Zeolites are widely distributed within basaltic rocks along eastern Australia, largely within those of Mesozoic to Cenozoic age. These hydrous alkali earth (i.e. sodium, potassium, calcium) aluminosilicate minerals have an open structure that enhances a process of ion exchange whereby their alkali earth elements are swapped for other elements. This ion exchange ability is used in many pollution control techniques, making zeolites an important mineral group for study. This project investigates the mineralogy of zeolite occurrences and their genesis within New South Wales, with comparison studies of other zeolite occurrences in New Zealand and Northern Ireland.
Graham, I.T., Pogson, R.E., Colchester, D.M. and Baines, A., 2003. Zeolite crystal habits, compositions, and paragenesis: Blackhead Quarry, Dunedin, New Zealand. (PDF 774 kb) Mineralogical Magazine, 67: 625-637.
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Principal Investigators: Dr Ian Graham, Ross Pogson and David Colchester (Australian Museum)
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2004