Characterisation of prehnite by EPMA, Mössbauer, optical absorption and EPR spectroscopic methods.

A sample of prehnite from Rayalaseema zone of Andhra Pradesh, India containing about 2.565 wt.% Fe(2)O(3) is used in the present work. The mineral has been characterized by EPMA, optical absorption, EPR, NIR and Mössbauer techniques. Mössbauer studies confirm the presence of iron as an impurity in two sites. An EPR study on powder sample confirm the presence of Fe(III) impurity in the mineral. Optical absorption spectrum also indicates that Fe(III) impurity is present in two sites with octahedral structure. NIR results are due to water fundamentals.