Spongolite: a hollow fibrous mineral from Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

Spongolite from the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, contains the remains of fossil sponges and hollow needles or microcapillaries with uniform surfaces. The central tunnels are similar to1/10 to 1/2 of the cylinder's diameter. The material is essentially X-ray amorphous though it contains small amounts of orthosilicic acids. The other main elements were Ti and Fe. Spongolite may have uses as a sorbent, as a bioavailable silicon source or, after blending with glass waste, it can be used in the fabrication of lightweight products having a closed-cell structure, potentially useful as an industrial insulator.