Mineralogical, Chemical and Physical Properties of Zeolite Minerals in the Maryah Area, Dhamar, Yemen

Natural zeolite minerals are a group of hydrated aluminosilicates known for their unique properties, including ion exchange, adsorption, and catalytic capabilities. This paper aims to delineate the mineralogical, chemical, and physical properties of natural zeolite minerals in the Maryah area, Dhamar, Yemen and highlight their significance in various applications such as agriculture, environment, and industry. The petrographic study indicates that the zeolitization processes occurred due to volcanic glass alteration. Based on the XRD pattern, it was found that the zeolite minerals are clinoptilolite and hollandite, which represent most of the mineral content, and they are among the common commercial types due to their various applications. Other minerals found together with zeolites include quartz, plagioclase, smectite, and opal-CT. The geochemical analyses revealed the following content ranges: SiO2: 70.07% to 75.34%, Al2O3: 1.89% to 10.45%, Fe2O3: 2.70% to 10.45%, K2O: 0.76% to 1.84%, CaO: 0.46% to 4.55%, Na2O: 0.74% to 1.20%, and Loss on ignition (LOI): 9.24% to 12.37%. Minor trace elements (B, Cu, Mo, Ag, and Zn) were present in minimal amounts. The Maryah zeolite minerals have a medium cation exchange capacity, ranging from 73.55 to 116.53 meq/100 g, allowing for effective exchange of cations such as Na, K, Ca, and Al. This study concluded that the Maryah zeolite minerals share similar characteristics with many other zeolite deposits worldwide and could be used in various applications, particularly in the agricultural and environmental sectors.