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Mineral stains have been devised for the rapid identification of many common minerals; Reid (1969)
provides an extensive compendium. The identification of minerals, however, can now be achieved with
much greater certainty using modern analytical techniques (SEM, microprobe and so on). Stains have
been devised that display intracrystalline variations in chemical composition although techniques such
as cathodoluminescence, fluorescence and backscatter electron imaging can display this type of
information more comprehensively and reliably than staining. Some stains, however, are very
versatile, they can be used in the field, on rock slabs or thin sections; they are inexpensive, easy to
use and rapid to apply.
Potassium ferricyanide (PF) produces a precipitate of Turnbulls blue when ferrous iron is released to
the staining solution. It might be expected that siderite (ferrous carbonate) would react with this stain
but siderite does not react with dilute cold HCl, iron is not released to the staining solution and
consequently no stain is precipitated. The rate of reaction of the PF stain, as with ARS, is controlled by
reaction rate between carbonate and HCl. Calcites and dolomites containing ferrous iron do react with
the stain but dolomite reacts less vigorously than calcite so the intensity of PF stain is not proportional
to the iron concentration of the two minerals. The PF stain is very sensitive to ferrous iron
concentrations in calcite and will distinguish differences in concentration of a few 100 ppm. Lindholm
and Finkelman (1972) correlated iron concentration of calcite with stain colour, but to match their
colour range their staining procedure must be reproduced exactly. The relationship between iron
concentration and stain colour is non-linear as the reactivity of carbonate minerals increases with
rising iron concentration (Reeder 1983). Ferroan calcite stains blue and ferroan dolomite stains green
to turquoise. As iron concentration increases in these two minerals the colours converge. The difficulty
in distinguishing such iron-rich carbonates can be overcome by staining with ARS alone.
When iron concentrations are low the dual staining procedure can be modified to increase iron
differentiation. Extending the staining time in the dual stain beyond 90 seconds is inadvisable as the
stain cracks and thick deposits of ARS obscure the section. Material with low iron concentrations can
be stained first in a PF/HCl solution for 60 seconds before staining with the dual (ARS+PF) stain. The
distribution of ferrous iron (resolvable to 1m) in thin section or rock slab can be differentiated in a
few minutes using this stain.
Carbonate staining
Fig. 1 Response of common rock forming carbonate minerals to staining with alizarin red s /
potassium ferricyanide stain (J.A.D.D.).
Conclusions
Stains have been used to determine mineralogy and intracrystalline chemical variations although both
these properties can now be more reliably and quantitatively determined using analytical techniques.
Stains can however be applied to outcrop, rock slabs or thin sections in a few minutes at negligible
expense. Their application requires little training other than some basic safety training in the use of
chemical substances and an understanding of how the stain operates.
Staining Procedure
1) Sections can be etched before staining in 1% HCl for 5 seconds
2) Stain sections for 30 to 60 seconds in combined stain until ferroan and non ferroan varieties are
differentiated. CO2 bubbles evolve from the reacting surface. Agitate the section and withdraw from
staining solution briefly to break any CO2 bubbles that stick to the surface and prevent the stain from
reaching with that part of the section. If the bubbles are not released the section it will have many
small unstained circles.
3) Rinse the section gently with deionised water. The stain is delicate and is easily removed - dont
jet water at the surface or touch it. Once dry the stain is more durable but if you wish to archive the
stained section it is best to cover slip.
4) Allow the stained section to dry by stacking vertically so the water runs off. The stain is water
soluble so dry as quickly as possible without touching the stained surface.
Acetate Peels
The stain can be removed on an acetate peel from a thin section or a stained slab. This is best done
while the stain is still damp after staining and before it dries out completely; once dry the stain will
stick to the rock. The stained surface should be held horizontally and flooded with acetone. The
acetate sheeting should be rolled onto the surface squeezing out the excess acetone. Leave the peel
to dry completely - ideally 24 hours. If you remove the acetate shortly after application it is still soft
and will distort and wrinkle. The water/acetone mix on the stained surface is critical - too much water
and peel will be cloudy - not enough acetone and air bubbles are trapped beneath the peel! Successful
peel are tricky to produce and require much practice.