Łukasz Kruszewski's Photo Gallery

4V1-WQHUnnamed (Ammonium(?) Iodobismuthate) (NH4,K)-Bi-I , Salammoniac NH₄Cl

Rydułtowy heap, ROW Ruch Rydułtowy Mine, Rydułtowy, Wodzisław County, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

Field of View: 55 μm

Tiny crystals and aggregates of the (vivid orangish-red) likely-ammonium iodobismuthate from a high-temperature salammoniac-rich fumarole of the "Szarlota" heap. A result of coal-fire-induced mobilization of juvenile brines (contained in pore space of the post-mining waste rocks) and coal-contained bismuth.

P4X-L52Unnamed (Ammonium(?) Iodobismuthate) (NH4,K)-Bi-I , Salammoniac NH₄Cl

Marcel mine heap, Radlin, Wodzisław County, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

Field of View: 40 cm

Vivid reddish-orange encrustations of a likely-ammonium iodobismuthate (a new mineral species, currently under study) covering salammoniac. The maximum temperature measured within this fumarolic system was 345 ^oC. This mineralization results from coal-fire-induced mobilization of juvenile (Cl, Br, I-rich) brines contained in pore space of the post-mining waste rocks.

RAD-PUDBuchite, Hematite Fe₂O₃

Wojkowice burning coal-mining heap, Wojkowice, Będzin County, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

Dimensions: 9 cm x 3.5 cm x 2.3 cm

A pyrometamorphic specimen that is possibly a hematite-rich buchite. Vesicular texture is clearly seen. The evident flow texture may, however, suggest this ain't a buchite but a parabasalt but this needs further, mineralogical studies.

Mosses in a burning heap

Wojkowice burning coal-mining heap, Wojkowice, Będzin County, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

Mosses, alongside with Verbascum, are good indicators of heat areas. Here, the likely ceasing fire, has produced some alunogen and sulfur in the recent years, but localizing their occurrences (palaeo-vents) is difficult.

Verbascum plants marking the heat anomaly

Wojkowice burning coal-mining heap, Wojkowice, Będzin County, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

Verbascum plants, alongside with mosses, are very good markers of heat anomalies.

Gas sampling in a burning heap

Wojkowice burning coal-mining heap, Wojkowice, Będzin County, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

Gas sampling in the burning post-coal-mining waste-rock heap in Wojkowice. The fire is most likely in its final/cease stage. Exhalative minerals formed are alunogen and sulfur.

Old Triassic limestone quarry at Wojkowice

Wojkowice-Krzyżówka limestone quarry, Wojkowice, Będzin County, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

Old Gogolin limestone quarry as seen from the burning post-coal-mining waste-heap in Wojkowice.

H8N-8QRWampenite C₁₈H₁₆

Wampen, Thiersheim, Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Field of View: 1.2 mm

Minute colourless microcrystals of wampenite - a relatively new add to the list of organic minerals - in a chunk of fossil wood. Photo layer stacking technique used.

RWL-LFJPlumbotellurite Pb(TeO₃) , Quartz SiO₂

Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico

Field of View: 1.2 mm

Intergrown beige/yellowish microcrystals of plumbotellurite - one of two natural lead trioxotellurate(IV) polymorphs, polymorphous with the recently discovered matthiasweilite - in quartz, with some other secondary tellurate species. Photo layer stacking technique used. Analysed by the dealer, Joy Desor - thanks!