Abstract

Zircon and ilmenite are heavy minerals that provide information about the geochemical evolution of different environments, and are also used in prospecting and exploration of mineral deposits. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the morphological, chemical and textural effects that take place in environments of acid mine drainage, acid rain, carbonatic environment and extreme conditions, after selecting crystals with well-defined faces and simulating the pH scenarios that characterize them. For each condition studied, the crystals were observed with a binocular loupe and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), performing the chemical analysis using characteristic X-rays. Results obtained in this study indicate that zircon has greater textural, morphological and chemical alteration under basic pH conditions, obtaining a decrease in area, variations in the Si/Zr ratio and relative enrichment of rare earth elements, Ca, Al and Fe. Ilmenite presented its greatest changes in the most acidic pH conditions, producing precipitates, significantly smaller areas in extreme acidic pH, relative enrichment of Cu, Ti and, on the other hand, an evolution of chemical phases as the pH decreases.