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Polyhalite
Polyhalite
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Polyhalite
Museum specimen of polyhalite and anhydrite
General
CategorySulfate mineral
FormulaK2Ca2Mg(SO4)4·2H2O
IMA symbolPlhl[1]
Strunz classification7.CC.65
Crystal systemTriclinic
Crystal classPinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupF1
Unit cella = 6.95 Å, b = 8.88 Å,
c = 6.95 Å; α = 104.06°,
β = 113.94°, γ = 101.15°; Z = 4
Identification
ColorColorless, white, gray; often salmon-pink to brick-red from included iron oxide
Crystal habitTypically fibrous, foliated, massive; rarely as tabular crystals; pseudo-orthorhombic
TwinningCharacteristically polysynthetic on {010}, {100}
CleavagePerfect on {101}; parting on {010}
FractureConchoidal
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness3.5
LusterVitreous to resinous
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity2.78
Optical propertiesBiaxial (−)
Refractive indexnα = 1.546 – 1.548 nβ = 1.558 – 1.562 nγ = 1.567
Birefringenceδ = 0.021
2V angleMeasured: 60° to 62°
SolubilitySoluble in water, with precipitation of gypsum and perhaps syngenite
References[2][3][4]

Polyhalite is an evaporite mineral, a hydrated sulfate of potassium, calcium and magnesium with formula: K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4·2H2O. Polyhalite crystallizes in the triclinic system, although crystals are very rare. The normal habit is massive to fibrous. It is typically colorless, white to gray, although it may be brick red due to iron oxide inclusions. It has a Mohs hardness of 3.5 and a specific gravity of 2.8. It is used as a valuable fertilizer.

Polyhalite was first described in 1818 for specimens from its type locality in Salzburg, Austria.[2] It occurs in sedimentary marine evaporites and is a major potassium ore mineral in the Carlsbad deposits of New Mexico. It is also present as a 2–3% contaminant of Himalayan salt. The only deposit currently being mined lies under North Yorkshire, UK, extending under the adjacent North Sea.

Name

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The name comes from the German Polyhalit, which comes from the Ancient Greek words πολύς (polys) and ἅλς (hals), which mean "many" and "salt", and the German ending -it (which comes from the Latin ending -ites, which originally also came from Greek), which is used like the English ending -ite to form the names of certain chemical compounds.[5][4]

Despite the similarity in names between polyhalite and halite (the naturally occurring form of table salt), their only connection is that both are evaporite minerals. The use of the Greek words for many and salt in polyhalite is due to polyhalite consisting of several metals that can form salts in the more general sense of the word salt used in chemistry.

Extraction

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The only polyhalite mined in the world comes from a layer of rock over 1,000 m (3,300 ft) below North Yorkshire and extending off the North Sea coast in the UK, deposited 260 million years ago.

In 2010, the first mining operations of this polyhalite mineral layer commenced at Boulby Mine, and the mine is in 2023 the only producer of polyhalite, marketed by ICL Group Ltd. as Polysulphate. In 2016, Sirius Minerals announced plans for the Woodsmith Mine in the area.[6] In March 2020, the Woodsmith project was taken over by Anglo American plc and construction of two 1,500 m (4,900 ft) shafts to reach the 70 m (230 ft) mineral seam was underway in 2015. These will reach a mineable area of around 25,200 ha (62,000 acres) and Woodsmith Mine will be the deepest in Europe.[7] The Woodsmith project was originally slated to begin production in 2027; development has since been slowed, and Anglo American now expects to ramp up construction from 2027, with a new first production date yet to be announced.[8][9][10]

Composition and use

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Polyhalite is used as a fertilizer since it contains four important nutrients and is low in chloride:

  • 48% SO3 as sulfate
  • 14% K2O as from sulfate of potash
  • 6% MgO as from magnesium sulfate
  • 17% CaO as from calcium sulfate

Polyhalite has a variety of other uses, including:

Soil amendment: Polyhalite can help to improve the drainage and fertility of soil. It can also help to reduce the acidity of soil.

Water treatment additive: Polyhalite can help to remove impurities from water, such as sulfates and chlorides. It can also help to soften water and make it less corrosive.

Animal feed additive: Polyhalite can be added to animal feed to improve the nutritional value of the feed.

Industrial applications: Polyhale can be used in a variety of industrial applications, such as making glass, soap, and paper.

Crystal structure of polyhalite

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Polyhalite is an consisting of a hydrated of , calcium, and magnesium, with the K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄·2H₂O. It typically forms colorless to pink fibrous or tabular crystals in marine evaporite deposits and serves as a natural source of multiple essential plant nutrients, including approximately 14% K₂O, 17% CaO, 6% MgO, and 48% SO₃. In terms of physical properties, polyhalite crystallizes in the triclinic system and exhibits a vitreous to resinous luster, with colors ranging from colorless and white to pink, red, or gray in transmitted light. It has a Mohs hardness of 2½ to 3½, a specific of 2.78, perfect cleavage on {101}, and is transparent to translucent. Geologically, polyhalite primarily occurs in oceanic salt deposits formed through the evaporation of ancient , often interlayered with , , and other evaporites in Permian-aged basins such as the Zechstein sequence of and the Delaware Basin of Texas-New , as well as Triassic deposits in . As a , polyhalite provides balanced macronutrients with slow-release properties and low content. Historically extracted from deposits, it is now mined for its multi-nutrient benefits, with major production from sites like the in .

Physical and Chemical Properties

Crystal structure and morphology

Polyhalite crystallizes in the with P1. The unit cell parameters are a = 6.975 , b = 6.984 , c = 8.899 , α = 104.01°, β = 101.19°, γ = 114.10°, and Z = 1. The structure features K and Ca coordination polyhedra along with [MgO₄(H₂O)₂] octahedra that share edges and faces, while SO₄ tetrahedra link to these polyhedra via shared edges. Crystals of polyhalite are rare and typically occur as small tabular forms on {010} or prismatic elongations along , reaching up to 2 mm in size, sometimes exhibiting complex morphology with up to 28 forms. More commonly, it forms in massive, fibrous, or foliated aggregates. The mineral displays color variations including colorless, white, gray, pink, or red, with the latter hues often resulting from iron oxide inclusions; it appears colorless in transmitted light. Polyhalite exhibits a vitreous to resinous luster and is transparent to translucent. It shows perfect cleavage on {101} and distinct parting on {010}. The has brittle tenacity and displays a .

Physical characteristics

Polyhalite exhibits a Mohs of 3.5, rendering it relatively soft and susceptible to scratching by a copper . Its specific gravity is 2.78 g/cm³ (measured), reflecting a moderate typical among minerals. In terms of , polyhalite is biaxial negative, with refractive indices ranging from nα = 1.546–1.548, nβ = 1.558–1.562, and nγ = 1.567, yielding a of 0.019–0.021. It displays common lamellar twinning on {010} and {100}, often appearing as polysynthetic lamellae that aid in its identification under polarized light. Polyhalite is moderately soluble in , with a of approximately 2.6 g/100 mL at 25°C, and this value increases with temperature. Upon evaporation of its solutions, it decomposes, precipitating and possibly syngenite.

Chemical composition

Polyhalite is a hydrated composed primarily of , calcium, and magnesium, with the ideal K₂Ca₂Mg()₄·2H₂O. This formula reflects its structure as a double incorporating two molecules of of hydration, distinguishing it from related sulfates. The elemental composition of polyhalite, typically reported on an basis for mineralogical and industrial analyses, includes approximately 48% SO₃, 14% K₂O (equivalent to 11.6% K), 6% MgO (equivalent to 3.6% Mg), and 17% CaO (equivalent to 12.2% Ca) by weight. These values represent the content in high-purity deposits and can vary slightly depending on the geological source, with theoretical calculations yielding SO₃ up to 53%, K₂O around 15.6%, CaO about 18.7%, and MgO near 6.6%. accounts for roughly 6% as H₂O. Under normal atmospheric conditions, polyhalite exhibits good stability and is not deliquescent, though it is soluble in , where it dissociates to yield and potentially syngenite. Thermally, it remains intact below 200°C but undergoes and starting around 233°C (506 K), releasing and transforming into (CaSO₄) along with langbeinite solid solutions such as K₂SO₄·2MgSO₄ and K₂SO₄·2CaSO₄. In certain natural specimens, minor isomorphous substitutions can occur, including partial replacement of by sodium or magnesium by iron, though these variations are limited and do not significantly alter the overall structure.

Geological Occurrence and Formation

Formation processes

primarily forms as an evaporite within marine basins, where the sequential of in restricted environments concentrates dissolved ions to the point of mineral . This process occurs in hypersaline waters that evolve through stages of increasing , typically following the deposition of and preceding the formation of more soluble potassium-magnesium salts. The mineral's deposition is most prominent during the Late Permian period, around 258 to 252 million years ago, in the Zechstein Sea—a vast, shallow epicontinental spanning that experienced episodic isolation from the open ocean. In this setting, polyhalite accumulated as part of cyclic sequences within the Zechstein Group, particularly in the Werra and adjacent formations. Essential conditions for polyhalite formation include a hot, arid that promotes rapid , coupled with restricted basin circulation that prevents dilution by normal influx. These factors lead to brine concentrations exceeding 70 times modern salinity, enabling sulfate and the influx of - and magnesium-enriched fluids from nearby salt pans or further . Polyhalite often develops diagenetically through the replacement of precursor or by these evolved brines, a facilitated by syndepositional and in the sulfate platform margins. In these evaporite systems, is commonly interbedded with , , and , reflecting fluctuations in density and proximity to sulfate platforms. It may also associate with salts like in overlying layers, as the final stages of evaporation yield more complex chloride-sulfate assemblages. Stable isotope data from such deposits, including δ³⁴S values of 10–12‰ and δ¹⁸O of 10–14‰, confirm a marine origin for the precipitating fluids.

Major deposits and distribution

Polyhalite occurs predominantly in ancient evaporite sequences from the Permian period, with significant concentrations in marine basin deposits formed under arid conditions. The most economically viable reserves are located in the Zechstein Basin of and the Delaware Basin of the . In the Zechstein Basin, particularly in , , the Woodsmith deposit hosts an estimated resource exceeding 2.5 billion metric tons of polyhalite, making it one of the world's largest known accumulations. This deposit lies within the Upper Permian Zechstein evaporites, at depths of approximately 1,500 meters. Similarly, in the Delaware Basin near , , polyhalite is abundant within the Ochoan Series (Salado Formation), forming widespread layers in the Rustler and Castile evaporites, though commercial extraction has focused more on associated minerals. Beyond these primary sites, polyhalite appears in other settings globally. In the Zechstein Basin extension at Stassfurt, , it is documented in potash mines such as Leopoldshall, where it occurs alongside and other sulfates in the Upper Permian sequence. In , , Messinian-age polyhalite is present in the Realmonte Mine within the Gessoso-Solfifera Formation, forming fibrous aggregates in -dominated evaporites. Minor occurrences include 2-3% polyhalite as a contaminant in Himalayan rock salt deposits from the Punjab region of , derived from Tertiary evaporites. Recent discoveries have identified polyhalite in the evaporites of the , , and potential resources in Canadian potash formations in , highlighting emerging exploration interest in these regions. Deposit characteristics vary by basin but generally feature polyhalite in thick, laterally extensive beds embedded within potash-bearing evaporite sequences. These beds can reach thicknesses up to 100 meters, often interbedded with , , and sylvinite ores, where polyhalite appears as massive layers, disseminated crystals, or replacement textures in sulfate platforms. Such configurations enhance its economic potential as a low-chloride potassium source, particularly in undisturbed basin centers.

History and Discovery

Initial description

Polyhalite was first described in 1818 by the German chemist Friedrich Stromeyer based on specimens from the salt mine at Bad Ischl-Perneck in , which serves as the mineral's type locality. Stromeyer's analysis identified it as a novel mineral occurring in association with and deposits. The name polyhalite derives from the Greek words "poly" meaning "many" and "hals" meaning "salt," alluding to its complex composition involving multiple cations including potassium, calcium, and magnesium in a sulfate framework. Early chemical examinations, including Stromeyer's initial work, confirmed its nature as a hydrated sulfate mineral, distinguishing it from simpler salts in the same evaporite sequences. In the , further studies by chemists such as Wilhelm Haidinger explored its physical properties, including in and typical fibrous or massive habits when found alongside other evaporites like and . By the 1840s, polyhalite was firmly classified as a mineral within mineralogical systems, with Haidinger's 1847 observations on related Alpine evaporite pseudomorphs reinforcing its diagenetic associations. No formal synonyms exist, though early texts occasionally conflated it with similar multi-component sulfates due to compositional overlaps.

Development of commercial mining

In the early , polyhalite was recognized as a potential source of in the United States, particularly within the Carlsbad potash district in southeastern , where deposits were identified in the Permian-age Salado Formation. Commercial in the district began in the 1930s, with polyhalite occurring as a significant component of the alongside and langbeinite; it served primarily as a in the production of of () fertilizers during the first half of the century, before economic focus shifted to more readily extractable minerals. Developments in the marked a resurgence in targeted polyhalite extraction. At the in , operated by the ICL Group, exploratory drilling reached the main polyhalite seam in September 2010, enabling the initiation of mining operations for the mineral, which is processed and marketed as the low-chloride fertilizer Polysulphate. Commercial production commenced in April 2011, with initial output focused on establishing market viability for this multi-nutrient resource containing , calcium, magnesium, and . More recent projects underscore the growing scale of polyhalite mining. The , developed by Anglo American in , received planning permission from the North York Moors Authority in 2015, paving the way for construction of what will be Europe's deepest mine at approximately 1.4 kilometers. Shaft began in 2017, with ongoing advancements in excavation and tunneling; first ore output is projected for the late following delays and a 2024 writedown, targeting an annual capacity of up to 20 million tonnes to meet rising demand for sustainable fertilizers. Post-2000, global interest in polyhalite has surged due to increasing for low-chloride fertilizers suitable for chloride-sensitive crops, driving and development beyond traditional operations. Production has expanded from negligible levels to approximately 1.2 million tonnes per year as of 2023, primarily from the and US operations like , with further growth anticipated from new sites like Woodsmith to support amid tightening supplies of conventional sources.

Extraction and Processing

Mining operations

Polyhalite extraction primarily relies on underground room-and-pillar methods within sequences, which enable the creation of stable pillars to support the overlying rock while removing ore in targeted rooms. This technique is modified for polyhalite deposits to facilitate selective , minimizing contamination from interbedded minerals like sylvinite or through precise seam targeting and segregation during extraction. A prominent example is the in , , the world's only operational polyhalite mine, which employs conventional vertical shaft access via two shafts—one for hoisting and salt, the other for personnel and services—combined with conveyor systems for material transport. Operations occur at depths of approximately 1,100 to 1,400 meters, where challenges include potential water ingress from overlying aquifers, from excavation, and hazardous gas releases such as high-pressure pockets. A notable incident in 2016 at Boulby involved a and blowout that resulted in a fatality, underscoring the risks of gas outbursts in these formations. The developing , also in , incorporates room-and-pillar mining with continuous miners for efficient ore removal and uses freeze-shaft technology during to stabilize unstable ground by artificially freezing surrounding rock. Shafts here reach up to 1,600 meters, amplifying similar safety concerns related to depth, water, , and gases. Current annual output at Boulby stands at around 1 million tonnes of polyhalite ore, reflecting its established role in global supply. Upon full operation, Woodsmith is projected to produce up to 20 million tonnes per year, significantly scaling global polyhalite availability.

Beneficiation and production

Polyhalite is beneficiated through a straightforward physical that focuses on reduction and impurity removal without chemical treatments. The extracted is initially crushed to produce particles smaller than 10 mm, followed by screening to separate the desired polyhalite fractions from impurities such as () and , which are rejected as coarser or finer material. This screening step achieves effective purification, leveraging the and differences between polyhalite and common minerals like clay or , resulting in a clean product suitable for direct use. Following beneficiation, polyhalite is processed into marketable forms, primarily under the commercial brand Polysulphate by ICL Group at the Boulby mine in the UK. The material undergoes further crushing and screening to yield standard fine-grade powder or granular products sized 2-4 mm, which enhances handling, application, and nutrient release for agricultural use. No heating, drying, or granulation binders are required, as the natural rock form allows for direct bagging after these mechanical steps, minimizing energy use and environmental impact. Quality control during production emphasizes maintaining low impurity levels, particularly chloride content below 1%, to ensure compatibility with chloride-sensitive crops and compliance with standards. Recovery rates from the ore typically range from 80-90%, with the process designed for high efficiency in separating usable polyhalite. Analytical testing verifies nutrient composition and purity at each stage, supporting consistent product specifications such as 14% K₂O, 48% SO₃, 6% MgO, and 17% CaO. The beneficiation and production process generates minimal byproducts, with rejected materials like and primarily consisting of minor or traces that are managed through backfilling into mined voids to prevent surface disposal and stabilize underground structures. This approach ensures generation from chemical processing, aligning with sustainable practices at operations like Boulby.

Uses and Applications

As a fertilizer

Polyhalite serves as a multi-nutrient providing slow-release (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and (S), with a typical nutrient profile equivalent to 14% K₂O, 6% MgO, 17% CaO, and 48% SO₃. Its low chloride content, below 1%, makes it particularly suitable for chloride-sensitive crops such as and potatoes, avoiding the issues associated with chloride-based alternatives like muriate of . This composition supports balanced , promoting enhanced root growth and improved soil structure without disrupting microbial activity. In agricultural applications, polyhalite is typically applied at rates of 200-500 kg/ha, depending on needs and soil conditions, often integrated into blends with NPK fertilizers to address specific deficiencies. Field trials have demonstrated its efficacy in boosting yields; for instance, applications in production have resulted in significant increases in marketable fruit yield compared to conventional sources, attributed to better uptake and reduced stress. Additionally, it fosters deeper development, leading to more resilient plants under varying weather conditions. From an environmental perspective, polyhalite's slow-release mechanism minimizes nutrient leaching, thereby enhancing use efficiency and reducing contamination risks. It is certified for in the and , meeting standards from bodies like and Control Union, which underscores its compatibility with sustainable practices. The majority of polyhalite production is marketed for use, driven by rising demand for eco-friendly options in ; exports from the UK's , the primary production site as of 2025, reach numerous countries worldwide, supporting diverse cropping systems.

Industrial and other uses

Polyhalite serves as a mineral source for producing , which finds application in ceramics as a flocculant to thicken suspensions and as a flux in stoneware glazes, enhancing glaze stability and finish quality. In the , derived from polyhalite processing acts as a in processes and a weighting agent for , improving fabric absorption and durability. In animal nutrition, polyhalite is utilized as an acidogenic feed supplement, particularly in dairy cow rations to induce , increase urinary calcium excretion, and support pre-partum calcium mobilization without adversely affecting intake or production. It provides , calcium, magnesium, and for . Emerging applications include soil remediation in saline and sodic lands, where polyhalite's calcium content facilitates the displacement of exchangeable sodium from soil colloids, promoting its leaching and improving for subsequent crop establishment.

References

  1. https://rruff.geo.[arizona](/page/Arizona).edu/doclib/hom/polyhalite.pdf
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