Caratterizzazione mineralogico-petrografica dell’anidrite di Pagiriai(Kaunas, Lituania) al fine di un possibile utilizzo come pietra ornamentale

n this work we will discuss about the evaporitic depositsof Pagiriai, located in the district of Kaunas, in Lithuania. Themineralogical and petrographic characteristics of this material and its behaviorunder different degradation agents will be discussed with the purpose to evaluate its possible use as ornamental stone. Characterization has been performed with a series ofanalytical methodologies, including optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, scanningelectron microscopy (using backscattered electrons to obtain high-resolution images and EDS detector for chemical analysis), confocal microscopyand micro-Raman spectroscopy. Aging testsincluded the exposure to sunlight in combination with soakingcycles, and the exposure tothermal cyclesin a water vapor saturated environment.During the tests, the behaviorof three different resins commonly used as stone consolidators were also evaluated to understand whether they are compatible with this type of ornamental stone.