Meisserite

Meisserite
General
Category Sulfate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)		 Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O)
Crystal system Triclinic
Unit cell a=5.32, b=11.51, c=13.56 [Å], α=102.96o, β=97.41o, γ=91.46o (approximated)
Identification
Color Pale green to yellowish-green
Crystal habit prismatic
Crystal symmetry Triclinic - Pinacoidal (1)
Cleavage {100} and {001}, fair
Tenacity Very brittle
Mohs scale hardness 2
Luster Vitreous
Streak Very pale yellow
Diaphaneity Translucent to transparent
Density 3.21 (calculated) (approximated)
Optical properties Biaxal (-)
Refractive index nα=1.51, nβ=1.55, nγ=1.56 (approximated)
Pleochroism Colorless (X), pale yellow (Y), pale greenish-yellow (Z)
2V angle 60o
Dispersion Weak
Other characteristics Radioactive
References [1][2][3]

Meisserite is a very rare uranium mineral with the formula Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O).[1][2] It is interesting in being a natural uranyl salt with hydrosulfate (hydroxysulfate) anion, a feature shared with belakovskiite.[4] Other chemically related minerals include fermiite, oppenheimerite, natrozippeite and plášilite.[5][6][7][8] Most of these uranyl sulphate minerals was originally found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA.[9]The mineral is named after Swiss mineralogist Nicolas Meisser.[3]

Association and origin

Meisserite is associated with other sulfate minerals: belakovskiite, johannite, chalcanthite, copiapite, ferrinatrite, and gypsum.[1]It is resulting from post-mining oxidation of the primary uranium mineral - uraninite.[3]

Crystal structure

The crystal structure of meisserite is unique. The building elements include:[1]

These elements link to form chains. Sodium cations are bonded to oxygen atoms in chains, to hydrosulfate groups and water.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Plášil, J., Kampf, A.R., Kasatkin, A.V., and Marty, J., Škoda, R., Silva, S., and Čejka, J., 2013. Meisserite, Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O), a new uranyl sulfate mineral from the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA. Mineralogical Magazine 77(7), 2975-2978
  2. 1 2 "Belakovskiite: Belakovskiite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  3. 1 2 3 "Meisserite - Handbook of Mineralogy" (PDF). Handbookofmineralogy.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  4. ↑ "Belakovskiite: Belakovskiite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  5. ↑ "Fermiite: Fermiite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  6. ↑ "Oppenheimerite: Oppenheimerite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  7. ↑ "Natrozippeite: Natrozippeite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  8. ↑ "Plášilite: Plášilite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  9. ↑ "Blue Lizard Mine, Chocolate Drop, Red Canyon, White Canyon District, San Juan Co., Utah, USA - Mindat.org". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
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