Ichnusaite
| Ichnusaite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Molybdate minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Th(MoO4)2•3H2O |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic - prismatic (point group 2/m) |
| Unit cell | a=9.68, b=10.38, c=9.38 [Å], β=90.00o (approximated) |
| Identification | |
| Color | Colorless |
| Crystal symmetry | Monoclinic, space group P21/b |
| Cleavage | {100}, perfect |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Luster | Pearly adamantine |
| References | [1][2][3] |
Ichnusaite is a very rarely found mineral.[2] Ichnusaite is a natural compound of thorium and molybdenum with the formula Th(MoO4)2·3H2O. It was discovered in Su Seinargiu, Sarroch, Cagliari, Sardegna, Italy in 2013.[1]
This locality is also a place of discovery of the second natural thorium molybdate - nuragheite.[4]
Occurrence and association
Muscovite, nuragheite, and xenotime-(Y) are the associates of ichnusaite.[1]
Notes on chemistry
Ichnusaite is chemically pure.[1]
Crystal structure
The main features of the crystal structure of ichnusaite are:[1]
- electroneutral Th(MoO4)2(H2O)2 (100) sheets
- ThO7(H2O)2 and MoO4 polyhedra polymerize to give the above sheets
- sheets are stacked along [100] and held by hydrogen bonds
Bibliography
- Orlandi, P., Biagioni, C., Bindi, L. und Nestola, F. (2013) Ichnusaite, IMA 2013- 087. CNMNC Newsletter No. 18, December 2013, page 3255; Mineralogical Magazine, 77, 3249-325
- http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/result.php?mineral=Ichnusaite
- http://ammin.geoscienceworld.org/content/99/10/2089
- https://arpi.unipi.it/handle/11568/638691#.Vr93OUKuAt4
- http://www.degruyter.com/dg/viewarticle/j$002fammin.2014.99.issue-10$002fam-2014-4844$002fam-2014-4844.xml
- http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35569659
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Orlandi, Paolo; Biagioni, Cristian; Bindi, Luca; Nestola, Fabrizio (2014-10-01). "Ichnusaite, Th(MoO4)2·3H2O, the first natural thorium molybdate: Occurrence, description, and crystal structure". American Mineralogist 99 (10): 2089–2094. doi:10.2138/am-2014-4844. ISSN 0003-004X.
- 1 2 "Ichnusaite- Mindat.org". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
- ↑ Mineralienatlas
- ↑ "Nuragheite - Mindat.org". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
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