Abstract - Pyrite and pyrrhotite are common sulfide minerals within most rock types. Potential deleterious effects associated with using or building upon bedrock, fill material, or concrete aggregate containing these minerals include heaving of floors or foundations or causing concrete to crack. This presentation provides an overview of the mineralogy and geological occurrences of pyrite and pyrrhotite and the geochemical and environmental factors that contribute to the deleterious effects sometimes associated with these minerals.
AUTHOR/PRESENTER: Dr. Christopher R. Kelson, Ph.D., PG, Senior Geologist, Atlantic Testing Laboratories
Dr. Christopher R. Kelson, Senior Geologist for Atlantic Testing Laboratories, holds a Ph.D. in Geology and is a licensed Professional Geologist in New York State. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the New York State Council of Professional Geologists and an Adjunct Professor of Geology in the University of Maryland System. He has over 25 years combined years of experience within the precious metals mining industry and construction materials industry, over 30 years of teaching and research experience at seven different universities, and has also worked for the Utah Geological Survey. His specialties include petrography, geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology, geochronology, and economic geology with particular interest in optical mineralogy/petrography and geochemistry with respect to concrete, rocks, and minerals. Dr. Kelson earned his Bachelor’s Degree (Geology, 1994) from the University of Utah, Master’s Degree (Geology, 1999) from Brigham Young University, and Ph.D. (Geology, 2006) from the University of Georgia. He is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah and currently resides in Potsdam, New York.