Characterization and distribution of fibrous tremolite and chrysotile minerals in the Eskisehir region of western Turkey

Because of widespread tremolite and chrysotile minerals in Palaeozoic-Mesozoic metamorphic and Triassic ophiolitic units, respectively, in the Eskisehir region, Turkey, there is significant potential for development of cases of mesothelioma. Such occurrences in the Eskisehir region show a positive correlation with the concentration and dimension of tremolite crystals compared with those of chrysotile crystals. A detailed assessment of the mineralogy, geochemistry and genesis of these materials has not been carried out to date; the present study was undertaken to fill that gap. The sharp diagnostic basal reflections at 8.14 angstrom, 3.09 angstrom and at 7.30 A, 3.63 A, well defined fibrous crystallinity, and ideal differential thermal analysis-thermal gravimetric and Raman curves suggest the development of well crystallized fibrouslacicidar tremolite and chrysotile with the average structural formulae of: (Na0.07K0.03)(Ca1.68Mg0.01)(Fe0.42Mg4.55Ti0.01)(Si7.60Al0.24Fe0.16)O-22(OH)(2), and (Mg5.55Fe0.41 Mn-0.006)(Si3.79Al0.13)O-10(OH)(8), respectively.