MINERALOGICAL OBSERVATIONS OF WEDDELLITE FROM SOUTH GEORGIA, SUBANTARCTICA

Weddellite crystals (CaC2O4 . 2H(2)O) were found in peat samples from Husvik on the subantarctic island of South Georgia. Compared to litera ture data, the crystals are rather small. They are prismatically shape d with tetragonal bipyramidal terminations. Interpenetration twins are frequently observed. The X-ray diffraction data show a slight differe nce with the ICDD-values. The possible source of these crystals is bri efly discussed, favouring the in situ formation of weddellite, rather than the formation after storage and preparation of the material.