Evidence for the chalcophile nature of iodine

Despite some evidence for the chalcophile behaviour of iodine, it is generally reported as being a lithophile element. High values of iodine have been found in some ore minerals and sulphide-containing carbonatites, suggesting a chalcophile nature. On the evidence of cold-water-soluble iodine contents of sulphide minerals it is suggested that in most cases at least 75% of the total iodine is strongly bound in these minerals.