English: Jarosite, KFe3+3(OH)6(SO4)2 Jarosite is a straw-yellow basic sulphate that forms on the oxidation of iron sulphides (FeS2) in soils and sediments. This soil sample was removed from the subsoil of a trial pit at the Arthur Rickwood Experimental Husbandry Farm, Mepal Fen, Cambs. Oxidation has been brought about by drainage of the land for agriculture and associated features are strong acidity (pH less than 4) caused by the release of sulphuric acid, orange-coloured deposits of ochre in drainage pipes and drains, and aluminium toxicity causing a stunted, deformed root system. Soils with strong acidity formed by this process are known as 'acid sulphate soils'; they are common in the perimarine zone of the Fenland of Eastern England where the original sulphides were supplied by a series of marine transgressions. Jarosite is a prominent feature of mineral sediments such as the Fen Clay but is absent from fen peat which also experiences strong acidification in these areas.
This image was taken from the Geograph project collection. See this photograph's page on the Geograph website for the photographer's contact details. The copyright on this image is owned by Rodney Burton and is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.
to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work
to remix – to adapt the work
Under the following conditions:
attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
share alike – If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same or compatible license as the original.
== {{int:filedesc}} == {{Information |description={{en|1=Jarosite, KFe3+3(OH)6(SO4)2 Jarosite is a straw-yellow basic sulphate that forms on the oxidation of iron sulphides (FeS2) in soils and sediments. This soil sample was removed from the subsoil of