Sulfur... The most infernal mineral! In the underworld, as you know, resin boils in half of the cauldrons, and molten sulfur in half. And the point here is not only that the boiling point of sulfur is three times higher than the boiling point of resin. Heated sulfur is easily oxidized, giving an extremely acrid smoke - it is not for nothing that sulfur bombs are burned in cellars that need disinfection. The smoke of burning sulfur is an additional, so to speak, educational measure for sinners ...

There is every reason to believe that people placed sulfur in the mythical underworld long before the invention of any structured religion. This mineral in its native form was discovered by man incredibly long ago, and for many centuries inquisitive minds sought to find - and found! - the use of sulfur.

Apparently, native sulfur was part of the so-called "Greek fire" - a self-igniting tar-like composition that was successfully used in military affairs. Inventing gunpowder, the Chinese could not do without sulfur. The healers of the past - as well as modern medicine - widely used a variety of sulfur compounds.

The death of Pliny the Elder, the famous historian, a contemporary of Christ, happened from sulfur ... In the year 79, Pliny happened to witness the eruption of Vesuvius. In the process of evacuating local residents, Pliny inhaled volcanic gas full of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, and, unable to withstand the developed asthmatic attack, ordered the slave to kill himself.

Sulfur in nature

In its pure form, natural sulfur is rarely found - although it contains at least half a percent (1.4 ∙ 1017 tons) in the earth's crust. It's a lot! In most cases, geologists have to deal with ores that are rich in sulfur layers.

IN modern science There are several hypotheses for the formation of sulfur deposits - and mutually exclusive. The high chemical activity of the element implies its repeated binding and release in the formation processes upper layers earth's crust- but it is not known exactly how the reactions proceed.

The theories of the biogenic origin of sulfur deposits are interesting: it turns out that there are several varieties of bacteria on the planet that use sulfur compounds for food. According to other ideas, sulfur is a product of leaching of sulfates from deep hydrocarbons.

Scientists are studying a variety of versions of the replacement of elements in the rocks of the earth's crust, leading to the release and accumulation of sulfur. However, there is still no final understanding of the laws of the appearance of native and ore sulfur.

Physical and chemical properties of sulfur

Detailed studies of the properties of sulfur took place only in the XVIII century. They were conducted by the famous French naturalist Antoine Lavoisier. He found that sulfur readily crystallizes from the melt, and at first the crystals take on an acicular appearance - but this form is unstable, and as the temperature decreases, recrystallization occurs with the formation of volumetric translucent aggregates of golden or lemon yellow color.

The behavior of sulfur when heated is very unusual. Molten sulfur (t ≥ 113°C) being poured into cold water, turns into a rubber-like plastic mass. It takes several days for the processes of crystallization to begin in the sulfur mass.

Heating sulfur to temperatures well above the melting point leads to an increase in the viscosity of the substance. "Condensation" begins at 155°C, and at 187°C sulfur becomes almost solid. Fluidity returns to sulfur only at 300°C, and at 445°C it boils (hello sinners).

warmed up to gaseous state, sulfur continues to amaze with its properties. At relatively low temperatures, a molecule of gaseous sulfur contains eight atoms. When almost twice the boiling point is reached, two atoms remain in the volatile sulfur molecule. Sulfur becomes a monatomic gas only at 1700°C.

Sulfur mining

Conventional sulfur mining is carried out in an open pit using huge excavators, heavy dump trucks and concentrators. An ingenious method for extracting sulfur from the bowels was proposed by Hermann Frasch at the end of the 19th century. American chemist proposed to pump underground hot water, and pump out molten sulfur through the wells.

True, the melting point of sulfur is almost 13°C higher than the boiling point of water, however, supplying the solution under high pressure solves the problem. The result of the introduction of the process was the production of sufficiently pure sulfur at the first stage of production.

In the 20th century, a method was proposed for melting underground sulfur with high-frequency currents, followed by extraction of the melt through wells. Injecting hot compressed air into the sulfur beds helps lift the liquefied mineral.

Our country has developed an extremely rational way of exploiting sulfur deposits. The underground deposit is set on fire, sulfur dioxide is pumped to the surface, which is then transported to chemical plants through pipelines.

Use of sulfur

Mankind is confidently competing with the underworld for sulfur. It takes almost 3 kg of sulfur to make one rubber tire for a passenger car. Bleaching of a kilogram of paper occurs when one hundred grams of sulfur is consumed. We burn a huge amount of sulfur with matches. A little less sulfur we eat in the form of drugs ...

Sulfuric acid is widely used in industry. Mineral sulfur is a well-known and effective phosphate fertilizer activator. High-speed metalworking - and that is not complete without sulfur! Emulsions used to lubricate and cool workpieces are sometimes one-fifth sulfur!

By the way, powdered sulfur is the first method for disinfecting mercury spills. When mercury and sulfur come into contact, metal sulfide is formed, which has long been called cinnabar and is a very stable substance. Mercury does not evaporate from cinnabar - therefore, a simple sulfur pollination of the mercury spill site is enough to eliminate the danger of mercury vapor poisoning.

Sulfur is a common native mineral that has been used for medical and industrial purposes since ancient times.

It forms in salt mines, as deposits around volcanoes, and within sedimentary layers. Sulfuric acid, the main derivative of sulfur, is the most important inorganic chemical used in trade, chemicals and fertilizers. It used to be that acid intake was one of the best indicators industrial development country.

The color of the mineral is similar to the color of the surface of Jupiter's moon Io, which is explained by volcanic processes resulting in the formation of sulfur.

The English name sulfur (sulfur) comes from the Latin word, which means "sulphur" in translation.

According to the Dana Class classification, it belongs to the class of native elements with semi-metallic and non-metallic elements, a group of polymorphs.

Classification

A subspecies of sulfur is rosickite, an unusual polymorph of the mineral. It crystallizes in a monoclinic system, while sulfur crystals are orthorhombic.

Chemical composition

Native sulfur consists of the chemical element of the same name (S8). IN periodic system chemical elements has an atomic number of 16. The molecular weight is 256.53 g.

Physical properties

• hardness on the Mohs hardness scale of minerals: 2 (similar to gypsum);
• specific gravity: 2;
• density: 2.05-2.09 (average - 2.06);
• transparency: from transparent to translucent nuggets;
• color: yellow, brown or green-yellow, orange, white;
• dash color: white;
• gloss from glass to strawberry;
• splitting (kink): conchoidal (conchoidal), uneven;
• habit: prismatic, powdery, kidney-shaped (as, for example, hematite);
• luminescence: not fluorescent.

Optical performance

It should be noted that a low electrical conductivity coefficient affects the brittleness of the mineral when heated.

Mining (deposit)

The primary extraction of native sulfur mainly comes from rock deposits of salt domes containing the mineral. It is also formed from pyrite (iron sulfide, FeS2), from sand deposits in Canada, and is recovered as a by-product from smelters, industrial plants, oil, gasoline and natural gas refineries.

The total world production of sulfur in 2013 amounted to 69 million tons, of which approximately 50% was obtained as a by-product from the development of oil and natural gas fields. The direct share of mineral extraction is 30% of the volume of production.

Sulfur is widely distributed as native deposits near volcanoes and hot springs. It is a component of sulfide minerals, such as galena, pyrite, sphalerite, etc., and is also found in meteorites. Significant deposits are located along the Gulf of Mexico coast, as well as in large deposits of evaporite groups of sediments in Eastern Europe and Western Asia, which are most likely the result of bacterial destruction of sulfate minerals.

The Vanilla mine in the province of Cadiz, Andalusia, Spain, is a historic European deposit of the mineral.

The other two are the Muchav mine, Tarnobrzeg, Poland and the Voinskoye deposit, Samara Region, Russia.

Deposits of the mineral are found near hot springs and volcanic areas in many parts of the world, especially along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Such deposits are currently being developed in Indonesia, Chile and Japan. these deposits are polycrystalline, and the dimensions of the largest specimen were 22*16*11 cm.

Historically, Sicily was a major supplier of minerals during the Industrial Revolution. On Earth, as well as on Jupiter's moon Io, the element is formed during volcanic emissions, including emissions from hydrothermal vents.

During 2015, 70 million tons of sulfur were produced worldwide. The top 12 mineral producing countries include China, USA, Russia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, India, Kazakhstan, Iran, UAE and Mexico.

History (mythology)

Being readily available, the mineral was known in ancient times and was even mentioned in the Bible. In the text of Holy Scripture, sulfur is mentioned in connection with the “fiery sermon”, in which parishioners are reminded of eternal damnation for unbelievers and unrepentant.

According to the Ebers Papyrus (one of the oldest surviving medical manuscripts), Ancient Egypt sulfuric ointment was used to treat granular eyelids. Homer's Odyssey mentions that the mineral was used for disinfection. In the 35th book of Natural History, Pliny the Elder examines the mineral, mentioning that the best sources are on the island of Melos. He pointed out that it is used for disinfection, in medicine and for bleaching clothes.

Native sulfur in its natural form has been known in China since the 6th century BC. There it was first discovered in Hanzhong. TO 3rd century the Chinese discovered that the mineral could be mined from pyrite.

Early alchemists gave the mineral its own alchemical symbol, a cross with a triangle on top.

In traditional pre-modern skin treatments, the mineral was used in creams to relieve conditions such as scabies, ringworm, psoriasis, eczema, and acne.

Scope and scope

The main commercial use of the mineral is in the production of H2SO4 sulfuric acid. It, in turn, is used for the production of fertilizers and is the basis of many production processes. Other uses:

• fungicides;
• insecticides;
• component of artillery powder.

Pure sulfur is odorless, and the characteristic rotten egg odor associated with the mineral is formed when the powder is mixed with water, producing hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S).

Medicinal properties

Sulfur plays a crucial role in detoxification, as it is part of one of the most important antioxidants that the body produces - glutathione.

Sulfur is part of some amino acids in the human body, is involved in protein synthesis, as well as in several enzymatic reactions. It is involved in the production of collagen, a substance that forms connective tissues, cells and artery walls. In addition, it is part of keratin, which gives strength to hair, skin and nails.

Arthritis

According to the University of Maryland, USA, dietary sulfur supplementation has a positive effect on the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. Sulfur or mud baths relieve swelling caused by arthritis. Applying a cream containing dimethyl sulfoxide can relieve pain in some types of arthritis. Ingestion food additive with 6 mg of sulfur methylsulfylmethane relieves arthritic pains, and in combination with glucosamine, its effect only increases.

Skin diseases

Sulfur has been shown to be beneficial in skin conditions including acne, psoriasis, warts, dandruff, eczema, and folliculitis. Creams, lotions, and soaps containing sulfur are used to treat swelling and redness caused by acne. Dermatitis and scabies are treated with a specialized sulfide ointment.

Dietary Supplements

There are no specific requirements for the additional intake of sulfur in food, since the required amount is absorbed with regular food. It is found in animal protein-rich foods such as dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, and seafood. In particular, egg yolks are one of the high quality sources of sulfur. Also, its consumption can be increased by adding onions, garlic, turnips, cabbage, seaweed and raspberries to food. Nuts are an additional source of vegetable sulfur.

Scientists recognize that the lack of an element in the body may be one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease, the number of cases of which is increasing every year.

It should be noted that without a sufficient amount of sulfur, metabolism is disturbed. This in turn leads to damage to muscle and fat cells and, as a result, causes glucose intolerance. The dangerous condition of the body, known as the metabolic syndrome, occurs because the body compensates for defective glucose metabolism and gains weight.

Some researchers link the lack of sulfur in the body with the spread of heart disease.

Health effects of eating foods with sulfur

Countries whose population consumes more sulfur in food are in the ranking of healthy countries

Greece, Italy and Japan are the primary suppliers of sulfur to the world. Isn't it a coincidence that these countries have one of the lowest percentages of heart disease and obesity among the population? Most likely no. Icelanders are the least affected by depression, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Some researchers associate these figures with the country's volcanic belt. Periodic eruptions cover the ground with sulfate-containing stones. This enriched soil allows plants and animals to grow. In turn, the inhabitants of the country, who use myt products for food, significantly improve their health.

It used to be that the Icelandic diet protected them from chronic diseases thanks to fish. However, the theory was not confirmed, as Icelanders who moved to Canada and continued to use a large number of fish were more prone to disease than non-immigrant populations. Thus, the Icelandic soil enriched with sulfur plays a decisive role in providing immunity and getting the body enough of the mineral.

domestic use

Sulfur is mainly used as a precursor for other chemical substances. Approximately 85% of the product is converted into sulfuric acid. Because she has importance for the world economy, its production and consumption are an indicator of the country's industrial development.

The main use of acid is the mining of phosphate ores for the production of fertilizers. It is also used for oil refining, processing Wastewater and mining. Sulfur reacts directly with methane to form carbon disulfide, which is used to make cellophane and viscose.

One of the important uses of the mineral is the vulcanization of rubber, where polysulfides form bonded organic polymers. They found wide application in paper bleaching and as preservatives in dried fruits. Many surfactants and derivatives, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, are derived from sulfates.

Although the mineral is insoluble in water, it is one of the most versatile elements for forming compounds. Sulfur reacts and forms compounds with all chemical elements except gold, iodine, iridium, nitrogen, platinum, tellurium and inert gases.

The information below will convince everyone that the mineral is common and is literally everywhere:

• ranks 11th in number in the human body;
• is in 6th place in the composition of sea water;
• 14 - in terms of prevalence in the earth's crust and 9 - on the planet;
• closes the top ten most common elements solar system and the universe.

stone care

When wet, mineral samples form hydrogen sulfide, which causes their destruction. To prevent this, it is not recommended to store the mineral in humid conditions. Warm water can cause the nuggets to break.

Samples may crack when exposed to heat. When working with the mineral, excessive contact with it should be avoided, as well as stored in a dark room.

Diagnostic card.
Sulfur crystals from Cozzodisi (Agrigento)

S
Syngony rhombic or monoclinic
Hardness 2
Specific gravity 2-2.1
Cleavage imperfect
Fracture conchoidal
Color yellow, brown
Color in powder white
Resin to oily gloss

Native sulfur - S. Luster is greasy to diamond, the mineral is transparent to translucent. Colors: yellow, becomes gray or brown to black when weathered. The line is light yellow, the fracture is conchoidal, uneven. Very fragile. Cleavage is imperfect. Sulfur is formed as a product of volcanic sublimates; it is also found in biogenic sedimentary deposits.

Crystals (rhombic syngony) pyramidal, barrel-shaped. Frequent splices. The aggregates are continuous, coarse-grained, dense, sometimes earthy (vine-like and kidney-shaped discharges are found), powdery coatings. It is used for the preparation of sulfuric acid, in the rubber industry and for agricultural pest control. Places of distribution: the island of Sicily (Italy), Spain. Poland, CIS, Japan, pcs. Louisiana (USA), Mexico.

Sulfur is an example of polymorphism. In the stable phase (up to 95 o C) rhombic crystal system, in the range up to 119 o C turns into monoclinic. It melts when the temperature rises. In nature, because of this, it is found mainly in a rhombic form. Sulfur forms bipyramidal crystals and granular aggregates. The characteristic color of this mineral is lemon yellow, which can change up to almost black due to bitumen contamination.

Sulfur (yellow). Guam o., Pacific Ocean, USA. 10 cm. Photo: A.A. Evseev.

Sulfur (English Sulfur, French Sufre, German Schwefel) in native state, as well as in the form of sulfur compounds, has been known since ancient times. With the smell of burning sulfur, the suffocating effect of sulfur dioxide and the disgusting smell of hydrogen sulfide, people probably met in prehistoric times. Approximately half of the sulfur produced in the world is extracted from natural reserves.

diagnostic signs.
Fragile, poor conductor of heat; sometimes a touch of the hand is enough to cause the crystal to crack. Charged with electricity when rubbed. It melts at a low temperature, burns in air, releasing the poisonous gas of sulfuric anhydride.

Origin.
Sulfur is a mineral characteristic of sedimentary deposits such as evaporites and direct ("dry") volcanic sublimation, as well as an element of volcanic (thermal) sulfur sources (poisonous water and hot fumes of sulfur and acid). It is believed that it is formed during the decomposition of sulfates, primarily gypsum (with which it most often occurs together), under the influence of bacteria, primarily "thiobacteria". The monoclinic phase is formed during the sublimation of sulfurous acid vapors in a volcanic medium (in solfataras). In the photo - aggregates of sulfur crystals, commonly called "sulfur flowers".

Deposits and application.
Large sulfur deposits have been found in Texas and Louisiana in the roof of salt domes (evaporite deposits) overlain by clay strata. Sulfur in these deposits has practically no impurities, it is extracted by drilling wells into which boiling water is injected. It melts the sulfur, which is then pumped to the surface (Flash method).

Sulfur is also common in Italy along the outcrops of the gypsum sulfur-bearing strata that delineate the Apennines, especially in Romagna, Marche, Calabria and Sicily. Sulfur is interbedded with clayey rocks there, so for its extraction (now stopped) it is required enough hard way. In the sulfur mines of Sicily, the extrusion method was used. Sulfur mined in the mine was melted and poured into large containers.

Other deposits are known in Japan and Indonesia. In Italy, very beautiful crystals of rhombic sulfur are known from Romagna, Marche (Perticara) and Sicily, where they are associated with celestite and aragonite. Monoclinic sulfur has been installed at Campi Flegeri and on the island of Vulcano. Sulfur is used in the chemical industry and for the production of mineral fertilizers.

Sulfur (crystal). Sicily, Italy. 5x2.5 cm. Photo: A.A. Evseev.

Brush of sulfur crystals (60x40 cm) from the island of Sicily (Italy). Photo: V.I. Dvoryadkin.

Sulfur. Druse of dipyramidal crystals on a crystal of colorless gypsum
and inside it. Sicily, Italy. Photo: A.A. Evseev.

Sulfur is a "mineral of beauty" (a joke in the Soviet "zones", 1939-1969 of the 20th century, where the detention of prisoners was, among other things, on sulfur). The sulfur content in the body of an adult is about 0.16% (110 g per 70 kg of body weight). Sulfur is found in all tissues of the body, a lot of it in the muscles, skeleton, liver, nervous tissue, blood - an active metabolism. The superficial layers of the skin are rich in yellow sulfur, where sulfur is part of keratin and melanin. These are sulfides. Sulfur enters the body food products, in the composition of inorganic and organic compounds. Most of the sulfur enters the body in the composition of amino acids.

The main manifestations of excess sulfur: itching, rash, furunculosis, redness and swelling of the conjunctiva; the appearance of small point defects on the cornea; aches in the eyebrows and eyeballs, a feeling of sand in the eyes; photophobia, lacrimation, general weakness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis; hearing loss, indigestion, diarrhea, weight loss; anemia, mental disorders, decreased intelligence. Sulfur - volcanoes and sulfurous springs, sulfur fumes (99.3%). Accumulate - products. Sulfur-containing compounds (sulfites) are one source of excess sulfur intake, and increased sulfite intake is responsible for the increased incidence of asthma.

Signs of sulfur deficiency: constipation, allergies, dullness and hair loss, brittle nails, high blood pressure, joint pain, tachycardia, high blood sugar and high blood triglycerides. Fatty degeneration of the liver, hemorrhages - in the kidneys, disorders of protein and carbohydrate metabolism, overexcitation nervous system, irritability. Sulfur is the mineral that makes garlic the "king of plants".

Sulfur atoms are an integral part of the molecules of essential amino acids (cystine, cysteine, methionine), hormones (insulin, calcitonin), vitamins (biotin, thiamine), glutathione, taurine and other compounds important for the body. In their composition, sulfur is involved in redox reactions, tissue respiration, energy production, transfer of genetic information, and performs many other important functions. Sulfur is a component of the structural protein of collagen. Chondroitin sulfate is present in the skin, cartilage, nails, ligaments and myocardial valves. Sulfur-containing metabolites are hemoglobin, heparin, cytochromes, fibrinogen and sulfolipids.

Sulfur is excreted in the urine in the form of neutral sulfur and inorganic sulfates, a minor part of the sulfur is excreted through the skin and lungs, and is excreted mainly in the urine as SO42–. Endogenous sulfuric acid formed in the body takes part in the neutralization of toxic compounds (phenol, indole, etc.) that are produced by the intestinal microflora, and also binds substances foreign to the body, including drugs and their metabolites. In this case, harmless compounds are formed - conjugates, which are then excreted from the body. Sulfur metabolism is controlled by those factors that have a regulatory effect on protein metabolism (hormones of the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, gonads).

ADR 2.1
flammable gases
Fire risk. Risk of explosion. May be under pressure. Choking risk. May cause burns and/or frostbite. Capacities can explode when heated (super-dangerous - practically do not burn)

ADR 2.2
gas cylinder Non-flammable, non-toxic gases.
Choking risk. May be under pressure. May cause frostbite (similar to a burn - pallor, blisters, black gas gangrene - creaking). Containers can explode when heated (super-dangerous - an explosion from a spark, flame, match, practically does not burn)
Use cover. Avoid low surface areas (holes, lowlands, trenches)
Green rhombus, ADR number, black or white gas cylinder (such as "cylinder", "thermos")

ADR 2.3
Toxic gases. Skull and crossbones
Danger of poisoning. May be under pressure. May cause burns and/or frostbite. Containers can explode when heated (super-dangerous - instant spread of gases around the area)
Use an emergency escape mask vehicle. Use cover. Avoid low surface areas (holes, lowlands, trenches)
White diamond, ADR number, black skull and crossbones

ADR 3
Flammable liquids
Fire risk. Risk of explosion. Containers may explode when heated (super hazardous - easy to burn)
Use cover. Avoid low surface areas (holes, lowlands, trenches)
Red diamond, ADR number, black or white flame

ADR 4.1
Flammable solids , self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives
Fire risk. Flammable or combustible substances can be ignited by sparks or flames. May contain self-reactive substances capable of exothermic decomposition in case of heating, contact with other substances (such as: acids, compounds heavy metals or amines), friction or impact.
This may result in the evolution of harmful or flammable gases or vapours, or self-ignition. Capacities can explode when heated (super-dangerous - practically do not burn).
Risk of explosion of desensitized explosives after loss of desensitizer
Seven vertical red stripes on a white background, equal area, ADR number, black flame

ADR 8
Corrosive (caustic) substances
Risk of burns due to skin corrosion. They can react violently with each other (components), with water and other substances. Spilled/scattered material may release corrosive vapours.
They pose a risk to water environment or sewer system
White upper half of the rhombus, black - lower, equal in size, ADR number, test tubes, hands

Name of especially dangerous cargo during transportation	Number UN	Class ADR
Sulfuric anhydride, stabilized SULFUR TRIOXIDE, STABILIZED	1829	8
Serist anhydride SULFUR DIOXIDE	1079	2
Carbon disulfide	1131	3
Gas SULFUR HEXAFLUORIDE	1080	2
SULFURIC ACID	1832	8
SULFURIC ACID FUMING	1831	8
SULFURIC ACID, which contains not more than 51% acid, or ACID BATTERY LIQUID	2796	8
SULFURIC ACID, REGENERATED FROM ACID TARS	1906	8
SULFURIC ACID, which contains more than 51% acid	1830	8
SULFURIC ACID	1833	8
SULFUR	1350	4.1
SULFUR IS MELTED	2448	4.1
Sulfur chloride SULFUR CHLORIDES	1828	8
Sulfur hexafluoride SULFUR HEXAFLUORIDE	1080	2
Sulfur dichloride	1828	8
SULFUR DIOXIDE	1079	2
SULFUR TETRAFLUORIDE	2418	2
SULFUR TRIOXIDE, STABILIZED	1829	8
SULFUR CHLORIDES	1828	8
hydrogen sulfide	1053	2
CARBON SULFUR	1131	3
SAFE MATCHES in boxes, books, cartons	1944	4.1
PARAFFIN MATCHES „VESTA”	1945	4.1
Paraffin matches PARAFFIN MATCHES „VESTA”	1945	4.1
MATCHES	2254	4.1

Stone, mineral, minerals, stones, crystal, rock, precious stones, natural stones, rocks, gemstone, rock, wild stone, stones and minerals, name of stones, natural stone, natural stone, stones minerals, semi-precious stone, minerals these are stones catalog, mineralogy, the meaning of stones, what are minerals, properties of stones, the name of stones and minerals, natural stones names and photos, natural stones, minerals stones, natural stones, stones photos and names, minerals names, wild stone photo, rocks and minerals, minerals and stones, chemical composition minerals, what the stone consists of, the most amazing stones and minerals, minerals list, catalog of minerals, stones and their properties, precious minerals, natural stone, minerals types, types of minerals, stone crystal, stones properties, geology stones, basic minerals, minerals and their classification, the most beautiful minerals, minerals definition, the origin of stones, crystal mineral, ordinary stones, minerals classification, stones description, what gems look like in nature, stone what is it, types of natural stone, valuable mineral, mineral science, chemical classification minerals, magnetic properties minerals, world of minerals, mineral rock, what rocks and minerals are, types of stones, stone composition, description of minerals, stones in nature, useful stones, determinant of stones, density of minerals, hardness of rocks, pictures of stones and their names, classification of minerals geology, rocks and minerals, semiprecious stones names and photos, characteristics of minerals, stone structure, minerals in nature.

Description and properties of sulfur

Sulfur is a substance that is in group 16, under the third period and has an atomic number - 16. It can occur both in native and in bound form. Sulfur is denoted by the letter S. Known sulfur formula– (Ne)3s 2 3p 4 . Sulfur as an element is part of many proteins.

In the photo, sulfur crystals

If speak about the structure of the atom of the element sulfur, then there are electrons in its outer orbit, the valence number of which reaches six.

This explains the element's property of being maximally hexavalent in most unions. There are four isotopes in the structure of a natural chemical element, and these are 32S, 33S, 34S and 36S. Speaking of external electron shell, the atom has the scheme 3s2 3p4. The radius of an atom is 0.104 nanometers.

Sulfur properties primarily divided into physical type. It refers to the fact that the element has a solid crystalline composition. Two allotropic modifications are the main state in which this sulfur element is stable.

The first modification is rhombic, having a lemon-yellow color. Its stability is lower than 95.6 °C. The second is monoclinic, having a honey-yellow color. Its stability ranges from 95.6 °C and 119.3 °C.

In the photo, the sulfur mineral

During melting chemical element becomes a moving fluid yellow. It turns brown, reaching a temperature of more than 160 ° C. And at 190 °C sulfur color turns to dark brown. After reaching 190 °C, a decrease in the viscosity of the substance is observed, which, however, after heating to 300 °C, becomes fluid.

Other properties of sulfur:

Practically does not conduct heat and electricity.

Does not dissolve when immersed in water.

Soluble in ammonia, which has an anhydrous structure.

It is also soluble in carbon disulfide and other organic solvents.

TO characteristics of the element sulfur it is important to add chemical features. She is active in this regard. If sulfur is heated, it can simply combine with almost any chemical element.

The photo shows a sulfur sample mined in Uzbekistan

Except for inert gases. In contact with metals, chem. the element forms sulfides. Room temperature encourages the element to react with. Increased temperature increases the activity of sulfur.

Consider how the behavior of sulfur with individual substances:

With metals - is an oxidizing agent. Forms sulfides.

With hydrogen - at high temperatures - up to 200 ° C, an active interaction occurs.

With oxygen. Combinations of oxides are formed at temperatures up to 280 °C.

With phosphorus, carbon - is an oxidizing agent. Only in the absence of air during the reaction.

With fluorine - manifests itself as a reducing agent.

With substances having a complex structure - also as a reducing agent.

Deposits and extraction of sulfur

The main source for obtaining sulfur is its deposits. In general, there are 1.4 billion tons of reserves of this substance all over the world. It is mined both by open and underground mining methods, and by smelting from underground.

In the photo, sulfur mining in the Kawa Ijen volcano

If the latter case applies, then water is used, which is superheated and sulfur is melted with it. In poor ores, the element is contained in approximately 12%. The rich - 25% or more.

Common types of deposits:

Stratiform - up to 60%.

Salt dome - up to 35%.

Volcanogenic - up to 5%.

The first type is associated with strata bearing the name sulfate-carbonate. At the same time, ore bodies that have a thickness of up to several tens of meters and with a size of up to hundreds of meters are located in sulfate rocks.

Also, these reservoir deposits can be found among rocks of sulfate and carbonate origin. The second type is characterized by gray deposits, which are confined to salt domes.

The latter type is associated with volcanoes that have a young and modern structure. In this case, the ore element has a sheet-like, lenticular shape. It may contain sulfur in the amount of 40%. This type of deposit is common in the Pacific volcanic belt.

Sulfur deposit in Eurasia is located in Turkmenistan, in the Volga region and other places. Sulfur rocks are found near the left banks of the Volga, which stretch from Samara. The width of the rock band reaches several kilometers. At the same time, they can be found right up to Kazan.

In the photo, sulfur in the rock

In Texas and Louisiana in the roofs of salt domes are found great amount sulfur. Especially beautiful Italians of this element are found in Romagna and Sicily. And on the island of Vulcano they find monoclinic sulfur. An element that was oxidized with pyrite was found in the Urals in the Chelyabinsk region.

For prey sulfur chemical element use different methods. It all depends on the condition of its occurrence. At the same time, of course, special attention is paid to safety.

Since hydrogen sulfide accumulates along with sulfur ore, it is necessary to take any method of extraction very seriously, because this gas is poisonous to humans. Sulfur also tends to ignite.

Most often they use the open method. So with the help of excavators, significant parts of the rocks are removed. Then, with the help of explosions, the ore part is crushed. Lumps are sent to the factory for enrichment. Then - to the sulfur smelting plant, where sulfur is obtained from the concentrate.

The photo shows sulfur in the port, brought by sea

In the case of deep sulfur deposits in many volumes, the Frasch method is used. Sulfur melts while still underground. Then, like oil, it is pumped out through a punched well. This approach is based on the fact that the element melts easily and has a low density.

Also known is a method of separation in centrifuges. Only this method has a drawback: sulfur is obtained with impurities. And then it is necessary to carry out its additional cleaning.

In some cases, the borehole method is used. Other opportunities for mining sulfur element:

Steam water.

Filtration.

Thermal.

Centrifugal.

Extractive.

Sulfur application

Most of the sulfur that is mined goes to make sulfuric acid. And the role of this substance is very huge in chemical production. It is noteworthy that to obtain 1 ton of sulfur matter, 300 kg of sulfur are needed.

Bengal lights, which glow brightly and have many dyes, are also made using sulfur. The paper industry is another area where a significant part of the mined substance goes.

In the photo, sulfuric ointment

More often sulfur application finds when meeting production needs. Here are some of them:

Use in chemical production.

For the manufacture of sulfites, sulfates.

Manufacture of substances for plant fertilizers.

To get non-ferrous types of metals.

To give steel additional properties.

For the manufacture of matches, materials for explosions and pyrotechnics.

Paints, fibers from artificial materials - are made using this element.

For fabric bleaching.

In some cases sulfur element included in ointments that treat skin diseases.

Sulfur price

By breaking news the need for sulfur is growing rapidly. The cost of a Russian product is $130. For the Canadian version - $ 145. But in the Middle East, prices have risen to $8, resulting in a cost of $149.

The photo shows a large specimen of the sulfur mineral

In pharmacies, you can find sulfur in powdered hammer at a price of 10 to 30 rubles. In addition, it is possible to buy it in bulk. Some organizations offer at a low price to purchase granular technical gas sulfur.

Sulfur (mineral) - often found in native form, forming dense or earthy masses or crystalline aggregates in the form of crystalline drusen, films and deposits. There are also well-formed crystals reaching considerable sizes. Native S.'s crystals belong to the rhombic system (rhombic bipyramid class) and have a pyramidal habit, see fig. No. 1 and 2. Sometimes, due to the uneven development of the planes of the bipyramid, a sphenoid form of crystals is obtained. The most common forms found on S. crystals: the main rhombic bipyramid (111) P, the axes of which are related but:b:from= 0.8138:1:1.9076; in addition: (113)S; (011)n and (001)s. Crystals sometimes coalesce with each other in a twin position. When split, it reveals a characteristic conchoidal fracture. S.'s hardness is insignificant, 1.5-2.5 (on the Mohs scale). Specific gravity 1.9-2.1. The color of native S. is different (from impurities of selenium, arsenic sulfide, organic matter): honey yellow, sulfur yellow, gray and brown. Luster is greasy, approaching diamond. S. is distinguished by strong birefringence, which, in the case of a transparent crystal, can be observed (as in Icelandic spar) directly, without any instruments. optically negative. The plane of the optical axes lies in the brachydiagonal section. optical angle axles 2 r= 69° 40′. For other properties of S. - see the chemical part of the article. Native S. is formed in nature in various ways. Largest Quantities are happening by water from sources and in general waters circulating in the bowels of the earth's crust containing hydrogen sulfide. The latter, when exposed to atmospheric oxygen, is oxidized, forming water and releasing C. Similar sources are formed where there are deposits of gypsum and organic matter. Due to a number of chemical transformations from gypsum, under the action of organic substances and water, hydrogen sulfide is formed, and from the latter - S. The co-occurrence of gypsum, calcareous spar, sulfur sources, S. and organic substances is explained by a similar origin. Sometimes native S. closely adjoins and even takes root in large gypsum crystals. S. for the most part is in the form of veins, nests, zhevlaks in clays, marls and gypsum. These are the most famous deposits of Sicily, Aragon, Croatia, Dagestan, Poland and the Kazan province. The second method of S.'s formation is volcanic. It is deposited along the walls of the crater of volcanoes either as a result of direct sublimation, or as a result of the interaction of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, the presence of which is very common in the products of volcanic activity. S.'s allocation is explained by the equation: 2H 2 S + SO 2 \u003d 2H 2 O + 3S. Finally, apparently, sulfur is also formed in nature in a third way: sulfur compounds of metals during oxidation can release free sulfur. This can explain the joint presence of the latter, for example, with sulfur pyrites (Soymonovskoye deposit in the Urals, Rio Tinto in Spain) . On the amount of S. produced annually and its application -