, the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, the Secretaría de Minería of Córdoba, the CICTERRA (CONICET-UNC) and the Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la provincia de Buenos Aires (CGAMA-CIC) for the support provided.

References

  1. American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) (2007) Asbestos exposure: how risky is it?. American Council on Science and Health Inc, New York, p 33Google Scholar
  2. Antao VC, Larson TC, Horton DK (2012) Libby vermiculite exposure and risk of developing asbestos-related lung and pleural diseases. Curr Opin Pulm Med 18(2):161–167. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0b013e32834e897d CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Anzil PA, Guereschi AB, Martino RD (2014) Las rocas ultramáficas de las Sierras de Córdoba. In: Martino RD, Guereschi AB (eds) Geología y Recursos Naturales de la Provincia de Córdoba, Relatorio del 19º Congreso Geológico Argentino, 1st edn. Asociación Geológica Argentina, Córdoba, pp 129–150Google Scholar
  4. Barnes JD, Selverstone J, Sharp ZD (2004) Interactions between serpentinite devolatilization, metasomatism and strike-slip strain localization during deep-crustal shearing in the Eastern Alps. J Metamorph Geol 22(4):283–300. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1314.2004.00514.x CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. Berman DW (2003) Analysis and interpretation of measurements for the determination of asbestos in core samples collected at the Southdown quarry in Sparta, New Jersey. Prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. pp 1–53Google Scholar
  6. Berman DW (2010) Comparing milled fiber, Quebec ore, and textile factory dust: has another piece of the asbestos puzzle fallen into place? Crit Rev Toxicol 40(2):151–188. doi: 10.3109/10408440903349137 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. Berman DW (2011) Apples to apples: the origin and magnitude of differences in asbestos cancer risk estimates derived using varying protocols. Risk Anal 31(8):1308–1326. doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2010.01581.x CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Berman DW, Crump KS (2003) Final draft: technical support document for a protocol to assess asbestos-related risk. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA #9345.4-06Google Scholar
  9. Berman DW, Crump KS (2008) A meta-analysis of asbestos-related cancer risk that addresses fiber size and mineral type. Crit Rev Toxicol 38(S1):49–73. doi: 10.1080/10408440802273156 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. Bloise A, Critelli T, Catalano M, Apollaro C, Miriello D, Croce A, Barrese E, Liberi F, Piluso E, Rinaudo C, Belluso E (2014) Asbestos and other fibrous minerals contained in the serpentinites of the Gimigliano-Mount Reventino Unit (Calabria, S-Italy). Environ Earth Sci 71(8):3773–3786. doi: 10.1007/s12665-013-3035-2 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. Bloise A, Barca D, Gualtieri A, Pollastri S, Belluso E (2016a) Trace elements in hazardous mineral fibres. Environ Pollut 216:314–323CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Bloise A, Punturo R, Catalano M, Miriello D, Cirrincione R (2016b) Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) in rock and soil and relation with human activities: the monitoring example of selected sites in Calabria (southern Italy). Ital J Geosci 135(2):268–279. doi: 10.3301/IJG.2015.24 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. Bonalumi A, Martino R, Baldo E, Zarco J, Sfragulla JA, Carignano C, Tauber A, Kraemer P, Escayola M, Cabanillas A, Juri E, Torres, B (1999) Hoja Geológica 3166-IV. Villa Dolores. (Memoria y Mapa Geológico). SEGEMAR. Buenos Aires, Boletín 250Google Scholar
  14. Bonalumi A, Sfragulla J, Jerez D, Bertolino S, Sánchez Rial J, Carrizo E (2014) Yacimientos de minerales y rocas industriales. In: Martino RD, Guereschi AB (eds) Geología y Recursos Naturales de la Provincia de Córdoba, Relatorio del 19º Congreso Geológico Argentino, 1st edn. Asociación Geológica Argentina, Córdoba, pp 983–1023Google Scholar
  15. Boulanger G, Andujar P, Pairon J-C, Billon-Galland M-A, Dion C, Dumortier P, Brochard P, Sobaszek A, Bartsch P, Paris C, Jaurand M-C (2014) Quantification of short and long asbestos fibers to assess asbestos exposure: a review of fiber size toxicity. Environ Health 13:59. doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-13-59 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. Brown H, Sigvaldsen J, Singletary H, Lamorte M (1979) Asbestos/rock quarries—mineralogical analysis of crushed stone samples. Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Final Report, EPA-450/3-79-031, North Carolina, pp 1–166Google Scholar
  17. Case B, Abraham J, Meeker G, Pooley F, Pinkerton K (2011) Applying definitions of “asbestos” to environmental and “low-dose” exposure levels and health effects, particularly malignant mesothelioma. J Toxicol Environ Health Part B Crit Rev 14(1–4):3–39. doi: 10.1080/10937404.2011.556045 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. Chatfield EJ (2008) A procedure for quantitative description of fibrosity in amphibole minerals. In: Critical issues in monitoring asbestos, 2008 ASTM Johnson conference. ASTM International, Burlington, Vermont, July 14–July 18, 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/archive/docket099C.html
  19. Cralley LJ, Keenan RG, Kupel RE, Kinser RE, Lynch JR (1968) Characterization and solubility of metals associated with asbestos fibers. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 29:569–573CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Cuervo S (1988) Analisis multivariado de algunas manifestaciones talcosas de la Sierra de Cordoba. Trabajo Final, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (unpublished), Córdoba, p 143Google Scholar
  21. Dodson RF, Atkinson MA, Levin JL (2003) Asbestos fiber length as related to potential pathogenicity: a critical review. Am J Ind Med 44(3):291–297. doi: 10.1002/ajim.10263 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG) (2003) Report on the peer consultation workshop to discuss a proposed protocol to assess asbestos-related risk. Final report. Prepared for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, p 279Google Scholar
  23. El-Sharkawy MF (2000) Talc mineralization of ultramafic affinity in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Miner Deposita 35(4):346–363. doi: 10.1007/s001260050246 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Evans BW, Trommsdorff V (1974) Stability of enstatite + talc, and CO2-metasomatism of metaperidotite, Val d’Efra, Lepontine Alps. Am J Sci 274(3):274–296. doi: 10.2475/ajs.274.3.274 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  25. Földvári M (2011) Handbook of thermogravimetric system of minerals and its use in geological practice. Occasional papers of the Geological Institute of Hungary, vol 213. Geological Institute of Hungary, Budapest, p 180Google Scholar
  26. Giacomini F, Boerio V, Polattini S, Tiepolo M, Tribuzio R, Zanetti A (2010) Evaluating asbestos fibre concentration in metaophiolites: a case study from the Voltri Massif and Sestri-Voltaggio Zone (Liguria, NW Italy). Environ Earth Sci 61:1621–1639. doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0475-9 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  27. Gibbons W (1998) The exploitation and environmental legacy of amphibole asbestos: a late 20th century overview. Environ Geochem Health 24(4):213–230. doi: 10.1023/A:1006562102206 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  28. Gross P, deTreville RT, Tolker EB, Kaschak M, Babyak MA (1969) The pulmonary macrophage response to irritants: an attempt at quantitation. Arch Environ Occup Health 18:174–185CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  29. Gunter ME, Williams TJ, Sanchez MS, Harris KE, Bunker KL, Wyss RK, Lee RJ (2006) Amphiboles between the sheets: an interesting occurrence with even more interesting morphologies. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 38(7):114Google Scholar
  30. Gunter ME, Belluso E, Mottana A (2007) Amphiboles: environmental and health concerns. In: Hawthorne FC, Oberti R, Ventura GD, Mottana A (eds) Amphiboles: crystal chemistry, occurrence, and health issues. Reviews in mineralogy and geochemistry, vol 67, no 1, pp 453–516. doi: 10.2138/rmg.2007.67.12
  31. Gunter ME, Harris KE, Bunker KL, Wyss RK, Lee RJ (2008) Amphiboles between the sheets: observations of interesting morphologies by TEM and FESEM. Eur J Miner 20(6):1035–1041. doi: 10.1127/0935-1221/2008/0020-1872 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  32. Harington JS, Roe F (1965) Studies of carcinogenesis of asbestos fibers and their natural oils. Ann NY Acad Sci 132:439–450CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  33. Harper M (2008) 10th Anniversary critical review: naturally occurring asbestos. J Environ Monit 10(12):1394–1408. doi: 10.1039/b810541n CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  34. Harper M, Lee EG, Doorn SS, Hammond O (2008) Differentiating non-asbestiform amphibole and amphibole asbestos by size characteristics. J Occup Environ Hyg 5(12):761–770. doi: 10.1080/15459620802462290 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  35. Heller-Kallai L (2006) Thermally modified clay minerals. In: Bergaya F, Theng BKG, Lagaly G (eds) Handbook of clay science, developments in clay science, vol 1, 1st edn, Chapter 7.2. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 289–308. doi: 10.1016/S1572-4352(05)01009-3
  36. Karlsen TA, Rian E, Olesen O (2000) Overview of talc resources in the Altermark talc province, northern Norway, and possible uses of the talc ore. NGU Bull 436:93–102Google Scholar
  37. Lee RJ, Strohmeier BR, Bunker KL, Van Orden DR (2008) Naturally occurring asbestos: a recurring public policy challenge. J Hazard Mater 153(1–2):1–21. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.11.079 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  38. Lescano L, Marfil S, Maiza P, Sfragulla J, Bonalumi A (2011) Presence of asbestiform minerals in vermiculite. Province of Córdoba, Argentina. In: Environmental geosciences and engineering survey for territory protection and population safety, international conference (EngeoPro 2011), Moscú, Russia, pp 770–774Google Scholar
  39. Lescano L, Marfil S, Maiza P, Sfragulla J, Bonalumi A (2013) Amphibole in vermiculite mined in Argentina. Morphology, quantitative and chemical studies on the different phases of production and their environmental impact. Environ Earth Sci 70(4):1809–1821. doi: 10.1007/s12665-013-2268-4 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  40. Lescano L, Bonalumi A, Maiza P, Sfragulla A, Marfil S (2014) Asbestiform amphiboles in a serpentinite quarry in operation, province of Córdoba, Argentina. In: Lollino G, Manconi A, Guzzetti F, Culshaw M, Bobrowsky P, Luino F (eds) Engineering geology for society and territory—volume 5: urban geology, sustainable planning and landscape exploitation. Springer Int Pub, Torino, Italy, pp 615–618. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-09048-1_119
  41. Lippmann M (1988) Asbestos exposure indices. Environ Res 46(1):86–106. doi: 10.1016/S0013-9351(88)80061-6 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  42. Lippmann M (1994) Deposition and retention of inhaled fibres: effects on incidence of lung cancer and mesothelioma. Occup Environ Med 51(12):793–798CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  43. Lippmann M (2009) Asbestos and other mineral and vitreous fibers. In: Lippmann M (ed) Environmental toxicants: human exposures and their health effects, 3rd edn. Wiley, New Jersey, pp 395–458CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  44. Locock AJ (2014) An excel spreadsheet to classify chemical analyses of amphiboles following the IMA 2012 recommendations. Comput Geosci 62:1–11. doi: 10.1016/j.cageo.2013.09.011 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  45. Loomis D, Dement J, Richardson D, Wolf S (2010) Asbestos fibre dimensions and lung cancer mortality among workers exposed to chrysotile. Occup Environ Med 67(9):580–584. doi: 10.1136/oem.2009.050120 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  46. Marescotti P, Crispini L, Poggi E, Capponi G, Solimano M (2014) The asbestos risk in meta-ophiolitic rocks: a protocol for preliminary field and laboratory investigations during geological mapping. In: Lollino G, Manconi A, Guzzetti F, Culshaw M, Bobrowsky P, Luino F (eds) Engineering geology for society and territory—volume 5: urban geology, sustainable planning and landscape exploitation, Springer Int Pub, Torino, Italy, pp 623–626. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-09048-1_121
  47. Markowitz S (2015) Asbestos-related lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma of the pleura: selected current issues. Semin Respir Crit Care Med 36(3):334–346. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1549449 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  48. Martino RD, Guereschi AB, Anzil PA (2010) Metamorphic and tectonic evolution at 31°36′S across a deep crustal zone from the Sierra Chica of Córdoba, Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina. J S Am Earth Sci 30(1):12–28. doi: 10.1016/j.jsames.2010.07.008 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  49. Mossman BT (2008) Assessment of the pathogenic potential of asbestiform vs. nonasbestiform particulates (cleavage fragments) in in vitro (cell or organ culture) models and bioassays. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 52(1):S200–S203. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2007.10.004 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  50. Mossman BT, Lippmann M, Hesterberg TW, Kelsey KT, Barchowsky A, Bonner JC (2011) Pulmonary endpoints (lung carcinomas and asbestosis) following inhalation exposure to asbestos. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev 14(1–4):76–121. doi: 10.1080/10937404.2011.556047 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  51. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (1992) Occupational exposure to asbestos, tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite (29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926—final rules). US Department of Labor Federal Register 57(110):24310–24331Google Scholar
  52. Parry SA, Pawley AR, Jones RL, Clark SM (2007) An infrared spectroscopic study of the OH stretching frequencies of talc and 10-Å phase to 10 GPa. Am Miner 92(4):525–531. doi: 10.2138/am.2007.2211 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  53. Petit S, Martin F, Wiewiora A, De Parseval P, Decarreau A (2004) Crystal-chemistry of talc: a near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy study. Am Miner 89(2–3):319–326CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  54. Resolution N°577/1991 (1991) Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social, Argentina, Boletín oficial No 27.176 1ra Sección, pp 5–11Google Scholar
  55. Resolution N°823/2001 (2001) Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, Argentina, Boletín oficial No 29.700 1ra Sección, pp 10–11Google Scholar
  56. Resolution N°845/2000 (2000) Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, Argentina, Boletín oficial No 29.505 1ra Sección, pp 6–7Google Scholar
  57. Rigopoulos I, Tsikouras B, Pomonis P, Karipi S, Hatzipanagiotou K (2010) Quantitative analysis of asbestos fibres in ophiolitic rocks used as aggregates and hazard risk assessment for human health. Bull Geol Soc Greece 43(5):2712–2725CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  58. Rodriguez EJ (2004) Asbestos banned in Argentina. Int J Occup Environ Health 10(2):202–208. doi: 10.1179/oeh.2004.10.2.202 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  59. Ross M, Nolan RP (2003) History of asbestos discovery and use and asbestos-related disease in context with the occurrence of asbestos within ophiolite complexes. In: Dilek Y, Newcomb S (eds) Ophiolite concept and the evolution of geological thought. The Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colorado, Special paper 373, pp 447–470. doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2373-6.447
  60. Ross M, Nolan RP, Langer AM, Cooper WC (1993) Health effects of mineral dusts other than asbestos. In: Guthrie GD, Mossman BT (eds) Health effects of mineral dusts, reviews in mineralogy, chapter 12. Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC 28: 361–408Google Scholar
  61. Sanchez VC, Pietruska JR, Miselis NR, Hurt RH, Kane AB (2009) Biopersistence and potential adverse health impacts of fibrous nanomaterials: what have we learned from asbestos? WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 1(5):511–529. doi: 10.1002/wnan.41 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  62. Sfragulla JA, Moreno RS (1985) Mapa geológico minero de la mina Rosarito, Departamento Punilla. Secretaría de Minería Córdoba (unpublished)Google Scholar
  63. Stanton MF, Layard M, Tegeris A, Miller E, May M, Morgan E, Smith A (1981) Relation of particle dimension to carcinogenicity in amphibole asbestoses and other fibrous minerals. J Natl Cancer Inst 67(5):965–975. doi: 10.1093/jnci/67.5.965 Google Scholar
  64. Sullivan PA (2007) Vermiculite, respiratory disease, and asbestos exposure in Libby, Montana: update of a cohort mortality study. Environ Health Perspect 115(4):579–585. doi: 10.1289/ehp.9481 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  65. Tan H, Skinner W, Addai-Mensah J (2012) Leaching behaviour of low and high fe-substituted chlorite clay minerals at low pH. Hydrometallurgy 125–126:100–108. doi: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2012.05.015 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  66. Tsirambides A, Michailidis K (1999) An X-ray, EPMA, and oxygen isotope study of vermiculitized micas in the ultramafic rocks at Askos, Macedonia, Greece. Appl Clay Sci 14(1–3):121–140. doi: 10.1016/S0169-1317(98)00054-4 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  67. Van Gosen BS, Lowers HA, Sutley SJ, Gent CA (2004) Using the geologic setting of talc deposits as an indicator of amphibole asbestos content. Environ Geol 45(7):920–939. doi: 10.1007/s00254-003-0955-2 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  68. Vignaroli G, Rossetti F, Belardi G, Billi A (2011) Linking rock fabric to fibrous mineralisation: a basic tool for the asbestos hazard. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 11:1267–1280. doi: 10.5194/nhess-11-1267-2011 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  69. Vignaroli G, Ballirano P, Belardi G, Rossetti F (2014) Asbestos fibre identification vs. evaluation of asbestos hazard in ophiolitic rock mélanges, a case study from the Ligurian Alps (Italy). Environ Earth Sci 72(9):3679–3698. doi: 10.1007/s12665-014-3303-9 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  70. Villieras F, Yvon J, Cases JM, De Donato P, Lhote F, Baeza R (1994) Development of microporosity in clinochlore upon heating. Clays Clay Miner 42(6):679–688. doi: 10.1346/CCMN.1994.0420604 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  71. Wesolowski M (1984) Thermal decomposition of talc: a review. Thermochim Acta 78(1–3):395–421. doi: 10.1016/0040-6031(84)87165-8 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  72. Whitney DL, Evans BW (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. Am Miner 95(1):185–187. doi: 10.2138/am.2010.3371 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  73. Williams C, Dell L, Adams R, Rose T, Van Orden D (2013) State-of-the-science assessment of non-asbestos amphibole exposure: is there a cancer risk? Environ Geochem Health 35(3):357–377. doi: 10.1007/s10653-012-9500-0 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  74. World Health Organization (WHO) (1986) Asbestos and other natural mineral fibres. International programme on chemical safety. World Health Organization, Geneva. Environmental Health Criteria, 53Google Scholar
  75. Wylie AG, Candela PA (2015) Methodologies for determining the sources, characteristics, distribution, and abundance of asbestiform and nonasbestiform amphibole and serpentine in ambient air and water. J Toxicol Environ Health Part B 18(1):1–42. doi: 10.1080/10937404.2014.997945 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  76. Yavuz F, Kumral M, Karakaya N, Karakaya MÇ, Yıldırım DK (2015) A Windows program for chlorite calculation and classification. Comput Geosci 81:101–113. doi: 10.1016/j.cageo.2015.04.011 CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  • Leticia Lescano
    • 1
    • 2
  • Francisco Locati
    • 3
  • Jorge Sfragulla
    • 4
  • Silvina Marfil
    • 1
    • 2
  • Aldo Bonalumi
    • 4
  • Pedro Maiza
    • 1
  1. 1.Departamento de GeologíaUniversidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)Bahía BlancaArgentina
  2. 2.CGAMA (Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Prov. de Bs. As-UNS)Buenos AiresArgentina
  3. 3.CICTERRA (CONICET - UNC)CórdobaArgentina
  4. 4.Secretaría de Minería (Provincia de Córdoba) y Facultad de Cs. Exactas, Físicas y NaturalesUniversidad Nacional de CórdobaCórdobaArgentina

Personalised recommendations