Pyrite Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: bonsaikiptb When pyrite is struck against metal or a hard surface, it creates a spark. Attrib: westy559 Attrib-ShareAlike: matthewvenn Pyrite is also known as fools gold. Gold is much softer than pyrite. Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: wiccked Attrib-NoCom-NoDerivs: Maitri Pyrite often forms a cubic crystal structure. GNU Pyrite is found as a vein deposit Attrib-NoCom-NoDerivs: skylarprimm Vein pyrite may reveal the presence of other valuable minerals, such as chalcopyrite and gold. Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: FarcePest Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: Ron Schott Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: Steve took it as an accessory component of igneous and metamorphic rocks Attrib-NoCom: niallkennedy Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: Ron Schott Discs of pyrite (actually marcasite) are found in sedimentary rocks. These are often crumbly, but still they are just fools gold! Attrib-NoCom: cobalt123 Attrib-NoCom-NoDerivs: courgettelawn These discs precipitate out of water saturated with iron and sulfur. or as a replacement mineral in sedimentary rock. Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: wiccked Attrib-NoCom: Subliminally Obvious Pyrite can replace organic materials, as it did in these ammonites. This is similar to the way petrified wood is made, only here the replacement material is pyrite instead of quartz. In the recent past, pyrite was mined as a sulfur source for sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), an essential commodity for the chemical industry. Attrib-NoCom-NoDerivs: tridymite Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: bcostin This pyrite-rich sandstone is growing sulfur crystals. As water moves past the pyrite it takes up sulfur, and then deposits it when the rock is exposed to air. Coal, a sedimentary rock, often contains pyrite. Attrib-NoCom: Indiana Stan Pyrite is the major source of sulfur emissions in coal and petroleum. Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: Ron Schott Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: vphill Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: bcostin Attrib-ShareAlike: savethewildup When coal is mined, the pyrite reacts with the air and water to form sulfuric acid that drains out of the mine and into creeks. The burning of coal and/or petroleum creates massive amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) which reacts with atmospheric water and oxygen to produce sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ). Attrib-NoCom-NoDerivs: kh Attrib: Little Bitty Tam Sulfuric acid combines with water to create acid rain. Acid rain can damage building stones and monuments, cause a decline in natural lake systems and, in some areas, even pose a significant risk to human health. Attrib-NoCom-NoDerivs: s.e.rider Attrib-NoCom: trueclearlight Pyrite Attrib-NoCom-ShareAlike: bonsaikiptb Creative Commons Attribution means: You let others copy, distribute, display, and perform your copyrighted work - and derivative works based upon it - but only if they give you credit. Noncommercial means: You let others copy, distribute, display, and perform your work - and derivative works based upon it - but for noncommercial purposes only. No Derivative Works means: You let others copy, distribute, display, and perform only verbatim copies of your work, not derivative works based upon it. Share Alike means: You allow others to distribute derivative works only under a license identical to the license that governs your work. (credit: Attribution Noncommercial Share Alike Attribution Attribution No Derivative works Attribution Share Alike Attribution Noncommercial No Derivative works Types of media rights ownership (none) Public domain Copyright. All rights reserved