A Review of the Mineralogy, Petrography, and Geochemistry of Serpentinite from Calabria Regions (Southern Italy): Problem or Georesource?

Serpentinite rocks testify to the ocean-floor metamorphism that took place and transformed original mineralogy fabric of previous ultramafic rocks. Due their tectonic petrological importance, in recent decades, there has been increasing interest serpentinites. From economic point view, it is worth noting that, due beauty attractiveness, serpentinite have exploited traded as building ornamental stones since prehistorical times worldwide. In this work, we provide a comprehensive report petrographic, mineralogical, petrophysical, geochemical features serpentinites cropping out northern sector Calabria–Peloritani Orogen (Italy), where historical quarries are located. Since these for long time employed an excellent material, detailed knowledge may useful tool understand behavior when they materials, predict performances upon emplacement monuments, plan correct restoration by considering provenance lithotypes employed. Moreover, characterization also particularly important because reported from Calabria contain asbestiform other fibrous minerals, testified occurrence chrysotile, tremolite, actinolite asbestos located within veins, which could lead health problems fiber exposure. Finally, be considered potential CO2 sequestration sink.