The Coranda-Hondol ore deposit (Certej, Romania) is a sulfide ore deposit that was mined primarily for gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Secondary minerals were formed through a precipitation process from sulfate solutions with a high concentration of dissolved metals (especially Fe). These sulfate solutions resulted from acid mine drainage. Fourteen waste samples were analyzed through Raman spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Fe3+-, Fe2+-, Cu-, Zn-, Ca-, Mg-, and MnAl-hydrated sulfates were identified. All are unstable when exposed to the laser beam of the Raman spectrometer. Coquimbite, copiapite, ferricopiapite, hydroniumjarosite, and gunningite turn into anhydrous forms or oxides, depending on the laser power. Gypsum turns into bassanite, while apjohnite loses all water molecules at 53.6 mW laser power on the surface of the sample. Rhomboclase, melanterite, rozenite, antlerite, and brochantite break down without forming new minerals. Fe2+-sulfates do not change into hematite under laser irradiation. Epsomite and hexahydrite are stable at 53.6 mW laser power.

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