IRON OXIDES IN THE BEACH SEDIMENTS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN PART OF THE SEA OF AZOV

Abstract

The morphological features and chemical composition of iron oxides in the beach deposits of the northwestern part of the Sea of Azov were studied on the basis of research materials of 2016-2020, using a scanning electron microscope with an integrated electron-probe analysis system. The chemical composition of iron oxides varies from Fe39O86 to Fe17O8. Most of the individuals surveyed are stoichiometric iron (III) oxide Fe2O3, but only a few of them have morphological features of the natural hematite, usually martite. The vast majority of Fe2O3 individuals and other individuals in the whole range of the chemical composition have specific morphological features of technogenic compounds and generally are ferrous dross particles formed during the rolled steel process. The sharp predominance of the technogenic component of iron oxides in the black sands is an important fact that witnesses the powerful man9made pressure on the ecosystems of the Azov Sea.

Keywords

• black sands
• sea of azov
• iron oxide
• mineral
• technogenic substance
• electron probe analysis.