Arsenopyrite

Arsenopyrite, aka Mispickel, is an abundant mineral throughout the world.

Chemical Formula: AsFeS

Other names: Iron arsenic sulfide

Layman's explanation: Mispickel, now arsenopyrite, was discovered by G. Agricola of Germany in 1546. It is a lustrous, silver-white colored mineral. Arsenopyrite is composed of 46% arsenic and is mined for exactly that. Its major uses are for arsenic ore and arsenious oxide, or white arsenic. When heated, the arsenic sublimes from the mineral leaving iron (II) sulfide. When this arsenic is obtained it is in the gaseous form and is highly toxic. Arsenic is then used for dyes, leather treatments, and pest control. The US and Canada are main suppliers of the mineral and the ore.

Keywords: mispickel, arsenic, mineral

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