Zeolite-Containing Tripoli of Khotinetsk Deposit (Orel Dist.): Features of the Structure, Mineral and Chemical Composition

Zeolites are an important natural material that is widely used in many industries. Due to its unique ion exchange and sorption properties, it is in demand in several key areas of our time, one of which is environmental protection. The article is devoted to the study of the geological structure of zeolite-containing trepels of the Khotynets deposit, mineral composition and their chemical features. Microscopic, X-ray phase and X-ray fluorescence analyses were performed in the laboratory of ore deposits of IGEM RAS, data processing was carried out in the laboratory of computer technologies of RUDN in the programs Statistica and Starter. Visually, zeolite-containing tripoli is a rock of light shades with massive, indistinctly layered textures, and micro- and fine-grained structures. The research results have shown that the rocks of the Khotynets deposit have a complex composition and represent the so–called useful component – the sum of the minerals of the zeolite (clinoptilolite), smectite and opal-cristobalite group in combination with carbonates. Carbonates reduce the quality of raw materials, and their content ranges from 5 to 35%. The layered structure of the thickness was revealed by the ratio of the useful component and the harmful impurity.