Caracterización petrográfica de minerales opacos al sur del Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract: This research involved the microscopic description and characterization of opaque minerals from various locations and mineral deposits in the Southern Region of Ecuador. This study entailed the preparation of nine polished sections in which different minerals were identified, including oxides (hematite, magnetite, and goethite) and sulfides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, and galena). Furthermore, optical properties of each mineral were observed under plane plolarized light (PPL) (without an analyzer): color, pleochroism, and reflectance; as well as properties under crossed polarized light (XPL) (with an analyzer): anisotropy and internal reflections. A description of the predominant textures of each analyzed mineral was also provided. The final outcome was detailed images and a table with each of the described optical properties.